#126

Was really looking forward to King Princess. Album left zero lasting impression

#127

It’s beautifully played, well produced and has a couple of good songs (I love Not in Kansas) but it does sound like a band running out of ideas and desperately trying to find something to say. I’m always deeply suspicious of bands needing to find ‘artistic collaborations’ and making ‘projects’ rather than just recording sets of good songs and I think The National exemplify this at the moment. I agree with you that there is a lot of overly exaggerated criticism of the album but ‘disappointing’ is appropriate for it I think.

1 Like
#128

That’s it , it always bothered me what song this sounded like.

1 Like
#129

One of the real problems for me is how interchangeable most of the female vocalists sound. Not sure if it’s the mix or the way they’re used in the songs or whatever but it seems annoying the way they’re just a sort of constant aural wallpaper rather each having their own distinctive role or voice.

I think the lp would have been loads better if they’d done a proper collaboration with a female songwriter with a distinctive voice and got her involved in the writing process

2 Likes
#130

Bon Iver. So forgettable I had to double check it was actually released before posting.

2 Likes
#131

Luckily A Day With The Homies is now on Spotify, which is the best thing he’s done in years.

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#132

Fishies is great! But then Paper Mache Dream Balloon is my favourite of their albums so I think I just like their pop side more than most

#133

The title track was godawful imo (the video even worse), but then I don’t like PMDB either. I’m a Mind Fuzz, Float Along kind of fan.

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#134

I bought this and had totally forgotten it exists until now

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#135

the thrash one is alright, does what it does convincingly though it’s not exactly for me. Fishing For Fishies is pish though

Flying Microtonal Banana was great

#136

I hadn’t really thought of that, but I think you’re right. The use of female guest vocalists by male bands was definitely a theme this year but American Football and Vampire Weekend managed it more convincingly than The National.

1 Like
#137

Thought this was a return to form after the patchiness of the one before, certainly up there with Taco and Slap Bass

#138

think Lisa Hannigan would have been distinctive enough to carry the album on her own, but i can’t actually remember what songs she’s on

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#139

They can be a shout for this thread. Massive step down from modern vampires

4 Likes
#140

Too bloated and overlong

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#141

Matron!

4 Likes
#142

i only made it through about 3 songs on the VW album. sounded proper shite imo, though my friend keeps telling me it’s brilliant

#143

Your friend is wrong. Really worked to get into it cause I bought live tickets before it came out but it was just a bit of a stinker

1 Like
#144

I watched their Glasto set on iPlayer and it felt a bit Dave Matthews Band

#145

I liked I am the Ambulance but I actually though Nuance the musical was very good probably my second favorite, liked how it had a uniqness to it. I thought the addition of the strings really added something to the songs.