[conswaygo]

Still very surprised Car Keys isn't getting the love it deserves.

[Calamity Pete]

awesome wrote:

hey now, smiley smile (+smile sessions), sunflower, and surf's up are all stellar

Agree except I feel like Surf's Up is pretty overrated. A couple great tracks (the title track of course), however i have no interest in listening to Mike Love doing a version of riot in cell block no. 9 about the Kent State shootings.

ok cause that had nothing to do with TS i'll add something: the electric piano-y sounding synth chords on dragon slayer has really grown on me. It kind of almost sounds like a mark motherbaugh sound, like peewee music. I like how they managed to work some of the quirky sounds that mightve made PW overbearing for some people into more relaxed compositions.

conswaygo wrote:

Still very surprised Car Keys isn't getting the love it deserves.

its probably my second or 3rd favorite track on the whole thing. i fucking love it

[meemo]

conswaygo wrote:

Still very surprised Car Keys isn't getting the love it deserves.

This is the one that exceeded my expectations the most. I always liked it and was hopeful it could be great from the boots, but they did everything I could imagine and more in the recording.

Can't wait for the hq, as We Go Back has now shown there is a tremendous amount of detail to be gained yet

[evan6032]

conswaygo wrote:

Still very surprised Car Keys isn't getting the love it deserves.

I’m surprised that car keys is the track that has been consistently stuck in my head

[dio]

Car Keys is such a wild 2nd track. I didnt believe that initial link of WAV forms with Car Keys as 2nd. They've never done a 2nd song like it, Hocus Pocus is mmmmmaybe close but not really. Its a naughty lil boy of a track

[BORCHENKO??]

I gotta get my ears checked or something cause the loud ass synth line in the left channel of Car Keys ruins the entire song for me and apparently I'm the only one who's bothered by it

[dio]

I used to think at least one of the synths (the buzzier one) was ugly as sin, but idk its grown on me. Whole thing fits this mechanistic, steampunk, junk yard aesthetic. There's like a 3rd synth now? Or its samples Geo triggers? So right off the bat you get these 3 gnarly, kind of decidedly un-pretty synth lines, but I like the weird little combination

[foxtrot]

Synth doesn’t seem that loud to me at all and totally works in the song.

[destiny]

Oh fuck we go back music video HQ quality im about tofgdsklfdakf

[Cooper]

Yes Dio this is AC’s steampunk album. It totally pastoral but also with that 2005 dry modern AC feel. Like if old magic could comment on modern technology. Finally listening to this out loud on a speaker, this might be their best album ever. Their production hasn’t been this approachable and tangible since the OG pre-sung tongs days

[wilandhugs]

dio wrote:

I used to think at least one of the synths (the buzzier one) was ugly as sin, but idk its grown on me. Whole thing fits this mechanistic, steampunk, junk yard aesthetic. There's like a 3rd synth now? Or its samples Geo triggers? So right off the bat you get these 3 gnarly, kind of decidedly un-pretty synth lines, but I like the weird little combination

Totally, but it also feels like it's kinda muddy and rainy as well. Grey skies. A wet approach to a dry environment.

I know you keep referring to Passerby like a desert, but I see it as a huge damp cave honestly. If we're gonna swing back to XTC comparisons, as much as I thought this was gonna be like English Settlement, it reminds me more of Mummer (although more concise, less fluff, more emotion and feeling). In Loving Memory of a Name, Beating of Hearts, Love on a Farmboy's Wages, all have that sorta niceness that's undercut by social commentary, but then I see Car Keys like Deliver us From the Elements (which is a super underrated song) that has that snarl to it and is more immediately primal. Although Elements is totally antiquiated and 'cave' sounding(kinda like Passerby too imo), and I agree Car Keys is very steampunky.

[Cooper]

Texture is the standout dimension/mode of time skiffs. How the texture/timbre wraps itself loosely around the rhythm and flows around like a big musty scarf or like tall grass on a windy hill, but dirtier. So I guess movement is also a star ingredient

[destiny]

We go back music vid is just phenominal. Honestly the best MV they've had. Thinking back to our conversation on music videos.

This song is fucking amazing. I can't wait for the 4th. This album just sounds amazing. This is so good in a different way I thought it would be good.

[Cooper]

Sorry for the spamz

I’m realizing AC have been essentially rhythm-based songwriters since MPP. Every song seems to be best understood while standing on the perch of the beat

You can really sit back w a bag of popcorn and observe the infinite variety of the production on this album

Outro of Cherokee is the best outro on the album

[Hellomark]

Yeah this is probably their best video ever. And We Go Back is a great song, maybe my favorite drumming on the album. My one small gripe is that it feels like they're kind of rushing through the last section, on the boots it felt more stretched out. But that just feels like something I'll get used to with time.

[KidEatsKeyboard]

wilandhugs wrote:

Totally, but it also feels like it's kinda muddy and rainy as well. Grey skies. A wet approach to a dry environment.

100% feel this. Since the boots I've considered these rainy day songs, especially with stuff like Stride Right, Walker, Dragon Slayer and Prester John. And the Mummer comparison is spot-on too. Partly pastoral, partly medieval, partly overcast, partly junkyard..

[wilandhugs]

Cooper wrote:

Sorry for the spamz

I’m realizing AC have been essentially rhythm-based songwriters since MPP. Every song seems to be best understood while standing on the perch of the beat

That's where I feel the total Panda influence on everything. So so tight. And I always thought Buoys was such a dynamic album in that regard, a song like Token just feels like it's being pushed forward by a buoyant force. Definitely catching glimpses of that sorts of rhythmic sequencing all over Skiffs.

Hellomark wrote:

Yeah this is probably their best video ever. And We Go Back is a great song, maybe my favorite drumming on the album. My one small gripe is that it feels like they're kind of rushing through the last section, on the boots it felt more stretched out. But that just feels like something I'll get used to with time.

It really is their best video, so thematic and celebratory with so much depth to its imagery. I always thought the live WGB ending was a bit too long so I love the conciseness.

[DownthereSwampthing]

wilandhugs wrote:

Totally, but it also feels like it's kinda muddy and rainy as well. Grey skies. A wet approach to a dry environment.

Ok that is great to hear because the forecast is calling for rain on Friday. My initial plan was to go on a hike to take in the tunes, but now I'm thinking about going on a rainy country drive instead...

[Allatrobles]

dio wrote:

CHZ, PW and sorta TR just getting trashed this cycle. Poor fellers. I love em all the same, like my children. But yes, TS might be more comfortably on par with the Feels->SJ->MPP club. Which is fantastic.

This why I'm so happy the recent AC Discog thread was created. Nothing but love for everything, with the most recent stuff getting extra love as we get so close to release day. We were the counter measure to that bull, and the band could easily swing by and check it out.

I keep saying it but the 4 separate singles, blast sessions, music box footages 4 different music videos (God WGB video is so gnarly, LOVED IT!). They really milked and tailored this roll out for us. Couldn't be happier.

[Stan]

Allatrobles wrote:

Nothing but love for everything.

I actually enjoyed the that it wasn't really that and people were able to express a range of feelings about the different records, rather than a dull plateau of 'it's all great'.

[howsoever]

Power rankings:

1. Cherokee
2. Strung With Everything
3. Car Keys
4. Passer-by
5. Royal and Desire
6. Prester John
7. Dragon Slayer
8. We Go Back
9. Walker

Dragon Slayer would be higher because I legitimately do love it, but the intro that slowly eases in is what makes it for me. I miss it more than the outro on Car Keys honestly. Would’ve been a lovely intro into this world as we got on our skiffs for the journey. (And I don’t love Avey’s new “I know” backing vocal)

Surprised at how much I like Passer-by more now because it was never one of my favorites. The autotune from ‘19 was beautiful but the soft-spoken outro with the tinge of exhaustion really makes it stand out here

[foxtrot]

the speed/brevity of the intro/outro stuff is something I've just gotten used to I guess. They do it every album. Longer and slower live, then trimmed and buffed for the record. I didn't really get any demoitis because I had already imagined these studio versions in my head I guess.

Agree that part of the joy of the AC discog listening thread was the combination of pure love and also some really meaty critical discussion. Key takeaway being that this band offers so much to explore and dig deep into, whether you love all of it or not.

interesting reading the images that spring to people's minds with TS.

for me it really feels like a pristine lake with various objects floating, bobbling and skimming across its surface.

just watched WGB video and it is BY FAR the best AC vid. never really like their film clips but this was brilliant. also closer to the way I 'see' AC than anything they've done before.

[DrasticK]

I NEED TO HEAR CHEROKEES

boost me please ♥♥

[Hellomark]

I'm really hoping I'll get into Dragon Slayer more when we get the digital files. It's was one of my favorites from the boots but this version is honestly pretty far from what I was imagining. I really like the way the vocal harmonies in the chorus sound, but there's so much going on during that section I can barely hear certain elements that were much more prominent live. Mixed feelings on the autoharp. And as many have said, it would work a lot better with a more gradual intro.

[Allatrobles]

Stan wrote:

Allatrobles wrote:

Nothing but love for everything.

I actually enjoyed the that it wasn't really that and people were able to express a range of feelings about the different records, rather than a dull plateau of 'it's all great'.

Agreed, but it was a place for people to give those records an honest chance and myself, like others, found new respect for some of that stuff. That's more of a chance any of these pro reviewers are giving them. Then again they don't have the time to spend months microdosing their catalog.

[unrecordednight]

Jam wrote:

YouTube played this survey ad before the video and the first notes had me so confused

omg lol that's a weird coincidence

[foxtrot]

WHOA that's fucking Matrix shit

[unrecordednight]

so it sounds like the we go back lryics are very clearly about their relationship to their old songs/reinterpreting and playing their old jams live/fans wanting to hear old songs etc, pretty neat

[foxtrot]

yeh that's super cool. not one that i had focussed on the lyrics for yet

i'm really into the quick start now. a few listens in and i love how Slayer just leaps in and immerses you in the album immediately. just immediate visuals of sun glinting on gentling oscillating waves on a beautiful body of water.

FUCKING HELL THIS WHOLE ALBUM IS JUST ABSOLUTE BLISS

the whole thing just twinkles and sparkles with such overwhelming beauty and clarity

the 320 is going to completely reduce me to a blubbering mess

[meemo]

has anyone posted this yet? pretty good but short review:

https://northerntransmissions.com/anima ... me-skiffs/

[wilandhugs]

unrecordednight wrote:

so it sounds like the we go back lryics are very clearly about their relationship to their old songs/reinterpreting and playing their old jams live/fans wanting to hear old songs etc, pretty neat

Interesting perspective, I thought of it as embracing the past as part of your identity, and understanding introspection influences our worldview. Nice meta take

[foxtrot]

Is this the moment that AC have truly transcended? Reached Nirvana?

I can hear EVERYTHING in this album.

Everything about this album feels completely above and beyond mortality. Totally effortless. Rejuvenating and redemptive and accepting and empathetic. This album has a divinity and benevolence to it that is just wiping away everything that has challenged me over the last few years and reducing it all to a state of serenity and willing acceptance. The quiet euphoria, the living and breathing climax of Cherokee perfectly demonstrates this.

A magnificently rendered representation of the oneness of everything. Strung With Everything. Everything connected and unified. Humanity, nature, death, rebirth, the cosmos, everything.

I am clearly losing my mind to this album in the best possible way.

[curleyswirley]

Car Keys is just nuts isn't it, didn't watch any boots of it from the '19 tours so when I watched the p4k fest livestream and it was the first new one they played I was like oohoho hello there!! It's a generous song I think, lots going on. Love love love the "What are we gonna do/How are we gonna know" pre-chorus. Best band.

[mildew_on_rice]

fav track so far is Pee Pee by Beach Boys on Acid from their album Poo Poo. Good stuff.

[AmadeooedamA]

https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/an ... me-skiffs/
I think this has already been posted but wow, one of the worst reviews i've ever read

[blindmowing]

foxtrot wrote:

Is this the moment that AC have truly transcended? Reached Nirvana?

I can hear EVERYTHING in this album.

Everything about this album feels completely above and beyond mortality. Totally effortless. Rejuvenating and redemptive and accepting and empathetic. This album has a divinity and benevolence to it that is just wiping away everything that has challenged me over the last few years and reducing it all to a state of serenity and willing acceptance. The quiet euphoria, the living and breathing climax of Cherokee perfectly demonstrates this.

A magnificently rendered representation of the oneness of everything. Strung With Everything. Everything connected and unified. Humanity, nature, death, rebirth, the cosmos, everything.

I am clearly losing my mind to this album in the best possible way.

totally.

this is an embodied effort. it feels cared for, intentionally, as parents do for their children.

i think intentionally, being the Album AC Recorded Remotely, they tried hard to craft these songs to be their blood, bone and guts. the arms of Panda's drums are reaching across the ocean toward Avey's bass which thumps over Deakin's keys, all of which is swept up and twirled through Geo's soundscapes. i think somehow, these four friends' attempt at connecting with one another through sound and music is heard on this record, and i think the mixing/mastering team has to be credited also for how well they've managed to bring space to each layer yet also glue it together.

can't wait to hear this thing in lossless because i know i'm missing a lot here, but the overriding emotion and intention of this record shines through this vinyl rip. this album shows a band drifting contentedly across the rivers of their experiences, and with (often) muted ecstasy expressing their lived-in and cared-for lives to us. it's a gift.

[Ethmin]

unrecordednight wrote:

Jam wrote:

YouTube played this survey ad before the video and the first notes had me so confused

omg lol that's a weird coincidence

this is honestly incredible lol

[dio]

^lmao. If We Go Back retired and moved to Florida

[foxtrot]

blindmowing wrote:

foxtrot wrote:

Is this the moment that AC have truly transcended? Reached Nirvana?

I can hear EVERYTHING in this album.

Everything about this album feels completely above and beyond mortality. Totally effortless. Rejuvenating and redemptive and accepting and empathetic. This album has a divinity and benevolence to it that is just wiping away everything that has challenged me over the last few years and reducing it all to a state of serenity and willing acceptance. The quiet euphoria, the living and breathing climax of Cherokee perfectly demonstrates this.

A magnificently rendered representation of the oneness of everything. Strung With Everything. Everything connected and unified. Humanity, nature, death, rebirth, the cosmos, everything.

I am clearly losing my mind to this album in the best possible way.

totally.

this is an embodied effort. it feels cared for, intentionally, as parents do for their children.

i think intentionally, being the Album AC Recorded Remotely, they tried hard to craft these songs to be their blood, bone and guts. the arms of Panda's drums are reaching across the ocean toward Avey's bass which thumps over Deakin's keys, all of which is swept up and twirled through Geo's soundscapes. i think somehow, these four friends' attempt at connecting with one another through sound and music is heard on this record, and i think the mixing/mastering team has to be credited also for how well they've managed to bring space to each layer yet also glue it together.

can't wait to hear this thing in lossless because i know i'm missing a lot here, but the overriding emotion and intention of this record shines through this vinyl rip. this album shows a band drifting contentedly across the rivers of their experiences, and with (often) muted ecstasy expressing their lived-in and cared-for lives to us. it's a gift.

so true. love the idea of their efforts to connect having a direct consequence on how the album turned out.

also, "drifting contentedly across the rivers of their experiences" is such a perfect description of the album and my current state of mind.

[Sputnik Monroe]

AmadeooedamA wrote:

https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/animal-collective-time-skiffs/
I think this has already been posted but wow, one of the worst reviews i've ever read

Yeah, it is bad. They must have gotten the bathroom flacs, because how can you begin to describe the melodies and harmonies as muddy? Like, you can say you don't like this type of music, but describing it that way is just dishonest.