Tsunami wrote:
Skipjack wrote:
Nope, no filler tracks on the CD. They are just on the digital download which is a good thing since they would otherwise just be a distraction IMO. I'm still pretty high on this album. Each listen I enjoy it more than the last (though I did take a few days off of it). The musicianship, again my opinion, of this album is far superb to the past ones. Having said that the polish/mix put on the recording is pretty impressive and I have no doubt that is a big part of what I am hearing.
One thing that I do miss compared to past albums is the very linear/clear buildup and crescendo (classic prog rock shit) but what I'm starting to really appreciate about this one is that there seem to be several buildups/crescendo's within most of the tracks where the last is not as huge but is still slightly bigger than the previous ones within the same song...not sure if that makes sense or not.
Also catching a lot of really interesting double (maybe triple?) tracking of Maynard's voice throughout. Really noticeable in 7empest in the "we" parts (I think that one has to be triple tracked). No doubt there are a lot more neat tricks on this album still yet to be discovered.
Yeah I follow, the multiple crescendo's is something I've also enjoyed about this album. I've picked up on some layers of lyrics too. I think headphones could be cool for listening. I still have an obnoxious pair of giant Princess Leia type oness, but I don't have anything to plug them into! My hooked up home CD player at the moment is actually the blue ray player.
OH, one more point. Several posts back someone mentioned they wish Maynard would let it out in one song, believe it was Culling Voices. And I wondered... Push It was re-done to be more quiet, introspective seeming. I wonder if when performed live, Culling might go the other way?
For what it's worth I think there is something awesome about listening on a pair of Princess Leia headphones. My CD player is an Xbox 360 (thanks again WelshinPhilly) but I've been primarily listening in the car. Just waiting out the vinyl version so I can run it through my home system properly.
I think it was probably sphere who wanted Maynard to really bust it out (I think your right on it being Culling Voices) but I was hoping he would raise it up a anger level or two on 7empest..just seems like the most appropriate track for that IMO. With it being the last track (and most aggressive one) it would have been pretty badass..
I would not hold out much hope of Maynard busting out angry/aggressive Maynard voice again live though. That ship has probably sailed as he's mentioned in a bunch of articles that he's not that guy anymore plus he's likely done a decent amount of damage to his vocal chords over the years. Saw them live in 2017 (Gorge in WA) and he did not raise the octave much at all which was interesting considering they did tracks from Opiate. Pretty sure WelshinPhilly had the same experience at his show in 17). Still an amazing show though.