Burn Burn, thoughts?

[Tattooed Angels]

Yeah, I think I really like the overall sound of the album. It's just really hard to "take away Raine's voice and lyrics" for me. I think it'd be a lot easier to enjoy this cd if I wasn't a singer.

It's really growing on me though. I think it'll be like HiPT in that I'll grow to love it, but there'll always be aspects that bother me.

I said take away Raine for minute cause alot of criticism comes or falls on him.. People/critics forget that there are other members and aspects to this band. I think musically they have come along way.

I love the songs. Then again I have always loved Raine's songs.. Esp in later years.

[DG]

Guys, did your voice change after almost 20 years? Yes. Raine can't sing like he's 25 again, i think it's great at his age and all he's done. Who knows, he could have wore out his falsetto voice after all these years. I think he's trying his hardest.

I've seen him perform his ass off and it was amazing. That was a month ago. He's still got his voice... He sings less paranoid, but his falsetto is far from gone. His voice is just as good as it was 15 years ago.

[m2]

hmmmmm.... Then why want he use the freaking falsetto in the studio? *frustrating*

[m2]

Just listened to Burn Burn straight from start to finish. I decided that you need to detach yourself from your initial expectations of it in order to fully appreciate it. The album is actually pretty good, and although it's not the old school OLP that many fans were hoping to see resurrected, it's got a nice consistent sound to it. I still hold true to the fact that Raine and the gang are incredibly talented.

[Rural Juror]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadi ... -wiqv2dIQQ

The album came third in sales for the week in Canada, behind "Billy Talent III" and Michael Jackson's greatest hits. Not too shabby considering it only came out midway through the week.

[JSMc247]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

[Trustworthy]

omg! BANOZRED!

[Heavy Alibi]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

And what is your evidence that Mike had anything to do with this? Raine, Duncan and Jeremy decided together that they wanted to go with Bob Rock and take a new direction in 2001 with Gravity. Mike left because he disagreed. So the change in the music would have been made, regardless of whether Mike was there or not. And have you listened to some of Mike's new music? Sounds more mainstream and poppy than OLP's new stuff for sure. So this has nothing to do with Mike, except for the fact that he probably made a better decision to leave instead of going the mainstream, "sell-out" route.

If anything, switching producers had a lot more to do with the actual change in music than Mike. You can hear a lot of their old pre-Gravity style coming through in Burn Burn, specifically in tracks Paper Moon and Monkey Brains, but it's hard for them to get out of the mainstream circle-round once they've stepped in.

[Beason52]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

Can you explain the U2 part to me? How is OLP turning into U2? If that was the case it be pretty fucking good. But the reality is ther eis not a band in the world that sounds like U2. Coldplay is the closest thing...even though they don't really, but they did hire the same producer and are the most popular band in the world right now. OLP is closer to Nickelback than anything else with simple formulated rock songs that can reach the top of any countdown. Unfortunately for them, they haven't mastered it like Nickelback has. Is it any coincidence that the two songs that took them a few hours to write and record are the two most mainstream and the first two single, while a few of the slower songs were written and rewritten so many times.

The only U2 connection I get is Raine trying to be like Bono. I do find it hilarious that he thinks Bono is a joke since like it or not he is trying to be like him.

I am not an OLP hater by any means but I don't like the new album very much and I certainly think there is no conenction to U2. I would like you to go further and explain how you see the connection. I don't think U2 is known to write formulated simple rock songs at all. How much U2 do you know besides some of their singles?

Just surprised by all this OLP-U2 talk on this board and in a lot of the reviews.

[JSMc247]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

And what is your evidence that Mike had anything to do with this? Raine, Duncan and Jeremy decided together that they wanted to go with Bob Rock and take a new direction in 2001 with Gravity. Mike left because he disagreed. So the change in the music would have been made, regardless of whether Mike was there or not. And have you listened to some of Mike's new music? Sounds more mainstream and poppy than OLP's new stuff for sure. So this has nothing to do with Mike, except for the fact that he probably made a better decision to leave instead of going the mainstream, "sell-out" route.

If anything, switching producers had a lot more to do with the actual change in music than Mike. You can hear a lot of their old pre-Gravity style coming through in Burn Burn, specifically in tracks Paper Moon and Monkey Brains, but it's hard for them to get out of the mainstream circle-round once they've stepped in.

I'm not saying that Mike doesn't need a great songwriter as well (Raine is a terrific composer). I'm just saying that Mike is really good at accomodating and enhancing a basic song with his unique and atmospheric guitar playing style ...giving it life.

Although, I didn't really dig Fairground all that much, I have been enjoying some of the clips of "Crash Karma". "Awake" is a real nice song, the guitar work is great. the guitar solo in "next life" is exactly the sound and texture missing in OLP's new stuff, its a fantastic solo.

[Matt.]

Can you explain the U2 part to me. How is OLP turning into U2. If that was the case it be pretty fucking good.

Uhh.. Have you heard the new U2 record? It's pretty fucking awful.

[JSMc247]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

Can you explain the U2 part to me. How is OLP turning into U2. If that was the case it be pretty fucking good. But the reality is ther eis not a band in the world that sounds like U2. Coldplay is the closest thing...even though they don't really, but they did hire the same producer and are the most popular band in the world right now. OLP is closer to Nickelback than anything else with simple formulated rock songs that can reach the top of any countdown. Unfortunately for them, they haven't mastered it like Nickelback has. Is it any coincidence that the two songs that took them a few hours to write and record are the two most mainstream and the first two single, while a few of the slower songs were written and rewritten so many times.

The only U2 connection I get is Raine trying to be like Bono. I do find it hilarious that he thinks Bono is a joke since like it or not he is trying to be like him.

I am not an OLP hater by any means but I don't like the new album very much and I certainly think there is no conenction to U2. I would like you to go further and explain how you see the connection. I don't think U2 is known to write formulated simple rock songs at all. How much U2 do you know besides some of their singles?

Just surprised by all this OLP-U2 talk on this baord and in a lot of the reviews.

Oh that comment was not meant to insult U2 -- I'm actually a fan of U2. I just see some similarities recently both musically and politically with Raine/OLP that remind me of Bono/U2. Only difference is ... U2 was first.

For example, "Boy" is a song i really like off of "healthy in paranoid times" -- but i swear to god, i've heard a similar riff in "atom bomb" -- especially in those "de-escalating" notes (forgive my lack of music terminology) during the lyrics "don't carry the weight of the world" -- and thats gotta be the same guitar effect they are using as well in much of paranoid.

[JSMc247]

perhaps "crumbs from your table"?

[Rural Juror]

Although, I didn't really dig Fairground all that much, I have been enjoying some of the clips of "Crash Karma". "Awake" is a real nice song, the guitar work is great. the guitar solo in "next life" is exactly the sound and texture missing in OLP's new stuff, its a fantastic solo.

Steve rocks the shit on this album though. The guitar work on "Burn Burn" is incredible. It's probably the most guitar-driven album of theirs to date, in my opinion.

If there's a problem with the band (and I really don't think there is), then it's a band-wide issue, not a guitarist issue.

[Corey]

I'm reserving my right to change my opinion since its early yet, but as of right now (and i can't believe i'm saying this)...Burn Burn is actually worse than "Healthy in Paranoid Times"

I used to think Bob Rock was the problem...but the evidence is clear...Mike Turner was just too big of a loss, too big of a talent. It's true, "he holds the key" to turning Raine's basic song structures into absolute amazing tunes.

Is it coincidence that Mike is credited for having performed on "Bring Back the Sun" -- the best song off of Gravity? -- I don't think so. Despite its flaws, Gravity is still a pretty good album -- and i like to think its because Mike was still around during the songwriting process.

Nonetheless -- OLP has become a contemporary adult top 40 rock band (a good one, but just too generic for my liking). I won't expect another genius album like "spiritual machines" or "happiness" -- I'll just have enjoy them for what they are now (U2?), sadly.

Wow, it's like you looked into my brain and wrote exactly what I was thinking. I'm not ready to say it is worse than HIPT but after the first couple run-throughs, the outlook isn't favorable. Considering I went into it with a low expectation after hearing All You Did, that's saying something.

I think the main thing is Raine stopped using his voice as an instrument. I'm not just talking Falsetto either, because that can be overdone. I'm talking interesting voice manipulation that adds to the song. Blister comes to mind here. Wipe That Smile even does it. In Burn Burn, it is like he is reciting poetry and they decided to add some music to the background.

The album is also a little slow for my taste. I might as well bought Monster Ballads 11. The truth is, that I'm trying to force myself to like this album because it is OLP. If it weren't for their first 5 albums (yes I'm including Gravity) I wouldn't be listening.

[Beason52]

Can you explain the U2 part to me. How is OLP turning into U2. If that was the case it be pretty fucking good.

Uhh.. Have you heard the new U2 record? It's pretty fucking awful.

Totally disagree. Is it Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby or The Unforgettable Fire? No. But there are some great tracks. Magnificent, Moment of Surrender, Unknown Caller White as Snow and Cedars of Lebanon are great tracks. To say it is awful is pretty ridiculous. It is easily better than their last 2.

I think it is premature compare one of the biggest bands in the world to Our Lady Peace.

Anyway...back to this album. For all the Naveed hype...it is a major disappointment. And don't say they were talking about just the environment of 4 guys making music because they bullshitted us about saying it sounds the most like Naveed. I definitely think they are really happy with this. For Raine..to make a generic rock song like AYD probably means a lot to him. Never Get Over You and The End...are typical simple rock songs and for him to continue to write songs like that is probably rewarding to him.

Personally Naveed for me will always be their best record. It was 4 guys making honest music. It was real. Naveed, Starseed, Denied, Hope, The Birdman, Julia...even the song Out of Here which was before that album. Those are great songs. I mean look at this performance in 1995.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYA3oGXz7U

That is special for such a young group. The raw emotion was incredible by everyone in the band.

Sure the song writing wasn't incredible, but it was their best stuff. Personally I think the band is so lost...if they think think this is a new beginning and one door has opened and the past has closed. This is really full circle from Gravity. All the progress from HIPT, even though it seems hated here, has been lost. It seems the band is so damn happy. I don't get it. They think writing a song like AYD and Never Get Over You by themselves is liberating? I mean can we all admit that is such BS. I generally believe the band isn't talking out of their mouths like most of them do with a new album. They generally believe this is a new day or era or what have you. That my friends is pretty messed up.

They just seem in such a happy place. Good for them, but this is some of the most generic music ever. The way they talk about being at that place where they couldn't care less how many records they sell. A band says that when they stop making top 40 hits and tries something out of the box that isn't mainstream and which truly make them happy. Not the other way around.

[JSMc247]

All the progress from HIPT, even though it seems hated here, has been lost.

I agree with you're assessment of "Burn Burn" and I also think Naveed is a great album as well -- but then you totally lost me and said this

[twiqz]

'Your a Ghost' and that guitar solo is stuck in my head and will probably be for the next week...

I love Burn Burn. Escape artist is up there as one of the best songs theyve ever released.

Whats weird is i dont care too much for monkey brains, i dont know, it doesnt really sound like OLP to me...It REALLY reminds me of Radiohead - Paranoid Android with the song slitting in half sounding like 2 different songs.

Im not sure why everyone doesnt give AYD any credit, i personally love the song, yeah it shouldnt have been released as the single but imo the song is probably the 4th best on the album

[MindsOnLoan]

Im not sure why everyone doesnt give AYD any credit

To bring up one of my other posts about it (keep in mind I posted this before listening to the album, so my opinion on Burn Burn has changed a bit):

People hate AYD because it goes against what this record and what this band both stand for. For a band that used to be about pushing the limit creatively and never staying in their own comfortable space, and is finally returning back to that, AYD is kind of a slap to the face to older OLP songs and the newer great ones.

When the band is finally getting back to this creative point, AYD is kind of a ridiculous song to make a record. Most of us understand that it's purpose is to pretty much serve as a unit shifter, but I think a lot of us would rather have a poppish-yet-creative song in it's place to generate hype and sales. This song makes no attempts to be anything other than what it is- a radio hit for the Top 40 teens out there. Sure, it can manage to become classified as a guilty pleasure, but if someone were to say it's a good song... Well, pardon me when I give a right-eyebrow raise.

I can't speak for anyone else on this, but that's just where I stand with it.

[Beason52]

All the progress from HIPT, even though it seems hated here, has been lost.

I agree with you're assessment of "Burn Burn" and I also think Naveed is a great album as well -- but then you totally lost me and said this

I am saying that it was better than Gravity. It was still a step in the right direction from SOT and Made of Steel.

A/L/S, Picture, WTS...Al Genina, Boy. It may have not been a great album but it was a lot better than Gravity. Half the songs on Gravity I could easily see Nickelback doing.

This is right back to where Gravity left off. Like the whole frustration from the band during the Healthy sessions was they couldn't crack the code of making generic rock songs like AYD and Never Get Over You.