03-01-2018, 08:28 PM
sean.bonner Wrote:
![[Image: e4350fe485cacb52f35dce216bd208e9f442123c...c0e6e4.jpg]](http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/e4/e4350fe485cacb52f35dce216bd208e9f442123c38a9a74abe2ead9257c0e6e4.jpg)
Do these effectively hide my thunder?
Do these effectively hide my thunder?
03-02-2018, 09:33 AM
No better time to revisit these little behind-the-scenes videos recorded at the Bathouse videos during the WATS sesssions:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgsEvQSFuY
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbibMtb3-E0
With lines like, “The biggest thing with recording is...finding the time to kill in between takes” from Sinclair, how can you go wrong? :rambo:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgsEvQSFuY
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbibMtb3-E0
With lines like, “The biggest thing with recording is...finding the time to kill in between takes” from Sinclair, how can you go wrong? :rambo:
03-02-2018, 12:30 PM
Moof_Milker Wrote:Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbibMtb3-E0
I've always wanted to know what that mystery song is that starts around the 3:13 mark. It sounds f'n amazing. What a shame that something so badass didn't make the final cut for the album. Hopefully it finds it's way onto a b-sides album eventually.
03-02-2018, 01:13 PM
direwolf74 Wrote:Moof_Milker Wrote:Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbibMtb3-E0
I've always wanted to know what that mystery song is that starts around the 3:13 mark. It sounds f'n amazing. What a shame that something so badass didn't make the final cut for the album. Hopefully it finds it's way onto a b-sides album eventually.
Rob is pretty darn good at responding to questions on Twitter, I bet he'd answer if you passed along the link. Would be curious to hear an answer too.
03-02-2018, 03:39 PM
I agree that that lost song sounds terrific. I love the tone Rob got from his guitar there - not one we've heard much before from him.
Then again, Bob Rock probably would have put some cheesy keyboards on there, added the requisite auto-tuner, strings, etc., and turned it into a piece of sonic crap. :wink:
Then again, Bob Rock probably would have put some cheesy keyboards on there, added the requisite auto-tuner, strings, etc., and turned it into a piece of sonic crap. :wink:
03-02-2018, 04:59 PM
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:I agree that that lost song sounds terrific. I love the tone Rob got from his guitar there - not one we've heard much before from him.
Then again, Bob Rock probably would have put some cheesy keyboards on there, added the requisite auto-tuner, strings, etc., and turned it into a piece of sonic crap. :wink:
I don't know, it sounded like that was a finished version coming out of the studio speakers there with Bob sitting at the console. Sounds pretty damn good to me.
03-02-2018, 06:45 PM
I probably haven't watched that video since 2008.
That song sounds killer.
That song sounds killer.
03-03-2018, 01:55 AM
I've had mixed feelings about WATS; when it first came out I really didn't like it too much, which was a first for me with a Hip album. Over time, it's grown on me, and I'd rank it above M@W, MMP and UTH (and the EP, but that should go without saying). I really loved the performances that Bob Rock got out of the band, and WATS has some great moments musically. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, the production gets in the way at times on this album, especially on Struggle, Speed River and Country Day.
While I want to connect with Struggle, due to that fact that I worked for about 9 years on the Indian Residential Schools Resolution, I just can't get over the fact that it meanders a lot, and it has over the top strings. It's just too pompous, it seems to me.
Speed River sounds way too "digital" to me, and that's problem I have with the album overall. It's too polished and "harsh", and my ears get tired after a while listening to it. Everything is super compressed, and pushed up in the mix; it's like every instrument is bashing me over the head trying to get my attention. Day For Night is the polar opposite, and one of the reasons it's such a great album is because there are a lot of subtle layers to it; there are a lot of layers on WATS, but they are rarely subtle. Country Day is another example, with the really "thick" backing vocals and over the top strings (again).
I find it surprising that people really didn't like the production on World Container, but the comments for WATS haven't been as bad, whereas I see this album as having a much more negative impact from Rock's production. Also, how did Skeleton Park get cut from this album, it would be the best song on it! I also love Morning Moon, Honey, Please, Frozen in my Tracks and The Exact Feeling. There are are fair amount of good rock tunes on WATS and I always enjoy them I hear them.
The Last Recluse has also grown on me, as has Coffee Girl. I didn't care for them when I first heard them, but over time I have grown to appreciate them a lot more. The Depression Suite is sort of middle of the road for me; some great parts to it, and some that are just ok; it's no Dark Canuck, that's for sure.
I did love the tour for this album; I saw the three Ottawa shows and they were fantastic. I had either second or third row for all of the shows, got to sing into Gord's mic when he ran into the crowd during Blow, and got to hear so many rarities (hello Dark Canuck!). I also adopted my first 2 children just before I went to the shows; I think those 3 nights were the first time I left my wife alone with the kids! She is pretty awesome!
While I want to connect with Struggle, due to that fact that I worked for about 9 years on the Indian Residential Schools Resolution, I just can't get over the fact that it meanders a lot, and it has over the top strings. It's just too pompous, it seems to me.
Speed River sounds way too "digital" to me, and that's problem I have with the album overall. It's too polished and "harsh", and my ears get tired after a while listening to it. Everything is super compressed, and pushed up in the mix; it's like every instrument is bashing me over the head trying to get my attention. Day For Night is the polar opposite, and one of the reasons it's such a great album is because there are a lot of subtle layers to it; there are a lot of layers on WATS, but they are rarely subtle. Country Day is another example, with the really "thick" backing vocals and over the top strings (again).
I find it surprising that people really didn't like the production on World Container, but the comments for WATS haven't been as bad, whereas I see this album as having a much more negative impact from Rock's production. Also, how did Skeleton Park get cut from this album, it would be the best song on it! I also love Morning Moon, Honey, Please, Frozen in my Tracks and The Exact Feeling. There are are fair amount of good rock tunes on WATS and I always enjoy them I hear them.
The Last Recluse has also grown on me, as has Coffee Girl. I didn't care for them when I first heard them, but over time I have grown to appreciate them a lot more. The Depression Suite is sort of middle of the road for me; some great parts to it, and some that are just ok; it's no Dark Canuck, that's for sure.
I did love the tour for this album; I saw the three Ottawa shows and they were fantastic. I had either second or third row for all of the shows, got to sing into Gord's mic when he ran into the crowd during Blow, and got to hear so many rarities (hello Dark Canuck!). I also adopted my first 2 children just before I went to the shows; I think those 3 nights were the first time I left my wife alone with the kids! She is pretty awesome!
03-03-2018, 08:00 AM
Basically I love half this album. The Last Recluse is superb and packs a huge emotional punch. Man. That one hits me hard.
I think Coffee Girl is great too. It’s the band experimenting with something they don’t usually do. It’s a little indie pop song. Gorgeous. What, only U2 is allowed to write pop songs? Come on.
The Depression Suite is awesome. I think it builds as it goes and I can fondly recall Gord singing this in a pouring rain at a Rochester show for this tour.
Loved Morning Moon from day one. That one is just beautiful to me.
Country Day is also nice, and a great way to wrap up the album. Capturing what goes into a country day feels like solid subject matter for a mostly rural place like Canada. Reminds me of where my wife grew up in Alberta.
Speed River is fun though I don’t think of it that often.
From here is the drop off.
To me, Love is a First is one of the worst Hip songs I’ve ever heard. Definitely the worst single.
Struggle, Exact and Honey are pretty boring with a few nice elements here or there. Far from memorable.
Queen of the Furrows...ehh. That guitar solo does come way out of left field.
I know some of my friends hated this album when it came out but I always had a soft spot for it.
Looking back it has some underrated highs and some songs that were ruined by the production or not the best tracks in the first place.
Also this was the tour I got to touch Gord on the shoulder during a show In Salamanca, N.Y.
Man, am I happy now I got to do that. I wanted to say thanks for a thousand positive memories in that two-second gesture. Hopefully Gord felt that.
I think Coffee Girl is great too. It’s the band experimenting with something they don’t usually do. It’s a little indie pop song. Gorgeous. What, only U2 is allowed to write pop songs? Come on.
The Depression Suite is awesome. I think it builds as it goes and I can fondly recall Gord singing this in a pouring rain at a Rochester show for this tour.
Loved Morning Moon from day one. That one is just beautiful to me.
Country Day is also nice, and a great way to wrap up the album. Capturing what goes into a country day feels like solid subject matter for a mostly rural place like Canada. Reminds me of where my wife grew up in Alberta.
Speed River is fun though I don’t think of it that often.
From here is the drop off.
To me, Love is a First is one of the worst Hip songs I’ve ever heard. Definitely the worst single.
Struggle, Exact and Honey are pretty boring with a few nice elements here or there. Far from memorable.
Queen of the Furrows...ehh. That guitar solo does come way out of left field.
I know some of my friends hated this album when it came out but I always had a soft spot for it.
Looking back it has some underrated highs and some songs that were ruined by the production or not the best tracks in the first place.
Also this was the tour I got to touch Gord on the shoulder during a show In Salamanca, N.Y.
Man, am I happy now I got to do that. I wanted to say thanks for a thousand positive memories in that two-second gesture. Hopefully Gord felt that.
03-05-2018, 11:01 AM
Escape@Hand Wrote:Speed River sounds way too "digital" to me, and that's problem I have with the album overall. It's too polished and "harsh", and my ears get tired after a while listening to it. Everything is super compressed, and pushed up in the mix; it's like every instrument is bashing me over the head trying to get my attention.!
This is an album that sounds significantly better on vinyl versus any other format. I'm not a big waveform comparison listener, I prefer to let my ears decide, but I think this is their most compressed CD/digital release and a very uncompressed vinyl mastering. On vinyl, there's much more separation of instruments...with the caveat that results may vary depending on the listener's setup....
03-05-2018, 11:10 AM
edgoffin Wrote:Escape@Hand Wrote:Speed River sounds way too "digital" to me, and that's problem I have with the album overall. It's too polished and "harsh", and my ears get tired after a while listening to it. Everything is super compressed, and pushed up in the mix; it's like every instrument is bashing me over the head trying to get my attention.!
This is an album that sounds significantly better on vinyl versus any other format. I'm not a big waveform comparison listener, I prefer to let my ears decide, but I think this is their most compressed CD/digital release and a very uncompressed vinyl mastering. On vinyl, there's much more separation of instruments...with the caveat that results may vary depending on the listener's setup....
FWIW:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=&album=we+are+the+same">http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list? ... e+the+same</a><!-- m -->
The album gets DR07 (bad) when the CD is evaluated and DR13 (almost good) for the vinyl. Like you, I don't put a whole bunch of stock in numbers and prefer to follow my ears but the numbers seem to back up what we're hearing. Also worth noting that the range from min to max on the CD is DR06 to DR07 while the vinyl runs from DR11 to DR15. So certainly much more dynamics; to me the vinyl sounds much more "open."
Shane
03-05-2018, 01:07 PM
gsmacleod Wrote:edgoffin Wrote:Escape@Hand Wrote:Speed River sounds way too "digital" to me, and that's problem I have with the album overall. It's too polished and "harsh", and my ears get tired after a while listening to it. Everything is super compressed, and pushed up in the mix; it's like every instrument is bashing me over the head trying to get my attention.!
This is an album that sounds significantly better on vinyl versus any other format. I'm not a big waveform comparison listener, I prefer to let my ears decide, but I think this is their most compressed CD/digital release and a very uncompressed vinyl mastering. On vinyl, there's much more separation of instruments...with the caveat that results may vary depending on the listener's setup....
FWIW:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=&album=we+are+the+same">http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list? ... e+the+same</a><!-- m -->
The album gets DR07 (bad) when the CD is evaluated and DR13 (almost good) for the vinyl. Like you, I don't put a whole bunch of stock in numbers and prefer to follow my ears but the numbers seem to back up what we're hearing. Also worth noting that the range from min to max on the CD is DR06 to DR07 while the vinyl runs from DR11 to DR15. So certainly much more dynamics; to me the vinyl sounds much more "open."
Shane
Yet another reason I need to get a record player setup...I would be really interested in comparing the CD vs. vinyl. The lack of dynamic range in modern production really gets to me; when you listen to older Hip albums, like DFN, vs. their new releases you can really notice the difference in the overall volume, but also the fact that older albums have a much wider range dynamically, which makes for a much better listening experience.
03-05-2018, 05:27 PM
cochise Wrote:One thing popped out to me I never really paid attention to before. I would have to say "Morning Moon" must be the closest the boys have ever been to recording what could be considered a country song?
ryan93 Wrote:Like quite a few ahead of me have already said, this is probably my least favourite Hip album outside of the EP. Morning Moon & The Last Recluse are my two favorited tracks, both are outstanding. Morning Moon to me has a live Blue Rodeo-ish feel to it. The album starts off good, but I start to lose interest after Coffee Girl, though it ends strong with a Country Day.
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:It's a sound I always wanted hear much more of from the Hip.
I was disappointed that the rest of WATS didn't come close to Morning Moon, which was a fantastic single. I know some might have been disappointed if they'd done an album of folksy rock, but I'd have taken it at that stage in their career over the generic rockers, silly guitar solos, and overproduced slabs of melodrama that make up much of the rest of the album.
03-06-2018, 10:31 AM
daylight Wrote:I was disappointed that the rest of WATS didn't come close to Morning Moon, which was a fantastic single.
Same here -- it was the first lead single in a few albums that really grabbed me.
03-06-2018, 01:44 PM
edgoffin Wrote:daylight Wrote:I was disappointed that the rest of WATS didn't come close to Morning Moon, which was a fantastic single.
Same here -- it was the first lead single in a few albums that really grabbed me.
Wasn't Love is a First the lead single?