Disappointed about North
- King_of_Spain
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Disappointed about North
Hi
I´ve just listened the last EC album and I have to say I´m absolutely disappointed.
Most of the songs are built as an endless repetition of one single line (ok, you may call it 'minimalism', but I just get bored of listening the same tune and lyrics for about six or seven minutes). I hoped it to be something similar to "Juliet": a leap forward on classics, ok, but not losing the sense of melody and of course not tempting the listeners to throw the CD away at the third or fourth track.
I´ve to declare I have downloaded it from the net, so I have even thought about it these songs I´ve got are just like a joke, a trick, from some EC fan to force people to buy the CD, cutting and pasting the same line on a track during 6 minutes. I mean, it´s possible that the songs in the CD are different... are they?
If not, I´ll keep on being disappointed and waiting for another When I was cruel as soon as possible.
I´ve just listened the last EC album and I have to say I´m absolutely disappointed.
Most of the songs are built as an endless repetition of one single line (ok, you may call it 'minimalism', but I just get bored of listening the same tune and lyrics for about six or seven minutes). I hoped it to be something similar to "Juliet": a leap forward on classics, ok, but not losing the sense of melody and of course not tempting the listeners to throw the CD away at the third or fourth track.
I´ve to declare I have downloaded it from the net, so I have even thought about it these songs I´ve got are just like a joke, a trick, from some EC fan to force people to buy the CD, cutting and pasting the same line on a track during 6 minutes. I mean, it´s possible that the songs in the CD are different... are they?
If not, I´ll keep on being disappointed and waiting for another When I was cruel as soon as possible.
- verbal gymnastics
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KoS - Open your mind and your heart.
Whilst it takes a little while to get into it you have to persevere. I personally prefer the rowdy rhythm records and I very very rarely play The Juliet Letters. However you pays your money etc.
If you're a new fan then there are plenty of albums you should buy before this one.
If you're a long time fan then you should know better!![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Whilst it takes a little while to get into it you have to persevere. I personally prefer the rowdy rhythm records and I very very rarely play The Juliet Letters. However you pays your money etc.
If you're a new fan then there are plenty of albums you should buy before this one.
If you're a long time fan then you should know better!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
- King_of_Spain
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Do you really think it´s a matter of knowing it better??
I think it´s just I don´t like some EC´s "experiments" at all (the Bacharach one, for instance). But it´s a part of it, otherwise it wouldn´t be EC.
There was some old ad from Schweppes here in Spain who used to say: "Maybe it´s just that you haven´t tried it enough". That is about your commentary about "Juliet", which I consider absolutely great.
I think it´s just I don´t like some EC´s "experiments" at all (the Bacharach one, for instance). But it´s a part of it, otherwise it wouldn´t be EC.
There was some old ad from Schweppes here in Spain who used to say: "Maybe it´s just that you haven´t tried it enough". That is about your commentary about "Juliet", which I consider absolutely great.
"Sometimes I name and number all the things you gave to me"
- bambooneedle
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- King_of_Spain
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- bambooneedle
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- King_of_Spain
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- bambooneedle
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Some albums just grow on you. It's one of those weird phenomenas. Or maybe it's the sort of album that will suddenly hit you one day, based on whatever you're going through at the time. Or maybe the weather is too hot in Spain to set the proper mood for North. ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
This morning you've got time for a hot, home-cooked breakfast! Delicious and piping hot in only 3 microwave minutes.
- verbal gymnastics
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I didn't say that. All I meant is that if you are a long time fan (which you seem to be) then most of us realise that there are many stages, musical styles etc that our man will go through. We go through those with him. It doesn't mean we necessarily like them ourselves but each person has their own taste.King_of_Spain wrote:Do you really think it´s a matter of knowing it better??
Believe me I've tried and I've tried (and I'm still mystified (sorry)) with TJL but it does nothing for me apart from Jacksons Monk and Rowe and The Birds Will Still Be Singing.
Other people love tracks that I happily skip and no doubt vice versa.
Who’s this kid with his mumbo jumbo?
- A rope leash
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Old fart musings
As a middle aged person that has been a fan of Elvis for nigh on 25 years now, all I can really say about North is that we couldn't call it unexpected.
It's very beautiful, and the song Still stays stuck in my head. But I have to say that it lacks the wit and passion of The Juliet Letters, and hints at Elvis' possible exhaustion. It shouldn't surprise anyone that "Northenol" puts this old dog right to sleep, because it seems that Elvis himself is quite tired, tired of thinking, tired of singing, tired of Rock and Roll.
I think North is very good, and Josie just loves it. Right now, it's hovering above For the Stars on my list of least favorite Elvis albums, but I've only heard it all the way through about 5ive times, so who knows?
Maybe it needs more cowbell...
It's very beautiful, and the song Still stays stuck in my head. But I have to say that it lacks the wit and passion of The Juliet Letters, and hints at Elvis' possible exhaustion. It shouldn't surprise anyone that "Northenol" puts this old dog right to sleep, because it seems that Elvis himself is quite tired, tired of thinking, tired of singing, tired of Rock and Roll.
I think North is very good, and Josie just loves it. Right now, it's hovering above For the Stars on my list of least favorite Elvis albums, but I've only heard it all the way through about 5ive times, so who knows?
Maybe it needs more cowbell...
North is a masterpiece. It ranks high among his best albums. It may even be his best. 10, 20, even 50 years from now this will be remembered as his rebirth in the industry as an adult, and I don't mean a VH1 adult.
You want punk, go buy a White Stripes record, or Eminem, both of whom I love. Elvis will be busy writing masterpieces from now on.
You want punk, go buy a White Stripes record, or Eminem, both of whom I love. Elvis will be busy writing masterpieces from now on.
I can't be bothered with TJL, but really enjoy both Painted From Memory and North.
Having said that - and despite hearing the North songs performed superbly last night - I did just conk out on the couch with North on the hi-fi.
Maybe it's something to do with the songs not being dissimilar, or very attention grabbing. But they are beautiful.
Having said that - and despite hearing the North songs performed superbly last night - I did just conk out on the couch with North on the hi-fi.
Maybe it's something to do with the songs not being dissimilar, or very attention grabbing. But they are beautiful.
Four eyes - one vision
- SoLikeCandy
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King, it's entirely possible that you downloaded "loops". Very few of the songs on North are 6 minutes long--in fact, I can only think of one. And, I downloaded a few tracks, and they all repeat one line or one or two measures, for 4-6 minutes.
Do yourself a favor and buy the CD. You will not be disappointed.
Do yourself a favor and buy the CD. You will not be disappointed.
If there's one thing you can say about mankind--there's nothing kind about man
- A rope leash
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My buddy wiser
C-bart,
I keep thinking that you are joking about North.
I must admit I have yet to mix it with alcohol...what if I wind up like one of those maudlin crybabies down on the end of the bar?
I guess I could try it for a weekend...
I keep thinking that you are joking about North.
I must admit I have yet to mix it with alcohol...what if I wind up like one of those maudlin crybabies down on the end of the bar?
I guess I could try it for a weekend...
- noiseradio
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I like North a LOT, but it does sometimes help cure my insomnia
The songwriting is, IMO, actually a lot more sophisticated than people are giving him credit for. The lyrics were written to fit the music. His usual wordiness, filled with double entendres and snappy phrases just wouldn't work. You have to give him a lot of credit for being able to change his writing style with such facility.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
The songwriting is, IMO, actually a lot more sophisticated than people are giving him credit for. The lyrics were written to fit the music. His usual wordiness, filled with double entendres and snappy phrases just wouldn't work. You have to give him a lot of credit for being able to change his writing style with such facility.
-
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A lot of North's appeal is what is says, so lyrically the language barrier could be a problem, but your english seems pretty good.
Also maybe it means more to us distorted souls that have loved and lost, and all that blueness, I guess if you've only experienced happiness (is that possible?) then North might seem alien.
Also maybe it means more to us distorted souls that have loved and lost, and all that blueness, I guess if you've only experienced happiness (is that possible?) then North might seem alien.
- Jackson Doofster
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Re: Old fart musings
Rope~you took the words right out of my mouth. I don't know about the cowbell, though!A rope leash wrote:As a middle aged person that has been a fan of Elvis for nigh on 25 years now, all I can really say about North is that we couldn't call it unexpected.
It's very beautiful, and the song Still stays stuck in my head. But I have to say that it lacks the wit and passion of The Juliet Letters, and hints at Elvis' possible exhaustion. It shouldn't surprise anyone that "Northenol" puts this old dog right to sleep, because it seems that Elvis himself is quite tired, tired of thinking, tired of singing, tired of Rock and Roll.
I think North is very good, and Josie just loves it. Right now, it's hovering above For the Stars on my list of least favorite Elvis albums, but I've only heard it all the way through about 5ive times, so who knows?
Maybe it needs more cowbell...
But let me also say that the first time I heard any of these songs was live..... and I loved them!! I've only listened to the CD all the way through only 3 times so.....maybe I'll find a place for it one day.
I see it as EC trying to make a transfer over to the kind of performer that his father was. I heard people saying back when PFM came out how he was looking so much like his father when he performed w/Burt Bacharach.
(I've never seen or heard his dad perform.) Shrewd move. After all, 50 is right around the corner. EC is always mentioning his age and how long he's been around, like it bothers him in some way or makes him feel out of place. I don't see it that way at all and I don't see it as a move that he may be doing to become more mainstream (for lack of a better word.) Maybe he thinks he needs to change his tune (ha!) because of his age. I don't know....something like that!
I loved the JulietLetters and also PFM. As a matter of fact I gave PFM a listen recently and appreciate it even more......after hearing North.
I don't remember if it was posted here but there was a really wonderful review of North in Slate magazine that someone sent me. (I'm not sure now, is it a magazine?) But it was a very good article and it made me appreciate what EC had accomplished with North. And for all that, I admire him tremendously and am not abandoning ship!
Cbartal~that comment about if you want punk, buy a White Stripes CD isn't fair! I (and I'm sure there are many others) am not a fairweather Elvis fan! I have been a fan from the get go and have stuck with him loving and admiring every twist and turn his music has taken. I'm not going to deny how much I love TYM but I love TJL just as much....and IB is, I think, my fav record of all time!
(Please don't take this as an "attack" on you, Cbartal! I don't mean it with that tone at all!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I respect tremendously what EC has accomplished with North. He is a true "punk" in every sense of the word and that's a big part of his appeal to me. I just don't put it in the masterpiece catagory.
I'm not angry anymore....
- King_of_Spain
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OK: I will buy it.SoLikeCandy wrote:King, it's entirely possible that you downloaded "loops". Very few of the songs on North are 6 minutes long--in fact, I can only think of one. And, I downloaded a few tracks, and they all repeat one line or one or two measures, for 4-6 minutes.
Do yourself a favor and buy the CD. You will not be disappointed.
I´m almost sure I have only downloaded the "loops" you talk about. Otherwise, I can´t understand why so many people talk about a "masterpiece" when all I hear is the same line again and again and again.
"Sometimes I name and number all the things you gave to me"
No offense taken Sweet Pear...
With my punk comment I was simply trying to illustrate that I think Elvis may have, with North, turned a corner down a path that he may never come back from. North is his most simply sophisticated album (if that's not an oxymoron). It's brimming with an honesty that has never been found in Elvis's music.
Before hearing North, I figured that he might write two companion pieces, North, followed up by South, which is what I thought perhaps he'd title the album he was talking about making in the various studios in the Southern states.
He might very well still do that, but I think he's found this whole new side of him whiich really wasn't truly explored until North. He does seem rather proud of this album, doesn't he? From all I've read, you kind of get the feeling that he really takes pride in this album, like he hasn't in an album of his for a long time. He was beginning to slightly diss WIWC by the time the tour was over, if I recall. I think he really, really loves this album, and I'm with him all the way.
With my punk comment I was simply trying to illustrate that I think Elvis may have, with North, turned a corner down a path that he may never come back from. North is his most simply sophisticated album (if that's not an oxymoron). It's brimming with an honesty that has never been found in Elvis's music.
Before hearing North, I figured that he might write two companion pieces, North, followed up by South, which is what I thought perhaps he'd title the album he was talking about making in the various studios in the Southern states.
He might very well still do that, but I think he's found this whole new side of him whiich really wasn't truly explored until North. He does seem rather proud of this album, doesn't he? From all I've read, you kind of get the feeling that he really takes pride in this album, like he hasn't in an album of his for a long time. He was beginning to slightly diss WIWC by the time the tour was over, if I recall. I think he really, really loves this album, and I'm with him all the way.
- King_of_Spain
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OK, I have to apologize...
Now it´s sure: I have checked the lyrics of the album ( http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/offi ... /north.htm )and THESE ARE NOT THE SONGS I DOWNLOADED. They are just loops: I have been cheated.
I´ll buy the record. I promise to be good in the future and not to try to download illegal EC material again: I´ll take this brilliant mistake as a punishment for my crimes![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
Now it´s sure: I have checked the lyrics of the album ( http://www.elviscostello.info/disc/offi ... /north.htm )and THESE ARE NOT THE SONGS I DOWNLOADED. They are just loops: I have been cheated.
I´ll buy the record. I promise to be good in the future and not to try to download illegal EC material again: I´ll take this brilliant mistake as a punishment for my crimes
![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
"Sometimes I name and number all the things you gave to me"