Wednesday, July 1, 2009

You Can't Take It With You


Last week I made a post about one of my anticipated albums of the year. As Tall As Lions' You Can't Take It With You. I've been able to listen to the record only a day or two since making that post. I wrote a short but sweet write up over at www.rabbitholemusic.com. Since writing those thoughts, and already mentioning how it's their best CD, I've listened to the album several more times. This CD is truly AWESOME, and top 10 of the year material. The album consists of their best song written yet ("In Case of Rapture"), their most uniquely depressing song yet, ("Sleepyhead"), their best single yet, ("Circles"), and a few songs that take a few spins to click, but in the end really end up making the album special.

Be ready on August 18th to hear one of the year's best surprises.

17 comments:

Nick S. said...

I was wondering if there was anyway you could send me the song "Go Easy" or (See the Love). I have wanted to hear it finished for so long!

Chris said...

Nick, sorry! I can't send anything from this album.

Nick S. said...

No problem! I can for sure wait! How does "Go Easy" sound though?

Chris said...

Go Easy's mood reminds me of something off of the self-titled, but with a different atmosphere. It's sexy, slow, groovy, and there is hints of post rock influenced tremolo guitars. There's a really good guitar lead in the bridge of the song.

Nick S. said...

That sounds sweet. I'm sorry to egg you with all these questions about the songs. I just have one more, how does 'Sixes and Sevens' sound? I don't know if they have played it live. Thank you for answering about 'Go Easy' by the way!

Chris said...

Hey, no problem man! I honestly don't mind. Sixes and Sevens is on the first few listens a pretty...NORMAL song but more listens reveals the unique use of percussion and timing. Lots of acoustic guitar driven melodies, gang singing, and a very Porcupine Tree sounding section with a melotrone. It's wonderful.

Nick S. said...

Thank you very much! I can't wait to hear this album. I guess i'll just ask about a couple more songs if you don't mind then? Then that is it, I promise. How is the title track? And how is 'The Narrows'? Once again, thanks alot man!

Chris said...

The title track is interesting. It's got a very hip hop influenced sounding beat, and acoustic driven chorus. Steady song and a fantastic one. The Narrows was at first one of the least interesting to me, but is now one of my favorites. I love the lyrics and the message to the song and the last couple minutes are some of the more inspiring and catchy parts of the record.

But the song should be most excited for is "In Case of Rapture"! I truly think it's their best song yet.

Nick S. said...

Your descriptions are great man. Thanks a billion. How does "In Case of Rapture" sound? Sorry, I am just anticipating this album too much.

Chris said...

In Case of Rapture is clearly about religion being stupid, and that there is no God etc etc. But that's not even close to why it's a great song. The melodies, the instrumentation, the structure of the song, everything is just fantastic. You'll love it.

Nick S. said...

Sweet! I forgot to ask about "Duermete", "Sleepyhead" and "Lost my Mind". What do you think about those?

Chris said...

Duermete is an 8 minute track, which is odd to be placed in the middle of the album. The structure of the song is pillowed between a gorgeous intro and outro. The song itself is extremely slow paced and somber. Almost bluesy.

What's funny about these three songs you ask about is that they are the real depressing songs on the album.

"Sleepyhead" is probably my 2nd favorite behind "In Case of Rapture". The lyrics hit me on a personal level so that may have something to do with it. Vocally it's like nothing they've ever done. It almost sounds like Conor Oberst. It's really dreamy and melancholic, mostly due to the beautiful harp in the song.

"Lost my Mind" was my least favorite at first which bothered me due to it being the closing track. It's very simple, but I do now like it a lot. I don't want to really spoil any surprises but it seems there's two perspectives to the track. You'll know what I mean when you hear it. ;)

Nick S. said...

Thank you thank you thank you Chris! All of these descriptions are great. Only about a month away then i can finally hear it. I rarely get this excited for an album. I have just always loved As Tall As Lions since Lafcadio. Easily my favorite band just in front of the locals Minus the Bear.

Nick S. said...

I almost forgot to ask about "We's Been Waitin'" and "Is This Tomorrow?". Sorry Chris i just got to know!

Chris said...

Haha no problem.

"We's Been Waitin" is an odd song but really stands out. It reminds me of something the Dear Hunter would do. It's very bluesy, with lots of clapping, and a catchy sing-along chorus.

"Is This Tomorrow?" is another song with an almost hip hop sounding beat, overtop piano. Good song. The bridge has gorgeous vocal harmonies.

Nick S. said...

Sounds pretty much more than amazing. How is the instrumentation on "The Narrows"? I think that is my final question. I couldn't ask anymore.

Chris said...

I think I mentioned the Narrows before. It's got a really dancey, clap along verse, catchy chorus, and really emotional and uplifting ending. I love it.