[destiny]

Jack23 wrote:

This album is literally perfect every song is a ten. I understood some of the criticisms on first. second, and third listen but now by listen 20 I’ve fallen in love with all the choices they made on this album. The simplicity is so sweet and I think makes songs like Genies and Gem and I more psychedelic and entrancing it almost feels like a personal performance. You just get lost in the sauce and the littte harmonics laced around the songs are literally scrumptious like cake. The performance is perfect and the vocals might be the best of any record I’ve heard in a long time. So unique and so powerful. Defeat is like an onion laying out its somber story. And magicians is the climax of a career in my opinion best fucking song. This album will be my favorite for a long long long time. I can already imagine the great trips and future experiences this album will enchant and hope one day to show to my future family. I’ve been here since before skiffs just waiting to hear these songs and the wait paid off so well. These boys have outdone themselves from soul to kings. Banger after banger. Easy 10/10. I accept no criticism to this album it’s the best of this decade for sure and maybe the century. For me i will die with this album.

Any suggestions for tattoos of this album. From the cover? Lyrics? Etc

Love you guys

I'm on the same wavelength l. They did all these songs justice. No real error or mistranslations to studio. It's up the listener to figure out their problems with it.

I can't understand kneejerk AC listens tho. We all know this is a band that takes like months of intensive listening to understand what's going on. It's fun but come on. Calling #1 a ween track hahaha or kings ac self parody. Let's come off it

[destiny]

If you skip defeat, you are an ungrateful bitch. I'll remember you.

[hedgecore]

The kick in ACAB is slapping me in the brain. It sounds so fucking goo

[Slippi's Applesauce]

Look i love this album I really do. But for some reason I have little desire to listen to this record. With chz, Pw, and TS I listened to all of them 20-30+ in the first week. But here we are and I’ve maybe heard IIN 4 or 5 times in full. I think it might be that these tracks are just played so straight compared to the live versions. It also doesn’t help that two of the biggest surprises on the record (drums on SC and orchestration on defeat) were spoiled in the single drops. Plus I’ve definitely played defeat 50+ times since it dropped and it being in the middle makes for a jarring full album experience.

But the last few albums (well I guess PW is a different story so Chz and TS) just had so much to dig into upon release while these are just really great studio versions of great songs. Very very straight renditions of tracks like broke, gem and i, stride, and kings. Genies and magicians had some nice extras but don’t have those tiny elements that reward dozens of close listens in succession. I’m not complaining, i think this’ll make for a record that stands my test of time that i don’t overplay at first. We’ll see.

The broke chorus sounds fucking amazing still

[foxtrot]

Defeat 50+ times?!

Dude, you killed it for yourself!


Also, it’s funny how we’re all like ‘studio version is too different demoitis arrhhh’ and then we’re like ‘studio version is too the same not enough new sounds arrhh’

Anyway, don’t listen to me, I’m an insufferable pollyanna when it comes to AC studio albums!

[roopn]

Soul capturer is the sweetest most sympathetic 'get off ur damn phone' song of all time

[Slippi's Applesauce]

Yeah maybe not 50 lol but definitely more than I should have… I have 0 self control lol so my b

Edit: not true if bc I didn’t listen to it for like two weeks and was planning on holding off on defeat until album release, so kinda proud of myself

[Alcohol]

I’ve had a few g&ts… I may not live till 9/29… requesting a pm from a kind soul so I can properly contribute to this convo…

[Stories and Games]

Slippi's Applesauce wrote:

Look i love this album I really do. But for some reason I have little desire to listen to this record. With chz, Pw, and TS I listened to all of them 20-30+ in the first week. But here we are and I’ve maybe heard IIN 4 or 5 times in full. I think it might be that these tracks are just played so straight compared to the live versions. It also doesn’t help that two of the biggest surprises on the record (drums on SC and orchestration on defeat) were spoiled in the single drops. Plus I’ve definitely played defeat 50+ times since it dropped and it being in the middle makes for a jarring full album experience.

But the last few albums (well I guess PW is a different story so Chz and TS) just had so much to dig into upon release while these are just really great studio versions of great songs. Very very straight renditions of tracks like broke, gem and i, stride, and kings. Genies and magicians had some nice extras but don’t have those tiny elements that reward dozens of close listens in succession. I’m not complaining, i think this’ll make for a record that stands my test of time that i don’t overplay at first. We’ll see.

The broke chorus sounds fucking amazing still

yeah having a similar experience, resonating with everything you said

i also suspect that the odd sequencing is contributing at least a little to this effect where it feels surprisingly easy to sort of disregard IIN as *the* primary canon document of this material. the palpable sort of "fuck it" attitude to a lot of the decisions from gem onwards leaves me feeling sort of uncompelled to take the record super seriously as a holistic piece and momentarily forget the fact that i've known some of these songs for four years now

but like you said there's objectively so much to like about these recordings. i'm throwing on individual songs from IIN (each one of them!) pretty frequently throughout my day and having a good time with em. but, whatever the reason may be, i'm finding i just don't buy it as an album, and that's a really strange thing to feel about an AC record of all things. maybe it shouldn't be surprising though—it is a collection of straggler tunes at the end of the day, and smoothing over that fact was probably a much taller task than we were imagining it to be

i'm really curious how common or strong this sort of sentiment will be among non-heads who've never heard a note of these songs before. we are definitely working at a disadvantage when it comes to internalizing this record after all (except for ross lol)

[scrambledgreggs]

keep listening to Magicians over and over and over

[Samuel Lamuel]

Stories and Games wrote:

Slippi's Applesauce wrote:

Look i love this album I really do. But for some reason I have little desire to listen to this record. With chz, Pw, and TS I listened to all of them 20-30+ in the first week. But here we are and I’ve maybe heard IIN 4 or 5 times in full. I think it might be that these tracks are just played so straight compared to the live versions. It also doesn’t help that two of the biggest surprises on the record (drums on SC and orchestration on defeat) were spoiled in the single drops. Plus I’ve definitely played defeat 50+ times since it dropped and it being in the middle makes for a jarring full album experience.

But the last few albums (well I guess PW is a different story so Chz and TS) just had so much to dig into upon release while these are just really great studio versions of great songs. Very very straight renditions of tracks like broke, gem and i, stride, and kings. Genies and magicians had some nice extras but don’t have those tiny elements that reward dozens of close listens in succession. I’m not complaining, i think this’ll make for a record that stands my test of time that i don’t overplay at first. We’ll see.

The broke chorus sounds fucking amazing still

yeah having a similar experience, resonating with everything you said

i also suspect that the odd sequencing is contributing at least a little to this effect where it feels surprisingly easy to sort of disregard IIN as *the* primary canon document of this material. the palpable sort of "fuck it" attitude to a lot of the decisions from gem onwards leaves me feeling sort of uncompelled to take the record super seriously as a holistic piece and momentarily forget the fact that i've known some of these songs for four years now

but like you said there's objectively so much to like about these recordings. i'm throwing on individual songs from IIN (each one of them!) pretty frequently throughout my day and having a good time with em. but, whatever the reason may be, i'm finding i just don't buy it as an album, and that's a really strange thing to feel about an AC record of all things. maybe it shouldn't be surprising though—it is a collection of straggler tunes at the end of the day, and smoothing over that fact was probably a much taller task than we were imagining it to be

i'm really curious how common or strong this sort of sentiment will be among non-heads who've never heard a note of these songs before. we are definitely working at a disadvantage when it comes to internalizing this record after all (except for ross lol)

Yeah I've been feeling the same about the album. The songs individually are amazing. There isn't as single song here I don't like, but as a whole it's not calling me as much as any other album from them. I wish I heard these songs for the first time as an album and not the live boots but oh well. I think the wider audience will probably get thrown off by the pacing of Defeat > Gem > Stride > Clubs (Assuming they don't skip Defeat). Seriously is such a rollercoaster of a track list but I genuinely can't think of how else it could've been.

[BreadBagel]

Let's see everyone's rankings!

1. Magicians From Baltimore
2. Defeat
3. Genie's Open
4. Broke Zodiac
5. Soul Capturer
6. Gem & I
7. Stride Rite
8. All the Clubs Are Broken
9. King's Walk

(Just realized the last 4 songs are in actual track order. I think that's why I wish the tracklist was different somehow)

[pox]

i wondered how it would feel to skip defeat, and magicians into gem feels lacking. need to figure out a defeatless alt sequence.

how i would rank currently

1. magicians
2. genies
3. soul cap
4. acab
5. defeat
6. stride
7. broke
8. gem
9. kings

[BreadBagel]

pox wrote:

i wondered how it would feel to skip defeat, and magicians into gem feels lacking. need to figure out a defeatless alt sequence.

how i would rank currently

1. magicians
2. genies
3. soul cap
4. acab
5. defeat
6. stride
7. broke
8. gem
9. kings

Well we agree on Magicians and King's I see. As for an alternate tracklist, I wouldn't want to leave defeat off the album. Yes, it is very long, but I feel like it actually fits the vibe more than the last 3 tracks.

[Stories and Games]

1. defeat
2. broke zodiac
3. magicians
4. genie's open
5 stride rite
6. soul capturer
7. gem and i
8. king's walk


i have no clue where to put all the clubs are broken lmao. if we're talking about how much i like it in the context of the record it's an easy 9th but if it's just how much i like it as a song on its own terms it could rank as high as 5th, fuck if i know. that song lights up an entirely different part of my brain from everything else here

[Stories and Games]

the one thing i'm finding with alternate tracklistings is that there is no song broke zodiac doesn't follow up perfectly. it is always broke zodiac time babeyyyyy

[muark]

1. Magicians
2. Defeat
3. Soul
4. Genies
5. Broke
6. Gem
7. Kings
8. Stride
9. ACAB

Working on an alternate tracklist but kinda want to spend a bit more time with the record. This might be a hot take but I’m thinking Kings would work heaps better split in two as an opener AND closer, ala something like Pilgrimage by Om. Not sure where that cut would be made though.

[glenbeige]

1. Magicians from Baltimore
2. Defeat
3. Broke Zodiac
4. King’s Walk
5. Soul Capturer
6. Genie’s Open
7. All the Clubs Are Broken
8. Stride Rite
9. Gem and I

Tried to think of an alternate tracklist but I really think it’s perfect the way it is. Soul Capturer ended up being such a stellar opener

[Mr_Neffets]

As someone who never listened to the live versions of these songs (except sea of light, I was at the sing tongs show where they first played it) this all sounds real fresh, warm and well sequenced. I listened to Defeat and soul capturer before but puposefully didn’t listen past a few times to not get burned out. I’ve only listened through once, but I think I for sure like this more than Skiffs and I could see it being one of my all time faves. It’s a comforting mix of music that could have only been made by them, but something about the drums or maybe something else makes it also feel more traditional / classic in a sense??

Also Gem seems like it fills the role of College after visiting friends. Speaking of college, Kings walk is obv very different but it’s cool to hear Avey and panda’s voice blended like that (and deak) without a ton of other constant layers. Their voices come together in such a unique and pleasing way.

[Stories and Games]

muark wrote:

1. Magicians
2. Defeat
3. Soul
4. Genies
5. Broke
6. Gem
7. Kings
8. Stride
9. ACAB

Working on an alternate tracklist but kinda want to spend a bit more time with the record. This might be a hot take but I’m thinking Kings would work heaps better split in two as an opener AND closer, ala something like Pilgrimage by Om. Not sure where that cut would be made though.

omg i was thinking the exact same thing, was even considering splitting it into three and having it be a mid journey interlude as well

[Mr_Neffets]

scrambledgreggs wrote:

also I think the third section of Defeat (once on a good day) is the best part of the album and one of the most transcendent segments in the history of AC. that song is such a triumph. agree that it shouldn't have been a single because it lessens the initial impact it has as the album centerpiece

Agreed that the third section is an all-timer AC piece. I think with time the separation of the rest of the album will be lessened by pretty much everyone here

[Hellomark]

1 Defeat
2 Magicians
3 Broke
4 Genie's
5 Gem
6 Stride
7 ACAB
8 Kings
9 Soul

This feels p good to me, no offense to Soul Cap. Don't think it's a bad song at all, definitely works very well as an opener, and I really like how someone mentioned earlier that the mood of the entire album is being set by sort of a cautionary tale. It's just the one I've been coming back to the least, more of a testament to how strong everything else is.

[muark]

The rimshots at the start of Genies… feels like Noah hammering in the framework of what’s to come.

[Fovrodi]

A (18:45)
1. Prester John
2. Magicians from Baltimore
3. Broke Zodiac

B (21:58)
4. Defeat

C (17:39)
5. Car Keys
6. Genie's Open
7. King's Walk

D (20:01)
8. We Go Back
9. Dragon Slayer
10. Strung with Everything
11. Royal & Desire

E (15:47)
12. Cherokee
13. Gem & I
14. Passerby

F (17:05)
15. Walker
16. All the Clubs are Broken
17. Stride Rite
18. Soul Capturer

[Collected Animals]

Slippi's Applesauce wrote:

Look i love this album I really do. But for some reason I have little desire to listen to this record. With chz, Pw, and TS I listened to all of them 20-30+ in the first week. But here we are and I’ve maybe heard IIN 4 or 5 times in full.

So one thing you should not discount is the possibility that you are growing more diffuse with age. It's been what's happening to me, the number of releases that get over 10/13/15/18 listens has generally been fewer and fewer for me each year



But with that in mind, I do also find myself more inclined to take it slow with this one, like it's easier to see different aspects each time I listen when I give it this kind of space.

[famousprophets]

1. Defeat
2. Magicians
3. Genie's
4. Broke
5. Stride
6. Gem
7. Soul
8. King's
9. ACAB

Feeling like the top 3 are pretty solid and everything else could comfortably move around the rankings.

[hedgecore]

For me, TS was the most recent album where I only listened to a few times. I've already listened to this one a lot. The production honestly is a big part of it I think. It really helps you get sucked you in the songs

[Avey Tane]

Animal Collective in their Snyder Cut phase, homies we eating

[Nil_0001]

My track rating

1. Defeat (human achievement)
2. Magicians From Baltimore (another incredible success)
3. Genies Open (loving the nautical vibe now)
4. Stride Rite (stunning and gorgeous)
5. Broke Zodiac (moving panda)
6. Gem and I (tropical panda)
7. All the Clubs Are Broken (loving the echoing panda vocals)
8. Soul Capturer (their rockiest number)
9. King's Walk (I love it now)

I love this album

[Nil_0001]

Mr_Neffets wrote:

scrambledgreggs wrote:

also I think the third section of Defeat (once on a good day) is the best part of the album and one of the most transcendent segments in the history of AC. that song is such a triumph. agree that it shouldn't have been a single because it lessens the initial impact it has as the album centerpiece

Agreed that the third section is an all-timer AC piece. I think with time the separation of the rest of the album will be lessened by pretty much everyone here

Same here. Everything about that section is perfect. The entire song is perfect honestly

[dervish]

1. Magicians
2. Defeat
3. Genie's
4. Gemini
5. Clubs are Broken
6. Broke Zodiac
7. Soul Capturer
8. King's
9. Stride Rite

[awesome]

1. magicians
2. stride rite
3. defeat
4. genie's open
5. broke zodiac
6. soul capturer
7. gem & i
8. acab
9. king's

[rohcti]

What a vibe Soul Capturer is. Can't stop listening to it

[KidEatsKeyboard]

1. Magicians
2. Broke Zodiac
3. Stride Rite
4. Gem and I
5. ACAB
6. Defeat
7. Soul Capturer
8. Genie's Open
9. King's Walk

I feel confidently about the top 5 and King's is definitely my least favorite (though I'm learning to love it for what it is) but ranking 6-8 is pretty tough. Could definitely move around.

[annalivia]

1. Defeat
2. Magicians
3. Broke
4. Genie’s
5. Soul
6. Gem
7. Stride
8. King’s
9. ACAB

Songs 1-7 are the best album run since Feels/MPP. This is their best album since MPP.

[scrambledgreggs]

1. Defeat
2. Magicians
3. Kings
4. Gem
5. Broke
6. Stride
7. Genies
8. Soul
9. Clubs

5-9 are kinda splitting hairs since I enjoy them all but this is how it is at the moment

[dio]

0. Defeat
1. Magicians
2. Genies
3. Broke Zodiac

4. Clubs
5. Soul
6. Kings

7. Gem
8. Stride

My ranks are kinda what it always was for me like for years. Meaning they didn't duck anything up imo. With only Cherokee and Prester ever having been in the upper brackets along with these.

Listened to Skiffs this morning in car and still love it, got it's own very unique little thing going on. Cars Keys and the keyboard riffs on Prester and WGB have almost nothing to do with Nows sound.

I thing the whole first half of this album from Soul to Defeat is my favorite stretch of AC music in an album since mpp for sure. And like. It's better? Uh oh!

[dio]

Sell a 4x LP box called Time Now Extended Edition with demos of Skiffs songs recorded with Elevado + night 2 of Music box and I'll give the band up to 60 USD including shipping

[nothingmastered]

Magicians
Defeat
Gem
Broke
Genie
Kings
Soul
Stride
Clubs

how does the bass sound this fucking good

[jerry wonder]

this album...is bizarre! and beautiful. like Prog Dad Rock Psychedelic Dream Pop.

Magicians and Defeat are the standouts for me.

Stride is the only 'not good' song for me.

ACAB is bizarre and reminds me of Ariel Pink.

Gem's chorus is another level

Every sound sounds rounded and colorful--really different than the live experience of these tunes in many ways...