good weren’t they
9 Likes
Agreed!
I’m enjoying Joseph D’Agostino’s solo work too.
Empty Country II came out earlier this year, it’s good.
4 Likes
the most unfairly underrated of the 10s alt guitar bands. Think every album was great with a new twist on their basic formula. Still think he’s one of the great modern lyricists too - can’t get over the perfect balance in track like these between the strange-stoned imagery, and the pin-point emotional details
Remember you and I would get so high
We’d pass out with our shoes on
First light through leaves
This was back when my smoke would juke
And stutter in the highway crossbreeze
4 Likes
good enough to make me write like @TAFH33
1 Like
Totally agree, Pretty Years is a top 10 all timer for me
the new empty country record is really, really good. joe’s got to be one of my favourite songwriters.
anyone going to the hackney gig in london this tuesday? only date in all of europe this year so i can’t imagine them being back for a while.
cymbals gigs in the 2010s were some of my most cherished live experiences, criminally underrated band.
1 Like
I hadn’t realised they were doing any gigs over here. Don’t think I can hightail it down there but very very tempted.
The EC album is neck and neck with Young Fathers for my album of the year. It just really captures the scope of early Modest mouse - just that bleak Americana feel.
I only saw Cymbals once, on their last tour in Camden but they were amazing.
The Empty Country II album is really growing on me (and not just because Pearl references Cherub Rock, something I just realized)
1 Like
ditto, think the songs/melodies/structures are really strong - as I’d expect from him
however, I think the production lacks something? some of the guitar lines sound a bit weak, which is sad for such a killer player - doesn’t really hit like a full-band album should, or sound as good as CEG albums did (they were super rich and layered by the end)
2 Likes
Opening track of the debut album was so good that nothing else could really live up to it. Haven’t listened to the later stuff enough though.
Saw them touring the first album and had a nice time.
1 Like
smdh
2 Likes
I really love it (it’s my album of the year) but yeah can understand those points about the production.
1 Like
adored Lose as an album - would put that right up with best of the decade, and liked some of Pretty Years, but haven’t really connected with the Empty Country stuff
Xr is a devastating song
1 Like
1 Like
I’ve probably mentioned on here before but for me Joe (across Cymbals and Empty Country) has one of the best discographies this century. I find all his records at least great and Pretty Years is a top 10 of all time for me.
Not to diminish any criticism but the songwriting shines through even when the production is less on point.
3 Likes
up there with fav lyricists for me
2 Likes
He’s amongst the best at tying his (or his characters) everyday experiences into ‘bigger’ themes and it works for me every time.
4th July, Philadelphia (Sandy) does this so well. A song ostensibly about a night out that turns sinister gets into the concept of multiverses and what that means about purpose and happiness. Just great stuff.
3 Likes
I hope that one day an artist will actually make a solo album that’s more aggressive and guitar-dominant than their regular material.
I was listening to ECII last night and really enjoying it but then my wife asked me if I was listening to Cats the Musical. Not sure if I can recover.