[destiny]

I can't describe the absolute way I get fucked up listening to the high pitched vocals during the Just a frightened mother part. Like wow it gets me so sad

[Fovrodi]

Need to revisit that and Incredible String Band in general. Air is probably the only song I can muster by name

bullseye wrote:

Fovrodi wrote:

Took a bath and listened to this with some coffee. Struck me as closest they've come to The Incredible String Band

You might wanna check out a record called sung tongs

You might wanna check out a record called Eucalyptus

[DownthereSwampthing]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. Y'all seem to really be enjoying how studio Defeat came out. However, it's just not doing it for me like it is for so many others here. At least not now.

There are absolutely things I am loving about the studio version (now the definitive version), like the incredible build up and release to Part 2. "Crawling from the serpent in the water, the mirror, the what have we become!?" is candy to my ears. The ending as well. "Isn't it noooowwww...," sounds about as huge and tragic as I could have ever hoped for. The sound palate is so good and is mixed so finely.

Otherwise... oh no... am I completely alone in thinking Part 1 is just a massive 8 minute bore? I don't remember feeling that way the two times I saw Defeat performed live. I remember feeling entranced, transported, and deeply emotionally connected with the music. Something about this version just isn't capturing the same magic. Is it the distracting kick drum? The corny flute playing? The weirdly spaced out lyrical delivery? I'm not a musician so it's difficult for me to say. I so badly want to vibe with this section, but have been finding it utterly un-vibable on every listen (including the digital release, not just the vinyl rip). I'm also not vibing with some of Part 3, but consider that section to be more a mixed bag, where some choices work better than others.

At this point, I either want my brain fixed or would appreciate a bit of affirmation by someone, anyone else in this forum. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Again, this is just my subjective take. I'm not trying to sour the mood. I like that people are liking it.

EDIT: But damn is that album art not fantastic!

[lightbulb]

I don't understand how they can make a 22 minutes song and make it so fucking entertaining and engaging, how do they do it?

[blindmowing]

Those are very viable points, DtS. For me, the first part is almost entirely about getting lost in Avey's lyrics/the narrative/emotion. The music is just a conduit for enhancing the meaning and the emotion. I also find Deakin's keys in the first section absolutely entrancing.

[destiny]

I think it sounds almost identical to the live version so I can't see any of your points. Maybe just give it some time. The harmonies came out so great imo and I love the vocal effects

[Stan]

Perhaps the best 'live-sounding' vocals they've ever recorded. It's right up there with Street Flash and Safer. This is ultimate top tier AC. The harmonies and little changes to the vocalisations, the textures of different vocals. It's absolutely staggering how good the vocals are. Bits of Feels, bits of Water Curses, bits of MPP, pretty much the best of the best.

The swelling organs and strings/sax/I don't know sound like deep breaths. The way the swells seem to build almost to suffocation in the 'Defeat' delivery and then...deep breath and stillness. The modular synth lines throughout seem like what they've been working towards in this whole elongated era, the best of new Deak.

The middle section is fantastic, there's a kind of buzzy horn doubling the bass, sounds like a sticky kazoo. The synth lines there are also wonderful, giving another higher melody dancing around Noah's more insistent delivery. They absolutely nailed that section and - yes - it is about the melody. I love Dave's delivery of the lower harmony, sounds very live. The alto harmony/main melody also sounds bursting with life.

Then that final section... Get to absolute fuck.

Once had...Once had... Instant tears.

The soaring harmonies, the very low Dave harmonies and almost sobbing delivery, like they do at their best live. You know what I mean. They did it. They really did it. Finally. It's what I've wanted for years and years.

Even if the album is no good, even if they bunt a few more live favourites in the years to come, even if this is their last ever record, they nailed Defeat.

I'll be forever grateful for that.

[DownthereSwampthing]

FEEL ON1NE!!! wrote:

I think it sounds almost identical to the live version so I can't see any of your points. Maybe just give it some time. The harmonies came out so great imo and I love the vocal effects

I definitely will give it time. If I didn't, I surely wouldn't appreciate half of what this band has to offer.

I do think think at least some of what's bugging me are unique to this version, such as the kick drum and flute. They are taking me away from the synth and vocals, which is what I want to get lost in. Seems small, but it's a minimal arrangement, so every layer matters.

I will give it time. Would love to hear things differently.

EDIT: Just checked and kick drum *is* in the live sets, but was never on my radar.

[blindmowing]

<3

Great post, Stan. Loved reading that. Agree completely.

[Stan]

<3

[headroom)))]

Hellomark wrote:

Fovrodi wrote:

Took a bath and listened to this with some coffee. Struck me as closest they've come to The Incredible String Band

I was thinking this! It progresses in a way that feels very similar to some like A Very Cellular Song. Funny I never really made the connection with the boots.

"And I love you but The AC loves you the best!... I got a big big big heart beat!"

[Cooper]

Not a time to be ungrateful but this is making me so mad that we don’t have a studio version of the Glasslands epic four parter

[rohcti]

Goodbye "Defeat vinyl rip.mp3"... You served us well

[hybrination]

having only heard live version once (live in person) and having been in a bit of a lull in my appreciation for animal collective in general, i listened to this and got chills, especially when the middle part came in

[hybrination]

it made me feel again why i love animal collective to begin with

[unrecordednight]

defeat is damn near perfect, but after being happy avey included one of the little 'yups' i was then sad when there wasn't any "i see you!" during the middle part lol

[Avey Tane]

blindmowing wrote:

<3

Great post, Stan. Loved reading that. Agree completely.

Stan is cringe and chuegy. Text "Avey Tane won the argument" to 101551320 if you agree

[speen]

i love that the “yup.” is in the studio version

[kafkaesque]

FEEL ON1NE!!! wrote:

I can't describe the absolute way I get fucked up listening to the high pitched vocals during the Just a frightened mother part. Like wow it gets me so sad

for real. this part is what fucking gets me. chills all over. the vocal effects they use here with that eerie yet gorgeous violin in the background is just fucking perfect.

[foxtrot]

About to give my first listen. Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts here after.

have to say though - I desperately hope this is still included on the next album. It's too good to be left as a 'single'.

[speen]

this is like the grand finale to AC’s music, i feel like i hear touches of every album in this song

[kafkaesque]

foxtrot wrote:

About to give my first listen. Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts here after.

have to say though - I desperately hope this is still included on the next album. It's too good to be left as a 'single'.

it's confirmed on the next album - not to worry...

[foxtrot]

kafkaesque wrote:

foxtrot wrote:

About to give my first listen. Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts here after.

have to say though - I desperately hope this is still included on the next album. It's too good to be left as a 'single'.

it's confirmed on the next album - not to worry...

FUCK YES!

And holy flaming testicles of a bison this shit is exactly as it should be and one of their greatest achievements ever and the culmination of everything that is incredible about them and the studio version is absolutely perfect and does everything any of us could have ever hoped staying true to the live versions with just enough polish and embellishment to kick the whole thing up a notch and i am so grateful and emotional and excited right now that im not even able to construct sentences of any worth

[Cooper]

Can’t believe how hacky sack-90s-tie dye-coded the middle section is. It sounds like a love-in festival for new age Dead heads

[BoomCheese]

Saferintheflowers wrote:

BoomCheese wrote:

Could I please get a PM?

Also what is the go with this? Didn't see an asnwer on previous pages. Did they just randomly send the single to people? Was it related to those who ordered Spirit? Will this single be released in stores?

did you still need it?

All good, thanks!

[foxtrot]

Really need people around here to gush with

I have listened to this thing 5 times this morning and it just feels like something special ya know

[evan6032]

foxtrot wrote:

Really need people around here to gush with

I have listened to this thing 5 times this morning and it just feels like something special ya know

I listened to the live versions so much for months and then backed away from
It. Was expecting to be somewhat underwhelmed by the eventual studio version. But damn it just hits like a freight train. So beautiful, their magnum opus as far as I’m concerned. So many of the lyrics just get me every time. I can’t stop listening and already ordered the 12”

[pox]

felt kinda muted about the vinyl rip. basically liked everything about it but wasn't head over heels. the official version whips though. it's well mixed, every detail shines, the vocals pop, it's alive. it's always tested my patience a bit, and it still does at times, but it feels right. this song goes along at its own pace and urges you to slow down and take it in. and there's plenty to take in so it's hard to complain.

[foxtrot]

evan6032 wrote:

foxtrot wrote:

Really need people around here to gush with

I have listened to this thing 5 times this morning and it just feels like something special ya know

I listened to the live versions so much for months and then backed away from
It. Was expecting to be somewhat underwhelmed by the eventual studio version. But damn it just hits like a freight train. So beautiful, their magnum opus as far as I’m concerned. So many of the lyrics just get me every time. I can’t stop listening and already ordered the 12”

Absolutely. It feels so live but has the clarity of a studio version. None of the emotional weight is lost but lots of fantastic little details are gained. And the lyrics are perfect. Love how the serpent thing is there from the start. Gives the whole thing a narrative. Ultimate mid life reflection song for me.

pox wrote:

felt kinda muted about the vinyl rip. basically liked everything about it but wasn't head over heels. the official version whips though. it's well mixed, every detail shines, the vocals pop, it's alive. it's always tested my patience a bit, and it still does at times, but it feels right. this song goes along at its own pace and urges you to slow down and take it in. and there's plenty to take in so it's hard to complain.

I love that they didn't compromise or edit things down for the studio version. they understood how important it was for the whole thing to stand tall and have the space it needed. So many times (MPP in particular) songs have been edited down in studio for more punch or whatever. often for good reason. but this thing needed to stay in its full glory.

[Saferintheflowers]

DownthereSwampthing wrote:

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. Y'all seem to really be enjoying how studio Defeat came out. However, it's just not doing it for me like it is for so many others here. At least not now.

There are absolutely things I am loving about the studio version (now the definitive version), like the incredible build up and release to Part 2. "Crawling from the serpent in the water, the mirror, the what have we become!?" is candy to my ears. The ending as well. "Isn't it noooowwww...," sounds about as huge and tragic as I could have ever hoped for. The sound palate is so good and is mixed so finely.

Otherwise... oh no... am I completely alone in thinking Part 1 is just a massive 8 minute bore? I don't remember feeling that way the two times I saw Defeat performed live. I remember feeling entranced, transported, and deeply emotionally connected with the music. Something about this version just isn't capturing the same magic. Is it the distracting kick drum? The corny flute playing? The weirdly spaced out lyrical delivery? I'm not a musician so it's difficult for me to say. I so badly want to vibe with this section, but have been finding it utterly un-vibable on every listen (including the digital release, not just the vinyl rip). I'm also not vibing with some of Part 3, but consider that section to be more a mixed bag, where some choices work better than others.

At this point, I either want my brain fixed or would appreciate a bit of affirmation by someone, anyone else in this forum. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Again, this is just my subjective take. I'm not trying to sour the mood. I like that people are liking it.

EDIT: But damn is that album art not fantastic!

don't worry about it. you're definitely not raining on anyone parade. no bug deal if you're not impressed...sometimes it's like that when you just don't get the hype of something. however o definitely disagree with just about everything you feel about the song. .. my forever knack with the song is the middle part. I thought what made the first time hearing it so special was the touge twisting lines he was spilling out during the music box performance. New part has grown on up since but I'm still excited for the release of defeats live version from that night.

[Hellomark]

Whenever Avey does that totally unhinged sounding low voice on "stay grounded like DUUUUUUUH SPRUCE"... so incredible :')

[hatredcopter]

they nailed it

[foxtrot]

yeh the spruce vocal gets me every time. one of those 'nobody sounds like avey' moments

[andthephantom]

Gotta say - it’s impressive that they can make a song that FEELS this much without slipping into melodrama anywhere. Just tough tough tough artistically.

Also: can someone tell me where this famed “yup” is? Like, very specifically - what minute and second? I’ve heard folks talk about it but have no idea what they’re talking about

Last: I just listened to this back to back with the music box version, which I have a lot of attachment to, like everyone. I get tiny moments of wistfulness on the mbv version, mostly around the use of string accompaniments. But the final studio version just surpasses it in every way for me - pacing, soundscape, vocal depth. The move to use Noah’s backing harmonies took it all to a totally different level.

[captainlunatic]

it's the last "the only thing you know"... 8:12

[foxtrot]

8mins 12secs right after 'the only thing you know'.

he did it a lot in the live versions so its a nice little detail to include

[andthephantom]

captainlunatic wrote:

it's the last "the only thing you know"... 8:12

Hahaha - got it. Thanks!

[foxtrot]

is 7 listens in one day too much?

[captainlunatic]

foxtrot wrote:

is 7 listens in one day too much?

Definitely not; that's about what my count was on the second day (was that yesterday already? Time flies when you're addicted to a 22-minute song)

[foxtrot]

kinda crazy to think when you consider that we've both probably heard live versions a hundred times already