[Fovrodi]

Holy goddamn everyone

[foxtrot]

Ha! Listening to Defeat Fov??!

blindmowing wrote:

Just a bit of a long-view perspective post: we really just got AC albums in back to back years. We've known or predicted this would happen ever since Skiffs came out, but now that it's reality, and we've had the chance to hear both it's really hitting me just how special it's been to get full platters from the band in consecutive years. Imagine telling some AC fan in like...2015, when the existence of the band felt kind of tedious just from a logistics standpoint, that in the 2020s we'd get brand new AC albums in back to back years.

wrote:

Skiffs is the clean, bright, pristine album. Tropical, lounge, jazzy, exotica vibes. Psychedelic Pop that glistens. Crystal clear waters with some pithy Americana elements.

Now? nails the whole renaissance fair thing that has been a guiding theme from the start. Woody, autumnal, medieval, folky, psychedelic, mystical vibes. Dry and earthy also with some pithy Americana elements.

This is exactly how I hear the two as well.

I listened to the albums back to back last night and was blown away at the consistent quality of the tunes and the different vibes they give, while still feeling like brothers. They absolutely work back to back and perhaps even mixed up -- I'm going to give it a shot.

I seem to be in the minority that I prefer Gem to Broke, but either way, really happy with Panda's offerings over these two discs.

Been really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts.

I'm about 10 listens in as well, and can tell all those who aren't sold on "Genies"... it's by far the biggest grower on the album for me. I absolutely adore it now. Don't really have the words yet to describe how they nailed every part/decision, why this is the superior version, but ... the restraint is integral to not only the song but the rest of the album, that's all I'll say for now. In the same way it's integral they used the non-glitch version of Broke, and in the same way Kings had to be five minutes long.

Agree with all of this! Very lucky to be getting back to back albums. So many incredible songs coming at us. I haven't listened to both back to back yet but I did give Skiffs a spin yesterday and just loved and appreciated every moment. Like you said, related but quite distinct. Which is pretty much exactly what we'd want right? Something that feels genuine/faithful but that still a progression or a different angle on the songs of the era. It's all just awesome and I'm super grateful.

I too think Genies will grow on the naysayers. The last section works beautifully as a IIN track. Sure it was different live but this is a song about dropping us into IIN's mystical castle and I think the last part of Genies does that well.

Also, I can't separate Broke and Gem. Both solid gold Panda nuggets.

[Fovrodi]

Living in the third act of an Adam Sandler movie rn

[rohcti]

wilandhugs wrote:

I thought I saw someone ask earlier, but clubs sounds like 4/4 to me. Just weird off rhythms.

I thought it was 4/4 and 6/4 alternating

4/4 x 3
6/4 x 2

[foxtrot]

I have no idea what that means but sounds like a profound experience man!


P.S. Also happy to share links while I'm on here if there is one that works.

[Fovrodi]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZJbWLkyG_A&list=PLvbnfUX2Hzn_ymYlEcXE9DWDGh0URFh9w[/youtube]

[glenbeige]

wilandhugs wrote:

I thought I saw someone ask earlier, but clubs sounds like 4/4 to me. Just weird off rhythms.

It's in 9/5

[foxtrot]

rohcti wrote:

wilandhugs wrote:

I thought I saw someone ask earlier, but clubs sounds like 4/4 to me. Just weird off rhythms.

I thought it was 4/4 and 6/4 alternating

feels like this to me

[rohcti]

Feels good for this forum to be moving quick hahaha

Gonna have to be quicker with my ninja edits

[foxtrot]

Ha! Yeh same. Every time I post atm there is another one trying to squeeze in front! Good times.

[foxtrot]

(deleted)

[Fovrodi]

foxtrot wrote:

Ha! Listening to Defeat Fov??!

none of my business

[foxtrot]

My attempt to transcribe as many bits from the first 30 seconds of Soul Capturer as I can pick up:

Noah: ...he climbs out of the woods...
Unknown: the corner... tell you... (unintelligible) ...the 6th day, in the background
Unknown: ...the fall forest...
Dave: let's see what you've got bro
Josh (maybe): is this the one with the lead vocalist?
Noah: that... that means 30 seconds, alright
Josh (maybe): like you're.. i like you, talking about... functional...
Unknown: yeh, just like, just record things naturally
Dave: sylla-bul-bul-bles
Dave (maybe): hay bales
Unknown: if you imagine you're, like
Dave: join us, and have a wonderful day
Noah: I mean, 30 seconds is pretty good right?

Not sure if anyone can improve on this.

[Avey Tane]

This album is so fuckin' cool

[jusswerjk]

Yo can I get a pm?

[Nil_0001]

hedgecore wrote:

I looped a section of the official single for Soul Cap and a section from the freebird (I don't have a link, I'm sorry. check soouulseeek), and i'm pretty sure the freebird is slightly lower quality. Less highs and maybe less depth/more compressed. I'm gonna eat some food and do another blind listen

I feel like this is it. It's definitely not mono at all, the thing is that it has less shine overall. Defeat also sounds muddier, the released single is ten times clearer, so I have to guess it'll sound better on release date. The issues specially affects Genies and Kings, so I won't be surprised if people like them more once they really have their time to scape the muddiness

[dio]

Music major friend says Kings Walk is "parallel fourths" and that they're "wild for that".

[blindmowing]

foxtrot wrote:

My attempt to transcribe as many bits from the first 30 seconds of Soul Capturer as I can pick up:

Noah: ...he climbs out of the woods...
Unknown: the corner... tell you... (unintelligible) ...the 6th day, in the background
Unknown: ...the fall forest...
Dave: let's see what you've got bro
Josh (maybe): is this the one with the lead vocalist?
Noah: that... that means 30 seconds, alright
Josh (maybe): like you're.. i like you, talking about... functional...
Unknown: yeh, just like, just record things naturally
Dave (maybe): hay bales
Unknown: if you imagine you're, like
Dave: join us, and have a wonderful day
Noah: I mean, 30 seconds is pretty good right?

Not sure if anyone can improve on this.

haha nice, you forgot my favorite part -- Dave (?) going "sylla-bul-bul-bles"

[foxtrot]

blindmowing wrote:

foxtrot wrote:

My attempt to transcribe as many bits from the first 30 seconds of Soul Capturer as I can pick up:

Noah: ...he climbs out of the woods...
Unknown: the corner... tell you... (unintelligible) ...the 6th day, in the background
Unknown: ...the fall forest...
Dave: let's see what you've got bro
Josh (maybe): is this the one with the lead vocalist?
Noah: that... that means 30 seconds, alright
Josh (maybe): like you're.. i like you, talking about... functional...
Unknown: yeh, just like, just record things naturally
Dave (maybe): hay bales
Unknown: if you imagine you're, like
Dave: join us, and have a wonderful day
Noah: I mean, 30 seconds is pretty good right?

Not sure if anyone can improve on this.

haha nice, you forgot my favorite part -- Dave (?) going "sylla-bul-bul-bles"

Added that in! Just sounded like garbled nonsense but you're right!

[foxtrot]

Avey Tane wrote:

This album is so fuckin' cool

Best AC release since Monkey Been To Burn Town

[Avey Tane]

Foxtrot you're in ignore list!

[Nil_0001]

rohcti wrote:

Don't get what (some) people aren't hearing with Gem & I. It sounds perfect to me

Same with AtCaB

This this, not sure why some people don't like the tropical tiny panda songs, they're some of my favourites from this era. So playful and cute! Car Keys, Walker, Broke Zodiac, Gem and I, all of them. All the Clubs is so groovy as well, but makes a great job setting itself aside from the panda ones. Not tropical, swampy the way Avry does

[rohcti]

This is what I was hearing, it's definitely hard to hear, maybe there's an easy way to break it down?

Noah: he climbs out of the woods
???: The tall forest
Dave: ??? if the music's there. At that point
Noah:talking about... Functional.
(Someone else talking to him)yeah just... ? Recorded naturally
Dave: ??? See what you got
Dave: is this the one with the weird/lead vocals?
Brian: I feel like that was ... 30 seconds
???: Anybody else...?
???: Sylla bll bll bll bll bllz bzzza?
Josh: can you imagine if like...?
??? (sample?): join us, and have a wonderful day
Brian: I mean 30 seconds, that's pretty good right?

[rohcti]

Idk how to feel about the intro, I guess it's somewhat mysterious but clearly just them talking in the studio lol feels like something the producer just came up with

I think it just catches me off guard with the "30 seconds, that's pretty good right?" then Soul Capturer comes in, idk kinda strange lol

[Alcohol]

I’m abstaining. Who’s with me? Enjoying all the first impressions tho thx for posting. Like being the only sober guy at a tailgate but whatevs. Think I’m most pumped for “All the Clubs.” I’m imagining something in the vein of “Slippi” and “We Tigers” or even “Modern Days E.”

[Nil_0001]

Alcohol wrote:

I’m abstaining. Who’s with me? Enjoying all the first impressions tho thx for posting. Like being the only sober guy at a tailgate but whatevs. Think I’m most pumped for “All the Clubs.” I’m imagining something in the vein of “Slippi” and “We Tigers” or even “Modern Days E.”

If we talk about Slasher, I feel it's closer to strange colores, but less energetic, more groovy, the same way the chorus to MGMTs flash delirium is. Vocals are also more in that MGMT vein

[Jack23]

I love Magicians. I think it's my favorite song ever. Holy moly they nailed it completely. praise the good lord. lol What a freaking banger.

[foxtrot]

rohcti wrote:

Idk how to feel about the intro, I guess it's somewhat mysterious but clearly just them talking in the studio lol feels like something the producer just came up with

I think it just catches me off guard with the "30 seconds, that's pretty good right?" then Soul Capturer comes in, idk kinda strange lol

I see it as a nice way to set the tone and establish the clear difference between Skiffs and this. It's very much like 'look how excited we are that we got to record this together in an actual studio where we can actually talk and stuff'! Dig it for that reason.

[foxtrot]

Nil_0001 wrote:

Alcohol wrote:

I’m abstaining. Who’s with me? Enjoying all the first impressions tho thx for posting. Like being the only sober guy at a tailgate but whatevs. Think I’m most pumped for “All the Clubs.” I’m imagining something in the vein of “Slippi” and “We Tigers” or even “Modern Days E.”

If we talk about Slasher, I feel it's closer to strange colores, but less energetic, more groovy, the same way the chorus to MGMTs flash delirium is. Vocals are also more in that MGMT vein

Somewhere between Strange Colores, ABBA, MGMT and of Montreal. But like a short round type thing (think Throwin' the Round Ball, Another White Singer or something)

[rohcti]

foxtrot wrote:

rohcti wrote:

Idk how to feel about the intro, I guess it's somewhat mysterious but clearly just them talking in the studio lol feels like something the producer just came up with

I think it just catches me off guard with the "30 seconds, that's pretty good right?" then Soul Capturer comes in, idk kinda strange lol

I see it as a nice way to set the tone and establish the clear difference between Skiffs and this. It's very much like 'look how excited we are that we got to record this together in an actual studio where we can actually talk and stuff'! Dig it for that reason.

Ah. I guess it makes sense in that context. I think the last line just throws me for a loop, like why the 30 seconds line in particular?

[foxtrot]

Just cause that's how long the intro bit goes for?

Might be a little bit of an odd choice. Love that it starts with 'he climbs out of the woods' though. That's perfect.

[bullseye]

glenbeige wrote:

wilandhugs wrote:

I thought I saw someone ask earlier, but clubs sounds like 4/4 to me. Just weird off rhythms.

It's in 9/5

lol, good one!

[BreadBagel]

bullseye wrote:

glenbeige wrote:

wilandhugs wrote:

I thought I saw someone ask earlier, but clubs sounds like 4/4 to me. Just weird off rhythms.

It's in 9/5

lol, good one!

Wow, I did not get this at first. Good one indeed!

[BreadBagel]

Currently on my 3rd listen. I am really enjoying it but there is one thing that I'm hoping repeated listens will resolve. Sometimes it feels like there's not enough happening. Centipede Hz would be the opposite example, where on my first listens it was like too much was happening, but in a fun way where you gradually understood it. I just find myself wishing there were more sounds to unpack. Maybe I'm just not hearing the subtleties since I'm only 2.5 listens in. I do feel like the general songwriting is incredible on this album but can't help but think they could have done more with the songs?? Then again, it's probably just like every single AC release where I don't really get it at first but the songs gradually reveal themselves.

[foxtrot]

I definitely think there are things you will discover on further listens. I've noticed a bunch of elements that just didn't reveal themselves on the first few listens. That said, this album is definitely going for a much more stripped back vibe than overstuffed records like CHz (or maybe PW). It actually feels a little like what I hope CHz might sound like when they were talking about the whole desert rock thing. Before it got really cluttered by the alien radio broadcast thing. Its like the desert rock vibe meets Sung Tongs woodsy folk meets early AC dry meets muddy production meets Skiffs era proggy structures. So much goodness and definitely more layers you'll discover. But also just enjoy the sense of the boys playing in the room.

[scrambledgreggs]

I also feel that it's kinda weird to hear them in stripped back mode, since a lot of their recent output and pretty much all their live shows are really heavy on the thick textural sampling. but it actually kind of excites me because they haven't really done that before or at least not in awhile. every new AC album is a completely new experience and that's what makes them such an incredible band. so excited to have a new world to get lost in

[roopn]

yup part of this era's sound is emphasising the space between the four players. very unusual for ac, a band usually so focused on conjuring rich, detailed worlds with their sound design. this is their most minimal approach yet

[bullseye]

I also really dig the more minimal approach. The only song that suffers a little bit from this, at least partly, is stride rite. I wish they'd set the mood a bit more in the first half, something akin to what they did on royal. Some more geo magic would have lifted that song from a 9/10 to a 10/10 for me.

[the feeling store]

They did record all of this to 16-track tape and it was mentioned somewhere how they embraced that limitation. I think it's pretty cool what they were able to accomplish with 16 tracks per song and it's probably a big change for them compared to the endless layerings of previous albums.

[destiny]

it still sounds pretty jam packed to me im ngl. def not the thousands of overdubs like mpp or chz but there are a lot of diff noises and elements in every song im pumped to unpack.