Burn Burn, thoughts?

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Shanae
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Post by Shanae »

Well well. I picked it up and listened to it in the extremely hot car while my mother made a lengthy trip at Wal-Mart.

On first listen, I was disappointed. It was good, and it was definitely trying, and there is tons of potential, but it lacked something. It lacks balls, I've decided. I wasn't expecting anything that we'd heard on earlier records, because as aforementioned, Raine's perspective on life has (presumably) changed. He's not as much of a young, angry man anymore; he's a husband, and a father to three kids. I could see that a lot on the CD.

It's hard to describe, but Burn Burn seems so... dark brown with beige, and I see Raine's sweater vests, dress pants, and clean way of dressing. His own personal way of dress may seem irrelevant, but that's what I see: a man, comfortable.

My opinion on AYD is pretty much like everyone else's.

Dreamland: I like the song. Am I the only one that thinks the chorus sounds weird in the song? I mean, I like the verses, I like the chorus, it just seems like they're two separate ideas stuck together.

Monkey Brains: I really like this song because it brings some good old piss and vinegar into the picture, and that bassline gets me every time. The bridge is very pretty, and I actually like it in the song. Although it feels a little out of place, it gives a different emotion to this song.
(PS: I like showing people this song and then saying, "Yup. This killer track is about butterflies." You know you're cool when...)

The End Is Where We Begin: I actually quite enjoyed it. The yell of, "Here I am!" has been ringing in my head over and over again. I don't think it's anything spectacular, but I know it would make one hell of a graduation song at our school.

...I'm too lazy to write the rest. :D
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Waiting to Exist
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Post by Waiting to Exist »

The chorus of Dreamland sounds like it came straight from the country genre.

But I don't listen to country, so that's a pretty uninformed statement on my part.
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Post by xjsb125 »

I can see a lap steel guitar being used on Dreamland. It just has that twangy quality to it. I still like the song a lot.
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Shanae
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Post by Shanae »

There was one song from Burn Burn that started off and it made me think of country. I can't remember what it was though! Gahh.
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Dr. Gin
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Post by Dr. Gin »

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but Signs of Life is Sarah McLachlin's "Building a Mystery."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsvTqvDJ2Q
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Post by Tattooed Angels »

Dr. Gin wrote:Not sure if this has been mentioned, but Signs of Life is Sarah McLachlin's "Building a Mystery."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsvTqvDJ2Q


HUH.. I do not think that.. I love Sara's song

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Post by DG »

Similar guitar riffs but that's it. All songs are gonna be somewhat similar to others.
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Post by Waiting to Exist »

Yeah, I'm not really hearing it myself.
I just wanna get out,
Stuck inside of this.
Waiting for something else,
:wte:
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Rural Juror
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Post by Rural Juror »

Yeah, I don't hear it at all.
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Post by Heavy Alibi »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9XEf0YBnBo

Interview with Jer... where he is asked, by a ballsy (and smoking hot) interviewer: "a lot of people think the last two albums were a radical departure from your first 4 albums... is burn burn continuing in that vain"?
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MindsOnLoan
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Post by MindsOnLoan »

For those of you who felt misled about the band's comments on a "raw" sound for Burn Burn, keep in mind this was said about Gravity:

"It's a rock record," said Taggart down the line from Vancouver, where OLP are mixing their new album at The Warehouse studio. "It's a little bit simpler. In that sense, it's a departure, because we're known for ripping up songs and tearing them up and down until we're happy. That generally makes them a little bit more complicated.

"This time, we basically recorded a lot of the stuff in a room together, so there's a lot more energy and a lot more passion left in the songs."
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Post by Rocketdog »

Well hell, guess I'll weigh in, too.

Personally, I love the new album. True, on first listen, I wasn't quite so sure how I felt about Burn Burn, but repeated listens have made this one of my favorite albums right now. Maybe it's still a bit more commercial sounding (like Gravity) than some of you were hoping for, but it's an improvement over HIPT (even though I mostly like that album a lot, too, and don't get all the hate for it). In fact, there's really not a song I can say I don't like on Burn Burn. I also agree with many of the posts made about Steve's guitar playing (yes!) being one of the highlights.

Here's another thing. I know I'm not quite the die-hard fan that some of you folks are. While I've been a fan of the band since I first heard "Starseed" and bought Naveed, I've never considered them my favorite band ever - rather another band I happen to like a great deal. Coming from that perspective, I can see how some of you may be disappointed in your own way. But as someone also pointed out, this is not the same band that made Naveed, which, in reality, is also not the same band that made the albums which followed it through SM. I get the whole "but I liked the band better this way" vibe, and you're entitled to feel that way if you so choose. No disrespect to having a differing opinion. In the past, I know I've been equally as guilty of choosing to see things for what they are not, rather than appreciating them for what they are. However, now, I just look at it from another angle.

The way I see it, people grow and change their points of view as they get older, and I'm sure it's no different with the members of OLP. Not everybody's going to be happy with those changes - but you either stick it out, or you move on. Obviously, the band seem to be quite happy with the music they're making now, and frankly, so am I. I'm going to go right on enjoying Burn Burn, and all the others, too, because they've yet to make an album I've been unhappy with. But peace to you if you don't feel the same.
Last edited by Rocketdog on 8/30/2009, 7:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Heavy Alibi »

I think you're missing the point of some of our criticism. We're criticizing things like Raine's voice being void of all emotion and attempt, and some songs being too lazy and thrown together. Dreamland, White Flags and AYDWSML could have been so much better if these aspects had been improved. I like the music on Burn Burn, I embrace OLP's change in direction, but it is still a mediocre effort without even comparing to the older OLP albums.
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Post by Rocketdog »

I get you, I just don't see it the same. Maybe those aspects could be better, but personally, I don't have any issue with them the way they are. They're working for me just fine. Look at it this way, they could be so much worse, too. Imagine how it would be if they went through what they did making HIPT, and then how the album could have turned out?

All I know is this - I don't personally feel let down. I buy hundreds of albums every year, and this year has been a pretty mediocre year for releases all around. I've been fairly disappointed by more than a few things I was looking forward to - especially some from bands who have been around awhile. However, Burn Burn hasn't been one of those for me. If anything, it's been one of the few bright spots. It wasn't immediate, but has turned out to be a pleasant grower. The more I listen to it, the more I like it.
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Post by Heavy Alibi »

Yeah, I don't think I really feel let down per se, but I feel that they could have executed it better during the 2 years they wrote and recorded it. Meh, it's still a good album for sure. My top 6 songs from Burn Burn are definitely great listens.

So anyway, in the spirit of being annoying and repetitive, I'm listing my song list again (it's changed since last time and continues to change) - if for no other reason than to reignite discussion and hope my opinion is noticed. Anyone else is welcome to list their updated opinions!

1. Escape Artist (can't stop listening — and truly the first time I really enjoy Raine's post-falsetto voice)
2. Paper Moon (pure OLP nostalgia :drool: ; though I really wish they would have done more than just two takes of the chorus)
3. The Right Stuff (studio version shocked and awed, real rockin' song)
4. Refuge (needs several listens to acquire, but Jeremy really shines)
5. Monkey Brains (probably most unique effort since SM; seems though to lack melody and the uninspired "it's all you can do" line hurts it)
6. All You Did Was Save My Life (growing on me)
7. Never Get Over You (good for what it is: a ballad)
8. Signs of Life (good song, just not very replayable)
9. Dreamland (executed poorly and lazily IMO)
10. The End Is Where We Begin (feels like a bastardized version of NGOY to me; also unnaturally slow-paced)
11. Time Bomb (incomplete structure; otherwise love the guitar)
12. White Flags (great song concept, complete failure of execution)
Last edited by Heavy Alibi on 9/10/2009, 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Illusion
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Post by Illusion »

Strong Alibi wrote:1. Escape Artist (can't stop listening — and truly the first time I really enjoy Raine's post-falsetto voice)
2. Paper Moon (pure OLP nostalgia :drool: ; though I really wish they would have done more than just two takes of the chorus)

I definitely agree with EA. It really took me a few listens to latch on to that song, but it's really good. The slow down after the first chorus reminds me of Radiohead's Karma Police....very nice.
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Post by todddowney »

Strong Alibi wrote:Yeah, I don't think I really feel let down per se, but I feel that they could have executed it better during the 2 years they wrote and recorded it. Meh, it's still a good album for sure. My top 6 songs from Burn Burn are definitely great listens.

So anyway, in the spirit of being annoying and repetitive, I'm listing my song list again (it's changed since last time and continues to change) - if for no other reason than to reignite discussion and hope my opinion is noticed. Anyone else is welcome to list their updated opinions!

1. Escape Artist (can't stop listening — and truly the first time I really enjoy Raine's post-falsetto voice)
2. Paper Moon (pure OLP nostalgia :drool: ; though I really wish they would have done more than just two takes of the chorus)
3. The Right Stuff (studio version shocked and awed, real rockin' song)
4. Refuge (needs several listens to acquire, but Jeremy really shines)
5. Monkey Brains (probably most unique effort since SM; seems though to lack melody and the uninspired "it's all you can do" line hurts it)
6. Never Get Over You (good for what it is: a ballad)
7. All You Did Was Save My Life (growing on me)
8. Signs of Life (good song, just not very replayable)
9. Dreamland (executed poorly and lazily IMO)
10. The End Is Where We Begin (feels like a bastardized version of NGOY to me; also unnaturally slow-paced)
11. Time Bomb (incomplete structure; otherwise love the guitar)
12. White Flags (great song concept, complete failure of execution)


Nice write up
Last edited by todddowney on 10/29/2013, 9:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Heavy Alibi
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Post by Heavy Alibi »

Yeah, I keep picturing The End Is Where We Begin with a whole new chorus... I really love the verses especially the first verse, but to me the chorus is so very very mainstream and generic. They could have done so much more with the chorus, I even came up with my own concept for a better chorus. I gotta cringe when the "Here I Am" part comes on...

And as for Monkey Brains thanks for letting me know about Raine's falsetto piece - I just searched Youtube and found it... AWESOME! I really wish he would have gone with it in the studio!

In addition, even though I really like Escape Artist, Paper Moon probably would have been my favorite song if they'd structured it better, and if the choruses were elongated or multiplied. It really echoes how awesome OLP is. With the way Paper Moon exists, I find myself switching the song after the second chorus finishes, even though the songs not over. I love Steve's solo, but it just sounds too bare and long. Raine should have came in with the chorus about half-way through Steve's solo. I also don't really like the "they just don't know anything at all" line... it kinda stunts the chorus and takes away its power. Escape Artist was structured perfectly though, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much.
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Post by OLPManiac »

The "WUAAAAAAAAAA" in falsetto live in Monkey Brains is amazing...i want this in studio....
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Post by Rocketdog »

Strong Alibi wrote:In addition, even though I really like Escape Artist, Paper Moon probably would have been my favorite song if they'd structured it better, and if the choruses were elongated or multiplied. It really echoes how awesome OLP is. With the way Paper Moon exists, I find myself switching the song after the second chorus finishes, even though the songs not over. I love Steve's solo, but it just sounds too bare and long. Raine should have came in with the chorus about half-way through Steve's solo. I also don't really like the "they just don't know anything at all" line... it kinda stunts the chorus and takes away its power.


Have have to agree to disagree with you on this one, "Paper Moon" is my favorite track on the album, exactly the way it is, especially Steve's guitar solo at the end. To me, it would be ruined to have Raine sing over it, and there by, step all over a perfect moment. That solo is climax perfection incarnate, and I don't want anything disturbing it. About the only point I'd concur with you on is perhaps an added chorus. I also just strongly relate to this song right now, so that helps put it at the top of my list.

As for the rest. In all honesty, most of these songs are on a pretty level playing field for me. Can't say that I really love some of them more than others, but here goes anyway...

1. Paper Moon (see above)
2. Escape Artist (Second favorite track. Perfect as is. Love the soft/loud/soft aspect.)
3. Refuge (Love the unique tone of Steve's guitar on this track.)
4. Never Get Over You (Great ballad, again lifted above average by Steve's slide work.)
5. Monkey Brains (Didn't care for this song so much at first, but then it grew on me. Particularly like Duncan's driving bass, Jeremey's drumming and the slow breakdown section. I need to hear this version with the falsetto.)
6. Dreamland (Could it be a little better? Maybe. However it still works fine for me just the way it is. The dulcimer is awesome, too.)
7. The Right Stuff (Ok, so the chorus comes off a bit simple, but damn, is it super catchy. I also like the breakdown section in this one as well)
8. All You Did Was Save My Life (A solid, if safe, commercial single. The background vocals put it over for me.)
9. Signs of Life (I like that this is something a bit different than the norm. IMHO, they pull it off, and it has total re-playability)
10. The End Is Where We Begin (Another one that's a bit more commercial, but it still works fine for me)
11. Time Bomb (What song does Steve not make better on this album?)
12. White Flags (Very U2 like, almost as if they were trying to emulate the band on purpose. But, if that were the goal, then I think they succeed.)
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