[direwolf74]

You guys are making me feel a little more positive about the album now. It sounds like they may have released two of the weakest tracks as singles.

I look forward to listening to it.

At Transformation is not a weak track.

Agreed. That song has been kicking my ass since it was released, and I think it's one of the best songs on the record.

[screw_ball]

I'm going to start out by complaining,

Am I the only one bothered by the production? It leaves no space at all. For anything. There is literally always at least 3 or 4 sounds going on at once. I am now listening to "About this Map" and it reminds me of IVL a bit...but the production was way more laid back on that. Forceful? Is that a good word for the production?

EDIT: This song reminds me of "The Rules", not IVL. Remember the arrangement on that? The production on this album works for songs like At Transformation, Streets Ahead, Take Forever, but am I the only one who finds it exhausting? It's like it's yelling BUY BUY LISTEN BUY LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEE. I can't even focus on the music.

EDIT EDIT: Everything just blends together...am I crazy?

[SoylentGreg]

I'm going to start out by complaining,

Am I the only one bothered by the production? It leaves no space at all. For anything. There is literally always at least 3 or 4 sounds going on at once. I am now listening to "About this Map" and it reminds me of IVL a bit...but the production was way more laid back on that. Forceful? Is that a good word for the production?

EDIT: This song reminds me of "The Rules", not IVL. Remember the arrangement on that? The production on this album works for songs like At Transformation, Streets Ahead, Take Forever, but am I the only one who finds it exhausting? It's like it's yelling BUY BUY LISTEN BUY LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEE. I can't even focus on the music.

I understand what you're saying. Like, Gord's vocals sound great but I can literally not understand any non-chorus words on half the songs because of the production. It feels like a busier version of The Grand Bounce.

[Dire Wolf]

COMPRESSION :nooooo

I'm going to start out by complaining,

Am I the only one bothered by the production? It leaves no space at all. For anything. There is literally always at least 3 or 4 sounds going on at once. I am now listening to "About this Map" and it reminds me of IVL a bit...but the production was way more laid back on that. Forceful? Is that a good word for the production?

EDIT: This song reminds me of "The Rules", not IVL. Remember the arrangement on that? The production on this album works for songs like At Transformation, Streets Ahead, Take Forever, but am I the only one who finds it exhausting? It's like it's yelling BUY BUY LISTEN BUY LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEE. I can't even focus on the music.

I understand what you're saying. Like, Gord's vocals sound great but I can literally not understand any non-chorus words on half the songs because of the production. It feels like a busier version of The Grand Bounce.

[The Horrible Esthete]

This record is awesome.

[SoylentGreg]

This record is awesome.

Woah, haven't seen you around these parts in a while.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Well you know. Lotsa ghosts 'round here.

[Moosehead]

Kind of liking The Modern Spirit.

Even though it sounds like a sitcom theme

[direwolf74]

This record is awesome.

Welcome back, Esthete! Good to see ya.

[jgardz]

At transformation is still my fave, as its the only real "grungy rocker" track, and that's usually my the type of song I gravitate to...like Rink, scar, etc. after a few more listens tonight I'm not finding a lot to get excited over, though I'm glad I seem to be in the minority here. Maybe a few days of repeat listens will change my mind.

[direwolf74]

I'm going to start out by complaining,

Am I the only one bothered by the production? It leaves no space at all. For anything. There is literally always at least 3 or 4 sounds going on at once. I am now listening to "About this Map" and it reminds me of IVL a bit...but the production was way more laid back on that. Forceful? Is that a good word for the production?

EDIT: This song reminds me of "The Rules", not IVL. Remember the arrangement on that? The production on this album works for songs like At Transformation, Streets Ahead, Take Forever, but am I the only one who finds it exhausting? It's like it's yelling BUY BUY LISTEN BUY LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEE. I can't even focus on the music.

EDIT EDIT: Everything just blends together...am I crazy?

I wouldn't say you're crazy, as everyone's ears are different and people hear different things when it comes to music. Personally I'm happy with the production on this album. I like it a hell of a lot more than Bob Rock's work on the last two albums. I do agree that IVL had better sound quality (as did PP and Music@Work for that matter). I think Steve Berlin and Don Smith are arguably the best producers they've ever worked with in terms of capturing this band they way they should sound in the studio. I'm not hopeful they'll ever capture that sound again, especially with the way modern records are mixed and mastered these days; compression and all that stuff. I know it can be done though, as I've heard quite a few albums over the last couple of years that have really warm production and are mixed really well. The new Patterson Hood record comes to mind. Terrific sound on that one. I've always thought the Hip should hook up with Brendan O'Brien one of these days. That dude's albums always sound great.

[googolplex]

Um guys, I'm sorry for what I said before about how this album was probably going to be bad and the Hip had run their course. I think this album is actually pretty good after a couple listens. Some songs are particularly striking.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Welcome back, Esthete! Good to see ya.

Thanks DW, Good to have a new record to jaw about!

[googolplex]

Kind of liking The Modern Spirit.

Even though it sounds like a sitcom theme

Oh no. Cannot unhear.

[googolplex]

I agree on the production. The cymbals are totally crushed on Take Forever. Sounds awful. Do you guys hear what I mean on that track?