Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

[phanan]

The first track is fantastic. Not sure I want to listen to the whole thing right away though.

I like the transition to Breaking The Yearlings as well.

 

[mikal]

Ok, so I listened to most of the album and it's pretty good. I still have a really hard time getting past the vocals though. Hopefully it will grow on me.

 

[Imperor]

I hate reacting after one listen, but that was rad.

 

[u2popmofo]

I hate reacting after one listen, but that was rad.

I had the exact same one listen reaction.

 

[LemonMelon]

This album rules.

Their heaviest to date, or their heaviest in years? I haven't heard anything before Rook.

Also, I think Meiburg's voice sounds great on this album.

 

[u2popmofo]

Pre-Rook stuff is so-so. Albums are fine, but forgettable (with a handful of good songs here and there). They've gotten better with each album to my tastes.

 

[bono_212]

listening now.

 

[mikal]

Can I ask, and I say this with full realization that I am really hard to please in the vocal department, did you enjoy this singer's voice the first time you heard it or did it take a while to grow on you?

I REALLY like the music on this album, but I'm still having a hard time accepting this guy's voice. He just sounds creepy...not in a good way.

 

[bono_212]

I've never quite gotten "used" to his voice.

 

[IWasBored]

enjoy? not sure if that's the word i would use. found interesting, and thought it complimented the music well, yes. but while i think it tends to be creepy at times, it's very much so creepy in a good way.

or maybe i can't really comment since i still only have rook. love it and have listened to it quite a few times, but apparently forgot to get the one this thread was originally made about.

 

[mikal]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like something similar to The National, where I don't exactly love the vocalist, but it compliments the music well.

I'll check out Rook as well.

 

[bono_212]

So far my only "problem" with this album is that I feel like every song is about to break out into "Castaways".

 

[u2popmofo]

I guess I understand people not caring for his voice since it's a relatively unique style of singing, but don't at all agree with the idea that he sounds "creepy". I've always thought he has a fantastic voice. Are you guys familiar with Talk Talk? Fairly similar vocal styles, he's a big fan.

 

[bono_212]

Well, I enjoy this album, for sure. I don't have that same enthusiasm after hearing it that I did with The Golden Archipelago, but I wasn't reading case studies the first time I heard that one either.

 

[mikal]

I guess I understand people not caring for his voice since it's a relatively unique style of singing, but don't at all agree with the idea that he sounds "creepy". I've always thought he has a fantastic voice. Are you guys familiar with Talk Talk? Fairly similar vocal styles, he's a big fan.

Yeah, and it's not that he has a "bad" voice, I'm just not a big fan of how he holds his notes. Many times he will trail off and quiver. I'm sure there is much better terminology to describe this style, so my apologies.

 

[LemonMelon]

Well, I enjoy this album, for sure. I don't have that same enthusiasm after hearing it that I did with The Golden Archipelago, but I wasn't reading case studies the first time I heard that one either.

It's better. More varied, with better production and likely higher replay value. Golden Archipelago was very pretty, but I think I'll play this album more often.

 

[bono_212]

It's better.

Says you.

 

[LemonMelon]

Hey, let me (finally) be excited about a 2012 album.

 

[mikal]

Hey, let me (finally) be excited about a 2012 album.

right? it has been a slow start to the year.

 

[u2popmofo]

Meh, December and January are always slow for new releases.

 

[LemonMelon]

Last year, we already had Kaputt and Let England Shake by this point, my #2 and #1 for the whole year. I dunno, I guess it just feels slow relative to that.

 

[iron yuppie]

I really enjoyed this on first listen. The general atmosphere of the whole thing is very much in tune with the vocals this time around.

 

[IWasBored]

whoever said the opening track was good was not kidding. soo good.

 

[bono_212]

whoever said the opening track was good was not kidding. soo good.

+1 That song is killer.

 

[IWasBored]

second track ain't too shabby, either. oh, i will certainly be purchasing this.

 

[u2popmofo]

Tomorrow.

 

[Danny Boy]

My order from Sub Pop is apparently "out for delivery," so I will perhaps have it this afternoon.

 

[Imperor]

I stand corrected.

 

[u2popmofo]

Dang, mine just barely shipped. I should have it tomorrow though. Really looking forward to hearing it again (only listened to the stream once).

 

[Danny Boy]

Blood red vinyl.

Download code doesn't work yet, unfortunately. And have I mentioned how much it pisses me off to pre-order an album on CD/vinyl and then discover later there is an "album only" bonus track on iTunes.