The new album is awesome. But there're no perfect things in this world expect Ed's instagram. So let's talk about things you don't like in No Geography.
Here're some mine:
I'd prefer the old vervion of Eve Of Destruction where Aurora is moaning "ah ah" and where there's "keep dancing" instead of "keep running" in the end of the song.
The new one is a bit overloaded and I don't really like the lyrics in the end.
I must admit that the new EOD has better connection with Bango, but i think the bros could make Bango friends with the old one.
Bango. The "bango bango bango" lyrics. I just can't take it. Otherwise, the song is great.
And i would be glad if MAH had the lyrics without "I ain't gonna take it no more" in some part of the song like it is in EBW version.
Spoiler
Where is Here Come The Drums?
I too want that dj version of EOD, but I admit i got trolled when I heard the new version. ;D
Can I still nag about my 2011 show? I kid I kid!
No Geography should be much longer! (album/title track included)
I wanted more disco in Eve with the new synths/bassline they added, and a longer intro as a matter of fact cos the 2017 DJ version had so much hype behind it!
Free Yourself/MAH could've had a better transition, at least with the MAH 303 coming in as Free Yourself ends.
They should've made room for the Galileo club track in between NG and Keep On! (If not on the album then please a bonus track!)
Is it too much to get Superflash out in the open for this era too? You gave Wonders of The Deep a try after 5 years!
Quote from: hstn on Apr 13, 2019, 23:03
No Geography should be much longer! (album/title track included)
I wanted more disco in Eve with the new synths/bassline they added, and a longer intro as a matter of fact cos the 2017 DJ version had so much hype behind it!
Free Yourself/MAH could've had a better transition, at least with the MAH 303 coming in as Free Yourself ends.
They should've made room for the Galileo club track in between NG and Keep On! (If not on the album then please a bonus track!)
Is it too much to get Superflash out in the open for this era too? You gave Wonders of The Deep a try after 5 years!
On that topic that Problem/Question track deserves attention too.
I already mentioned that it was too short but I think the issue I have when it first comes out (the later albums) is that when they push a new style in an album its too short to get used to it. If it went for longer you'd get time to get used to it and maybe appreciate it more? But thats in a perfect world I suppose not knowing how long each of these new tracks take to create and finish with the pressures of record companies asking all the time "have you finished yet?"
hate the imbalance—GTKO, MAH, & FY have been out far too long and their familiarity perturbs the flow slightly for me!
Lenghts, yes, absolutely. Not even overall length that much, two minutes taken from Gravity Drops could be well investet in No Geography and WGGT.
Sorry, I don't like Aurora, but there's a real connection with the songs in this album. I'm looking forward to hearing the instrumentals. I like very much Stephanie Dosen, but well, I think CMIF would be better without the voice sample; I suppose the instrumental versions are a bit more extended (I haven't heard them yet).
Album and live version of MAH they play the laughing intro bit before they introduce the vocal. But it comes too suddenly after the laughing bit.
Album and Live version: [laughing]>"I'M MAD AS HELL"
What it should be: [laughing]> "AUGH!", "I'M MAD AS HELL"
Additionally, they should've reprised the laughing bit more throughout the track to fuel the vocal. The EBW version does this once, from what I remember from Inchemwetrust's recording, but not as effectively as I was hoping.
Quote from: UltimatePelmeni on Apr 13, 2019, 21:17
Here're some mine:
I'd prefer the old vervion of Eve Of Destruction where Aurora is moaning "ah ah"
That's funny, is exactly what I hated about that version, and would be in my nags if it stayed like this.
On the same level, I don't know why they didn't keep the funky synth break in GTKO (it's still there in Fantai)
But my main nag is that some of the tracks feel like fillers, and are way less complex than the rest of the album (Gravity Drops, Catch Me, and No Geography to some extent)
It was as bit flat that three songs I'd heard already were towards the end of the album. Took edge off a bit.
The title track should be twice as long but I guess you leave audience wanting more.
I've still not come to terms with Got to try. It's too jarring.
And gravity drops doesn't do enough.
Where it's good it's really good but I ain't getting carried away
Whole album is too short.
Catch Me I'm Falling is over before it begins.
I don't like that. :(
Quote from: Ben_j on Apr 15, 2019, 07:20
I don't know why they didn't keep the funky synth break in GTKO (it's still there in Fantai).
And it's not in the extended version of GTKO either but they actually repeat the Rain/Tears stuff, unnecessaarily IMHO. I also kinda liked the "Star Guitar" style drums in early GTKO/Fantai but they're gone from GTKO too.
Quote from: Ben_j on Apr 15, 2019, 07:20
But my main nag is that some of the tracks feel like fillers, and are way less complex than the rest of the album (Gravity Drops, Catch Me, and No Geography to some extent)
You're not gonna win too many allies re "No Geography" with that opinion - it's doing well in the poll! As for Catch Me, I thnk it's a pretty song but doesn't feel like a big album closer. Also I noticed Tom said re MAH "once, we would probably have felt this was too big a sample to use" (although he
may have meant the expression rather than the sample size). But Catch Me relies
very heavily on the Snowbird song. As someone else on the forum commmented, it's almost like it started as a remix of the song. And I also feel that way about We've Got To Try: it's like a remix/cover version.
Quote from: sandelic on Apr 15, 2019, 12:53
Whole album is too short.
Catch Me I'm Falling is over before it begins.
I don't like that. :(
Soooo short!
Quote from: sandelic on Apr 15, 2019, 12:53
Whole album is too short.
Quote from: hstn on Apr 13, 2019, 23:03
No Geography should be much longer! (album/title track included)
It didn't feel short to me even though the album has 10 tracks but there was quality on NG in most places, but then again..
Star Guitar had 10
And Further had 8
Quote from: SouthernBrother on Apr 14, 2019, 18:21
Sorry, I don't like Aurora, but there's a real connection with the songs in this album.
Read this in John Oliver's voice!
I totally forget to mention this on my write up! She only contributes to EVE ( which I do enjoy her vocals) but just gets in the way on the other 2 tracks. Why was she even in Bango? The track gained absolutely nothing from her voice. C'mon Aurora! She's almost like Yoko Ono when she got on the mic and got between John Lennon and Chuck Berry's duet! "Ok Yoko! You got one song, but after that, you stay have to stay put. Do not ever touch that mic, ever! Stay in your lane Yoko! Stay in your lane!" :)) See vid for context.
https://youtu.be/V2i9RvBOSZ4
Quote from: inchemwetrust on Apr 15, 2019, 15:50Quote from: SouthernBrother on Apr 14, 2019, 18:21
Sorry, I don't like Aurora, but there's a real connection with the songs in this album.
Read this in John Oliver's voice!
I totally forget to mention this on my write up! She only contributes to EVE ( which I do enjoy her vocals) but just gets in the way on the other 2 tracks. Why was she even in Bango? The track gained absolutely nothing from her. She's like Yoko Ono! "Ok Yoko! You get one song, but after that, you stay have to stay put.Do not touch that mic, ever! Stay in your lane Yoko! Stay in your lane!"
C'mon Aurora! Your trying to do doing the same thing like when Yoko did to Lennon and Berry!" :)) See vid for context.
You guys aren't for real, are you? >:D
The poor grammar of "I ain't gonna take it no more"
Come on Tom and Ed, you graduated from uni!
We needed more vocoder in Eve
I'm opting for closing this thread.
There is nothing to nag about.
Zip, Zilch, Zero, null, nada.
The album is perfect.
Quote from: kosek on Apr 15, 2019, 17:10
I'm opting for closing this thread.
There is nothing to nag about.
Zip, Zilch, Zero, null, nada.
The album is perfect.
IMO, If you took away 3 of my lowest rated tracks I mentioned on my review. This would've been a perfect EP!
Quote from: UltimatePelmeni on Apr 13, 2019, 21:17
The new album is awesome. But there're no perfect things in this world expect Ed's instagram. So let's talk about things you don't like in No Geography.
Here're some mine:
I'd prefer the old vervion of Eve Of Destruction where Aurora is moaning "ah ah" and where there's "keep dancing" instead of "keep running" in the end of the song.
I must admit that the new EOD has better connection with Bango, but i think the bros could make Bango friends with the old one.
Pelmini, I didnt like the 'ah ah' at first but now it's not a bother at all. But I do like both versions and their intended uses! One for djing and one for the album. Reminds of a time of when I felt the opposite when Hoops played live was different than the album version. ( Album version always)
I would prefer they play the dj version of it at the live show, but if not no worries. Besides, I do wanna see how the album version of EVE plays out live and where it cuts in the setlist.
Everything is pretty much perfect, just wish No Geography was longer, and at the end
Ok, I have 1 nag. And it's only a nag because of how fucking great the album is.
So, for me, DYOH, Surrender and CWU all drastically altered my perception of what's possible with music. There were songs that just have no equal, and introduced me to new ways that music can be: TSU, Elektrobank, Star Guitar, Come With Us, TPPR etc. They're so unique, and explore the territory like it's been done again and again, but really Chems are the first to do it. Even some of PTB can be classified this way.
Now NG for me doesn't have those tracks. There's no redefining what's possible in it. It's a huge ask for an act that has shifted the landscape time and time again. And like I said, this is only a "nag" because the album is so great to begin with. This hasn't been a nag of mine with Further or BITE because they're not applicable to be judged in this way for me (though Further got close). This is only being thought of as a problem because the album is so so so close to being in the absolute top echelon of albums for me.
But still, the album is literally everything else that a classic Chems album should be for me, and more. I deeply connect with a lot of the tracks, and most of it still sounds fresh af. It is just that little bit behind DYOH, Surrender and CWU for me.
also the rave chord stabs are a little cheesy, but if anyone's allowed to use them whenever they want (even if the revival is pretty long in the tooth already), it's goddamn Tom and Ed
My login still works, bonus!
The album still hasn't clicked with me yet, am starting to grow ever-so-slightly concerned. I've been following the Chems long enough to know the only expectation one should have of a new album, is the unexpected. So when I first played it, I wasn't surprised that I didn't get it all. I knew it would take time. It just seems to be taking longer than any of the others. The singles grab me, in a genuinely excited way that I hadn't felt since EBW8/9, and I think that's why the album feels like a bit of a let-down. The other 6 songs just don't stand up as well.
The female vocals are annoying on the 4 tracks. I don't know if it's supposed to be a "psychedelic" thing, but the pitch and timing are all over the place, and the lyrics are a bit naff in places (no mystery or metaphor). Gravity Drops is just like a chillout version of Just Bang, in its minimal way. I grew to quite enjoy Just Bang, hopefully I'll grow to find beauty in Gravity Drops too.
I don't get the hype about the title track. I mean, it's ok, not bad. Not a patch on the singles though. To me, it's a bit of a softy, floaty without impact. I think it's got growth potential though, just needs time.
The last track is.. so far out there for the Chrns. Flashes of Further's weird, "uncomfortable" sounds, and lyrics that are more direct than they've had before, and it's uncomfortable. Again, waiting for growth on it.
Overall, I'm finding this their most challenging release so far. But I seem to be in the minority, which is a surprise. Just means I need to work harder I guess :)
I've been listening to the new Essential Mix more. Its another one where they've given some of the tracks on the album they play some context and some background of where they were coming from with the song ideas.(and some killer acid tracks).
I still feel like my brain is telling me 'Brain full, no more' listening to the album though trying to appreciate it. Since half of it was released before it came out and the remaining didn't make an impact enough for me to listen to it in full like earlier albums.
Just to follow up, I put the album on the dock this morning, and my son was dancing from the first riff, it was a joyous moment. It lifted my mood going into it, and it was like I was introducing it to him, with me being the seasoned veteran. Totally different listening perspective, more like background music while I got on with things and he grooved away. I've had melodies stuck in my head all day from the "other 6", a good sign. There's some good stuff on this album :)
I remember the feeling of doubt about an album before. Finding things jarring, feeling that tracks have been "ruined" by something, some element too "out there". Then I remembered in time, these just become part of the soundscape, and I see past them and love the track anyway (or sometimes love the thing that I initially hated)
This is a Chems album, and it WILL end up in the place in my mind they all end up, a special shelf just for their work where judgement ceases and they exist as equals overall. I doubt they'll even be a "skipper" on this album at that point, which can't be said for others. Maybe the last track, but I'll put the effort in and learn to love it
Hearing the DJ versions of EOD & Gotta keep on, 2 years ago, I was worried that the brothers took the daft punk route and ditched electronic for more disco theme.
and yes I also wish Here Come The Drums or Problem:Question get put on a re-release
I concur with the track No Geography needing to be longer... That's why I did an extended mix myself. Slightly longer intro (from the end of Bango) extended bit in the middle and ending with a beat mixed with the outro ;)
Not sure the best way to share the mix, ie legalities etc
Hello by the way, long time chems fan, signed up long ago but never got around to posting much!
EDIT: Here is my aforementioned Extended Mix:
https://youtu.be/im5nopTDAfc