Posts
So it seems that Dear Science is the sort of mass popular #1 choice for album of the year. I only recently discovered the existence of these guys, and have listened to this album a few times (including right now). Overall it's... good? I love the first song, some of the others are pretty good, but I don't know. Something about it doesn't catch my attention fully. I don't know what I don't get behind as I like the complexity, I like the mish-mash of styles, and yet...
I think in some ways the whole thing ends up being kind of dour and oppressive and, despite their hype, not a lot of fun. Now that's not to say every album has to be a non-stop party - far from it. But I think albums that keep this kind of mid-tempo mood end up being a little too drab to listen to multiple times. I discovered this same feeling while relistening to Yoshimi recently. (Quick aside - once this end of year time is over, I'm listening to, and talking about, nothing but old Flaming Lips. Be prepared)
Interestingly, Eric posted a pretty similar question back when the album first came out. But now that's it's getting SO hyped, and there's been some time for it to sink in, I wonder if I'm being a cranky old man who doesn't get it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I just bought this the other day to see what all the hype was about. I like it so far, but haven't listened enough to fully weigh in yet.
I am defintely interested to hear your thoughts.
And speaking of which - still no Kanye talk from you? What gives yo?
I haven't been able to bring myself to spend the money on it yet. The reviews are pretty mediocre, crazy videos aside I haven't been that into the songs I've heard, and I'm in a bit of a financial hole at the moment, so I'm thinking long and hard before buying music...
I don't have Dear Science, but I thought that Return to Cookie Mountain was one of the most overrated albums of the past 5 years. This kept me from even considering a Dear Science purchase.
Via Chicago, I am so with you on Yoshimi. It's a shame that that is the album most people know Flaming Lips by. Entirely based on the fact that the label decided to promote them all out at that point. The 4 records before it are vastly superior.
I've come to the realization that, for the most part, I don't love the post-Soft Bulletin Lips output, which makes me sad. But I like my Flaming Lips all strung out on acid and ending their albums with 30 minutes of noise, not throwing confetti and playing with giant bunnies.
As for Dear Science - the ENTIRE album is streaming on their myspace page. http://www.myspace.com/tvotr So if you are interested but don't want to throw down the cash, check it out.
I'm listening on myspace now (after all the discussion from a couple months ago I never ended up buying it (read: finding it used)). I'll say this much VC-- if you think this is dour and oppressive you really won't like their previous stuff. (That was my big problem with it, even if some individual tracks did shine through). I was similarly motivated to just go buy it since it's topping all the lists. Jury's still out for me...
I think Dear Science is their best album so far. Particularly the horns (from Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra) make the album worthwhile. I'm not a fan of Cookie Mountain, however.
On this record, I like 'Dancing Choose'and'Golden Age' has a great bridge.
Why are they so popular? In terms of indie rock - I think TVOTR is doing something more interesting than anyone else, which sort of says more about the state of indie rock than it says about the band. Bloggers are sick of the same ol' shit - TVOTR at least is trying to be different but at the same time, with Dear Science they have made their slickest and popiest record yet, which I appreciate. There are good songs on here, and the production has style, if not always substance.
Post a Comment