Roy-at-tth Wrote:Good point; I didn't think of it that way.
But - I would still maintain that the poll does reflect the opinion of people who have an 'ear' for the hip - so i think naturally there would be a bias there.
Wouldn't that same bias be present in yourself, then?
Roy-at-tth Wrote:To me, for instance, Rink sounds like a freaking amazing song...but I think in terms of an average listener (and here comes the discussion about who cares about the average listener...) Rink may not be as good as some other songs.
I don't know about the average listener, but as an American I'd certainly say that the majority of my friends would be first-time listeners and all would find it easier to relate to the thundering drums of "Rink" than the somewhat hard-ta-get-used-to sound of desperation in Gord's voice during "Fly," (certainly getting used to his voice is a stumbling block for non-fans). And don't get me wrong, I love Fly, especially the "Coastline" verse.
Roy-at-tth Wrote:People I've had listen to it seemed not to like it as much as other songs...(granted this is kind of sketchy 'market research'). To me, FLY (specifically) is something that has a universally charming sound...moreso than Rink.
I'd argue Rink is more universal and would fit better on radio, but everyone has their own opinion. However, it's not as if the poll was really that close, either: 26% to Fly's 16%.
Curious, did you think "In View" was a good choice as the first single?
FighterAndLover Wrote:Roy-at-tth Wrote:Good point; I didn't think of it that way.
But - I would still maintain that the poll does reflect the opinion of people who have an 'ear' for the hip - so i think naturally there would be a bias there.
Wouldn't that same bias be present in yourself, then?
Roy-at-tth Wrote:To me, for instance, Rink sounds like a freaking amazing song...but I think in terms of an average listener (and here comes the discussion about who cares about the average listener...) Rink may not be as good as some other songs.
I don't know about the average listener, but as an American I'd certainly say that the majority of my friends would be first-time listeners and all would find it easier to relate to the thundering drums of "Rink" than the somewhat hard-ta-get-used-to sound of desperation in Gord's voice during "Fly," (certainly getting used to his voice is a stumbling block for non-fans). And don't get me wrong, I love Fly, especially the "Coastline" verse.
Roy-at-tth Wrote:People I've had listen to it seemed not to like it as much as other songs...(granted this is kind of sketchy 'market research'). To me, FLY (specifically) is something that has a universally charming sound...moreso than Rink.
I'd argue Rink is more universal and would fit better on radio, but everyone has their own opinion. However, it's not as if the poll was really that close, either: 26% to Fly's 16%.
Curious, did you think "In View" was a good choice as the first single?
Intially no, and then suddenly yes in the span of about an hour.
As for my bias - I'm actually not saying what my ear says here - I'm arguing what numerous friends have told me. To me Rink sounds fine..but in terms of single choice, I really can't tell the difference - lol - all hip songs are good, na mean..?
The concern about Gord's voice in fly is not something I considered -- really good point! I am surprised: it's less annoying than you 'yooou and meee' of rink? If so then, yeah, HUGE misjudgment on my part.
And as for the pole - I still don't think that should serve as any fundamental basis for an argument. I mean, leave alone that it was given by Hip fans who have an ear for the hip (I think i voted for Rink, lol, which is funny in all this -- but i guess goes to show that I'm talking about non-hip-fans reactions) - I also know that lots of us got to hear and have rink sink in with us WELL before the album came out and get used to it...whereas Fly (played in pitsburg) wasn't as readily accessible. Does that matter? I'm not sure. Why am I writing so much about something so inconcequential? I don't know.
I guess my point at the end of the day is this: even if i cast doubt on the poll, you can cast doubt on my "average listens" comment; that said, I know for a fact that SOME listeners would decry rink as a single in favor of most any other song on the album. The question is, i guess, would there be another song on the album that would attract more people to the Hip (again, if we assume that the purpose of a single is to attract fans to the hip? I still think yes.
I think I actually posted that before.
Ps - i've always had a beef with hip's song choices...so this probably just pent up frustration.
anywyas, take it easy bro.
I also agree entirely with the choice of In View as the first single.
Fly to me sounds less of a rocking radio-wave tune to me, though. I don't see the way Gord sings "Flyyyyyyyyy!" and "guyyyyyyy!" attracting the people that I hear everyday saying "I can't get used to his voice." You can tell from the opening chords that Fly was going to be vocal driven whereas something like Rink just bursts into the guitar riff that drives the song, and as I said before I don't think Gord's voice (with the exception of a few songs ie ABAC or Bobcaygeon) is going to 'convert' anyone.
FighterAndLover Wrote:I also agree entirely with the choice of In View as the first single.
Fly to me sounds less of a rocking radio-wave tune to me, though. I don't see the way Gord sings "Flyyyyyyyyy!" and "guyyyyyyy!" attracting the people that I hear everyday saying "I can't get used to his voice." You can tell from the opening chords that Fly was going to be vocal driven whereas something like Rink just bursts into the guitar riff that drives the song, and as I said before I don't think Gord's voice (with the exception of a few songs ie ABAC or Bobcaygeon) is going to 'convert' anyone.
Yeah, I definitely see what you're saying. I'm still skeptical bout rink but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree (or rather, I'll have to suck it up lol).
I enjoyed having an exchange with you that was more insightful than just name calling, and so on. Really appreciate that man.