(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 15, 2011 10:01:33 GMT -5
To be fair, so to speak, the two singles I've heard from Fair To Midland are so middle of the road I can't tell them apart from the other average Active bands that are trying and failing too. But their Manatee song is far better that Lowlife for me, so they have that going for them.
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 15, 2011 10:16:18 GMT -5
I have no idea what you're listening to. If you're talking about quality, that's fine, but from a vocal and instrumentation standpoint, they objectively don't sound like any other active rock bands out there. You don't have to like them or think they're good, but to find them indistinguishable considering all the vocal extended techniques and keyboards / odd instruments they use on most of their songs, I don't understand how they sound like anyone let alone everyone.
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Post by Shadows in the Dark on Jul 15, 2011 10:19:17 GMT -5
Top 5 on Active:
7 5 THEORY OF A DEADMAN Lowlife 1455 1310 145 4.196
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 10:27:20 GMT -5
I tend not to dislike a lot of music (save pop) so I'm sure I'll be able to listen to this. ;) And yet you dislike Fair To Midland. This hurts me. What? He dislikes Fair To Midland? Where's my tar and feathers.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 10:27:54 GMT -5
Also, I'm real glad I can't see what Artie just said.
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 15, 2011 10:33:45 GMT -5
^How do you block a user? And does it make it so you can see that they said something, but you don't get to see what it is?
And you still haven't said anything about the new FTM album yet. Maybe I'll ask you on Fbook instead if you're keeping your thoughts to yourself for now.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 10:40:15 GMT -5
^How do you block a user? And does it make it so you can see that they said something, but you don't get to see what it is? And you still haven't said anything about the new FTM album yet. Maybe I'll ask you on Fbook instead if you're keeping your thoughts to yourself for now. See that smile under your name that looks like it wants to throw up? If I click that smile, then your posts get blocked to my vision. I can see that you posted something, and I can click the happy face smile to see your posts again, but I can't see what you said while the barfing smile is selected. As for Fair To Midland, I've been listening to it nonstop. I wasn't sure how to feel after the first spin cause it's a little different from Tales, but the songs are quickly growing on me and I've been craving a listen when I'm not, so this is probably quickly shoot up my charts for the year, as expected. Right now my favorite songs besides "Musical Chairs" are "Uh Oh", "Rikki Tikki Tavi", "Golden Parachutes", "Short-Haired Tornado", "Coppertank Island", and "Whiskey And Ritalin". "The Greener Grass" is amazingly epic. All in all, a fantastic blend of sounds. I seriously hope it doesn't take four years for the next album.
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 15, 2011 10:44:16 GMT -5
Cool. I love how we're infiltrating Theory Of A Deadman's thread rather than discussing it in the FTM thread.
Oh and I would have pegged you as an "A Loophole In Limbo" type of guy, just because besides "Musical Chairs", that song reminds me the most of something off Fables.
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 15, 2011 10:51:38 GMT -5
On the topic of Theory, I decided to check out "Hurricane" (I will seek nothing else out on this album). The orchestration is really nice, but the song itself is only okay without it. And considering I highly doubt that the band had anything to do with writing/arranging the orchestration, I will say that it is a strong recording for the band, but it doesn't make me respect them any more. However, if Tyler or anyone else in the group was involved in the orchestration in any way, even something as simple as sketching out the melodic line of the strings, then I will admit that I am impressed with them on this song. The ending is nice too, and I will admit that even without the orchestra, it's good relative to other current Theory Of A Deadman songs. It's just that the orchestra is by for the most interesting element, and I worry that they have nothing to do with it.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 11:09:53 GMT -5
Cool. I love how we're infiltrating Theory Of A Deadman's thread rather than discussing it in the FTM thread. Oh and I would have pegged you as an "A Loophole In Limbo" type of guy, just because besides "Musical Chairs", that song reminds me the most of something off Fables. I do like "A Loophole" but the chorus bugs me a little bit, just because he starts it off in his lower register, and the thing I love most about Fair is his high register. The lower tone makes it sound odd. Probably a minor quibble, but it's enough to knock it down a peg.
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 15, 2011 11:16:24 GMT -5
Cool. I love how we're infiltrating Theory Of A Deadman's thread rather than discussing it in the FTM thread. Oh and I would have pegged you as an "A Loophole In Limbo" type of guy, just because besides "Musical Chairs", that song reminds me the most of something off Fables. I do like "A Loophole" but the chorus bugs me a little bit, just because he starts it off in his lower register, and the thing I love most about Fair is his high register. The lower tone makes it sound odd. Probably a minor quibble, but it's enough to knock it down a peg. See I love when he uses his lower/middle registers to launch his higher register in choruses. "A Loophole" is the best example on this album that I remember, but in general..."Walls Of Jericho" is the classic example of him launching to the stratosphere from the middle register mid-chorus, and probably part of why I love that song a lot more than you do.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 15, 2011 11:16:29 GMT -5
Ah, the old "I pretend I'm not reading your posts but really am" trick. Some kids can't grow up. If I lost every time I guess I'd pretend I don't read your posts as well.
I didn't mean the band is bad, just nothing has stood out from what radio I've heard from them. But like I said, Manatee was better than Lowlife. I'm not sure how we segued to this topic either!
I'll be interested to hear if Hurricane makes it as a single. Orchestration doesn't seem like a good mix for Deadman. But I thought that about GN'R too for a while.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 11:20:15 GMT -5
I do like "A Loophole" but the chorus bugs me a little bit, just because he starts it off in his lower register, and the thing I love most about Fair is his high register. The lower tone makes it sound odd. Probably a minor quibble, but it's enough to knock it down a peg. See I love when he uses his lower/middle registers to launch his higher register in choruses. "A Loophole" is the best example on this album that I remember, but in general..."Walls Of Jericho" is the classic example of him launching to the stratosphere from the middle register mid-chorus, and probably part of why I love that song a lot more than you do. An intriguing theory.
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Devin
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Post by Devin on Jul 15, 2011 18:42:51 GMT -5
Ah, the old "I pretend I'm not reading your posts but really am" trick. Some kids can't grow up. If I lost every time I guess I'd pretend I don't read your posts as well. He really can't see your posts, Artie. ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) He's using the 'block user' button on your profile against you. You can do the same to him or anyone else here on theis board. I choose not to, because I don't wanna miss anything mildly interesting, even if it comes from a poster I don't particularilly 1 like. 1 It's probably spelled wrong.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 15, 2011 18:49:43 GMT -5
He tried that before and also failed at that. And I'd bet he still is reading, but he just established a few posts ago that he wasn't reading my posts. He won't be a hypocrite twice. By you quoting me, he gets to see it twice, but claim it's the first time.
I will not "block user" either because it would be like reading a censored book. What's the point?
I'm not sure I've seen a topic change so many directions on just a single page. I think that speaks to how bad Lowlife is to everyone.
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lockebox
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Post by lockebox on Jul 15, 2011 19:05:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't see the point in the block feature either. Even the village idiot has something worthy to say from time to time. We're also missing out on some legendary Artie vs. Pen showdowns if Pen is blocking Artie.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 15, 2011 19:57:33 GMT -5
I was going to note the whining has gone down dramatically around here. I think we know why now. So maybe he's doing the right thing! Cut him some slack.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 15, 2011 22:33:08 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't see the point in the block feature either. Even the village idiot has something worthy to say from time to time. We're also missing out on some legendary Artie vs. Pen showdowns if Pen is blocking Artie. Because I realized I have better things to do with my time than waste breath on an infant. The point of the block feature is so my blood pressure doesn't rise. And no, he doesn't have anything worthy to say.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 16, 2011 0:05:11 GMT -5
It's like you read my mind! Taking the ball and leaving the game should've been in the Adolescents thread, although here is close. Can anyone tie this topic back in with Lowlife? Easy set up. I realized I have better things to do with my time than waste breath on an infant. And no, he doesn't have anything worthy to say.
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 16, 2011 0:10:21 GMT -5
And please guys, try not to quote him.
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Post by Shadows in the Dark on Jul 16, 2011 2:00:18 GMT -5
And yet you dislike Fair To Midland. This hurts me. What? He dislikes Fair To Midland? Where's my tar and feathers. I don't necessarily dislike them, they just haven't really clicked with me. I remember hearing "Dance of the Manatee" and was just like "Eh..." ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png)
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pen
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Post by pen on Jul 16, 2011 2:21:40 GMT -5
What? He dislikes Fair To Midland? Where's my tar and feathers. I don't necessarily dislike them, they just haven't really clicked with me. I remember hearing "Dance of the Manatee" and was just like "Eh..." ![::)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) LISTEN TO MORE. NOAW.
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Post by singingsparrow on Jul 16, 2011 3:09:11 GMT -5
Can anyone really say they're surprised by this end result? It strikes me more so-called "post-grunge" bands are essentially, and intentionally, becoming Active Rock versions of Country artists........albeit laced with unabashed use of four-letter words and running with hypothetical revenge or venting schemes that go a little further than taking a fight outside a bar. Think about it. You have: - A slew of up-and-down relationship songs that are decidedly and safely mid-tempo overall.
- An obligatory "HELLYEAH! I'm a redneck and proud of it!" with lashings of "Let's raise a little Cain and have a good time!" anthem, substituting "redneck" for "lowlife" on this format of course!
- A number of obligatory "list songs" that regurgitate the same old cliches and result in recordings that sound more like cultural re-affirmations set to a groove than songs, including "Love is Hell" (list song about ways he would rather be cursed than to bear any more relationship heartbreak), "Gentleman" (a list song comparing stereotypical characteristics of gentlemen to the kind of more volatile, unhinged man the narrator claims girls really want, etc.)
- A handful of obligatory tribalistic "me vs. you" or "us vs. them" songs, where instead of Country music's constant reliance on the "Them city folk don't understand us country folk, what with their fancy sports cars and sushi and going green and all!" brand of duality, here it's more personal...........such as the aforementioned "Gentleman", as well as with the title track, where the narrator compares his ex's kind of lies with his own.
- The ubiquitous "I've got everything I need..............except you!" tear-in-your-beer anthem, i.e. "What Was I Thinking?" (it even consists of banjo)
- The "Hey, I hear you.....................life is hard...................but soon enough, if you stick it out, I promise you.............it gets better!" motivational anthem ("Head Above Water").
- Another kind of obligatory ballad............this time an easy-breathing, still-heart kind of ballad that reminds listeners..................y'know.............that sensitive side and all............., which is "Easy to Love You".
- This is only on the Deluxe Edition, but still, the "I know our love is against the rocks right now, but if we pull through together, we can make this work!" ballad, in "Better or Worse".
- The obligatory patriotic anthem, the album-closing "We Were Men" in this case.
* I know some of you avoid the Country radio market like the plague, but if you were to listen to many standard country album releases these days.............you can expect to find most, if not all, of the themes and/or approaches adopted on probably eight of ten banner country album releases. Lately, the lines between Country and Active Rock are continuing to blur. They're becoming very much alike now. The only obvious stark differences between the two radio genres now are that Active Rock artists are not shy at all about blurting four-letter words on record, while Country artists remain reluctant to latch on due to "family values" and all.............and that, while so many Country music videos are saturated with stereotypical sex appeal (Southern belles in high boots, cowboy hats, bikinis and Daisy Duke denim often dancing suggestively against pick-up trucks and with Colt .44's in hand)...........Country artists are overall compulsively subtle when referring to sex in their music, while Active Rock artists are not subtle whatsoever. And to an (albeit thinning) extent, Country music remains a more sentimental, emotionally-charged genre, while Active Rock is a more adrenal, viscerally charged genre (although even there, that's changing, as more artists influenced by 80's and 90's hard rock are becoming Country radio stars while some sentimental Country influences are finding their way into Active Rock, such as with Shinedown). Besides that, that's about it. Both genres are infatuated with Jack Daniels and ice cold beer. Both genres glorify "simple living" and think less highly of a more socially advanced mindset. Both genres are defensive and defiant in the face of peer pressure with their fierce, individualistic leanings. * Tyler Connolly keenly noticed this trend when Theory of a Deadman recorded "Scars & Souvenirs", and that is primarily why they enjoyed much more radio success compared to their first two outings. Now, they're submerging themselves entirely into this trend this go round. Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 16, 2011 9:15:25 GMT -5
I too thought Manatee was plain. But then Musical Chairs came along and redefined average. It's what I imagine A Day To Remember would sound like over an entire album. Or a poor man's Coheed & Cambria.
And I've agreed for years now that Active rock is just the more educated, bodyguard cousin of C&W radio. They're basically the same with the instruments and volume being the noticeable difference.
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mcbrearty
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Post by mcbrearty on Jul 16, 2011 16:01:22 GMT -5
Tyler Connolly keenly noticed this trend when Theory of a Deadman recorded "Scars & Souvenirs", and that is primarily why they enjoyed much more radio success compared to their first two outings. Now, they're submerging themselves entirely into this trend this go round. Namaste, lisping HIBISCUS Submerged they have, they're barely visible anymore.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 16, 2011 21:42:03 GMT -5
Don't be so sure yet. They have a knack for balancing their raunch with hits that appeal to adults.
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mcbrearty
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Post by mcbrearty on Jul 17, 2011 6:45:09 GMT -5
Don't be so sure yet. They have a knack for balancing their raunch with hits that appeal to adults. That may be the case when they release singles but listening to the album as a whole, its leans too much in the wrong direction.
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(Artie Ziff)
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Post by (Artie Ziff) on Jul 17, 2011 11:36:39 GMT -5
They've pretty much masted the "I hate you, wait I love you in the next single" formula as well as anyone.
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rockmaniac
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Post by rockmaniac on Jul 19, 2011 15:32:30 GMT -5
from HDD
- 8 THEORY OF A DEADMAN ROADRUNNER 37,094 -- TRUTH IS...
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jvandyck87
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Post by jvandyck87 on Jul 19, 2011 15:39:15 GMT -5
Any idea where Fair To Midland and Incubus bowed in?
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