by Syncopy » 2/22/2018, 11:47 am
Initial thoughts:
It’s so much better as a whole piece, rather than in Volumes.
I like Heads Up as an introduction, works as a catchy way to get you in to the album. Raine sounds real good on this. Doesn’t feel new but it feels like solid well rounded OLP. I can only imagine it sounds punchy in a live format. It also seems to lift Nice To Meet You and pass on it’s energy, and give it lift.
I had been listening to the Paste Studios version of Ballad Of A Poet got a while but the production on the studio version is lush. Possibly my favorite song on the album. Can see me returning this song on repeat for many many times to come.
HPFH and DMITW follow. I would say my two favorites from Vol 1.
Missing Pieces I might need a bit of time with. I love its atmospherics and background textures but I can’t feel like it needs something meatier to latch onto.
Falling Into Place is IMO, the weakest track. *I like it* but it’s the most generic sounding and least challenging song on here. For me, it wouldn’t be out of place off Burn Burn. It does feel a little out of place now it’s sat with more tracks on this album.
Let Me Live Again seems like it’s going to another great song live. I love it’s sombre feel and then how that builds up and creeps into something more robust and affirming. Definitely feel the production on these tracks is some of the best OLP have ever done. Very layered and dense (but in a good way).
Last Train has me a little divided. I love the central line ‘Last Train to Babylon, Water washes all your pain away’ and its funky groove/style... but almost all the song hinges on this line. As an album closer, I like how this ‘mantra’ almost repeats into a blur - it allows for a smooth finish to the whole proceeding.
As with any new record, you can’t digest everything on first glance/listen. I’m looking forward to repeated listens.
Oh please forgive me / I'm just a man whose / made mistakes