Cold Harbour? (lights Of Endangered Species Megathread!)

[Gomo]

Maple Music better ship this thing quick cause reading all these comments is getting me very excited...

[jrw]

Maybe it's my changing interests in music but I don't think there is too much brass overall on this record. I only really see Zero Orchestra as being a stretch. Then again, this is based on the demos as I have not heard the finished album yet so maybe I will change my opinion when I hear the CD. I must say, I am really surprised to see you mention Shallow's Low almost being ruined by the orchestration and it sounding lame. I cannot imagine how you would feel that based on the demo anyway as it sounds so spectacular and beautiful to me. Not lame in the slightest. So I really hope the beauty of the demo is still intact on the final version. To each their own though. I agree there's such a thing as putting too much of something and it sounding out of place or overblown but I think at least most of this fits.

Ah, well that would explain it then. I haven't heard the demos, so I can only go by the finished product. Unfortunately I'm not sure how much the finished versions deviate from the demos. "Shallow's Low" is a great song but the brass crescendo just ruins it for me. Does anybody know if the brass was live or was it taken from garageband? Maybe it's because I'm cognizant of Matt's usage of garageband on the previous two records that everything sounds like it came from a jam pack now; even the drums, although I'm quite sure that they were live drums.

[DeadArtist]

I believe that everything was recorded live for this record (by looking at the credits from the songs that were posted on soundcloud). I can't confirm this though.

[Manchalivin]

Correct, everything is live on this album.

 

Not that it couldn't sound great if it was simulated but I don't think I'd be nearly as excited about this record if the real instruments weren't used.

[matrix]

The album is available for download on the US iTunes as we speak. There are two versions of the album that come up when you search Matthew Good, however I can not find any difference in the two.

[uglyredhonda]

The album is available for download on the US iTunes as we speak. There are two versions of the album that come up when you search Matthew Good, however I can not find any difference in the two.

Yeah, they look identical. More noteworthy: both include "Darlin'". The Canadian iTunes version does not.

[WhatamNot]

lyrics for darling, please correct any mistakes.

 

Darling what have you done?

And where you come from

all your folks all silent and numb

all your friends all throwing up

 

Darling strangers wiping there tears

And you got them wishing you near

oh breathless and shot so clear

oh darling can you see them from here?

 

 

Darling can you see a light?

Is it burned out shining bright?

Oh kingdom just a ruined site?

And darling did you get it right?

Darling did you get it right?

[Guest Bimbly]

This is easily his best release since Avalanche, and with a few listens might rival it. Matt wasn't fucking around when he said this is the best thing he's ever done. The vocals are SPOT ON on this release and the increased piano is fantastic.

 

This is easily better than HM or Vancouver to me.

 

Avalanche gets a lot of love around these parts. What's the major draw? Audio and Avalanche sound like his least focused efforts to me. Maybe Avalanche has higher highs, but I find it largely inconsistent.

 

GOOD:

Weapon

Avalanche

Double Life

Near Fantastica

While We Were Hunting Rabbits

[Manchalivin]

I dunno about focused, sounds about as focused as his other albums to me. I think it has a good number of standouts and I really enjoy almost all the songs that aren't standouts. Some of his most memorable, powerful songs.

 

Standouts:

 

Weapon

In A World Called Catastrophe

While We Were Hunting Rabbits

Avalanche

House of Smoke and Mirrors

Bright End of Nowhere

Double Life

Lullaby For The New World Order

Near Fantastica

 

That's most of the album.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Manchalivin

[Crusader]

Album is out today!

[Manchalivin]

Why the crap do the Americans get Darlin' and we don't?

[Gomo]

Well I won't get it. I'm not paying for the album twice.

 

There there.

[Audio of Being]

My streak of going into Canada to get the new album on the day of release is broken.

 

Mainly because I am broke.

[instro2]

Avalanche gets a lot of love around these parts. What's the major draw? Audio and Avalanche sound like his least focused efforts to me. Maybe Avalanche has higher highs, but I find it largely inconsistent.

 

GOOD:

Weapon

Avalanche

Double Life

Near Fantastica

While We Were Hunting Rabbits

 

Avalanche is one of those albums I can keep in my car (come to think of it, I have the album in my car right now) and never get tired of it. You say least focused effort, I think the exact opposite. Its the perfect blend of musical tastes, without getting mediocre. In my opinion it cannot be beat and will remain his top album in my mind, and one of my favourites in general.

 

To be perfectly honest, I find his last album incomplete. It doesn't speak to me the way his other albums did. I get the same feeling out of this album as I did hospital music. Its lacking the 'adventure' and feels like a mix of songs thrown together. I'm actually happy others are loving it, and I'll still support MG however I can.

[uglyredhonda]

Why the crap do the Americans get Darlin' and we don't?

Apparently, Cobraside was able to get it as a separate track. (It looks like all of the international releases have it.)

 

Well I won't get it. I'm not paying for the album twice.

You wouldn't have to - it's available as an individual track for 99 cents.

Edited May 31, 2011 by uglyredhonda

[Who]

Tried to download it but you need an american credit card or paypal account. This is crap!

[Crusader]

They'll hopefully have this sorted out eventually but I hope it's not one of those "exclusive" things record companies like to do sometimes...

[Who]

Yeah me too. It's ridiculous! I wanted the actual CD because I'm one of those types of people who still likes to buy physical records. So I wasn't going to preorder.

[Crusader]

Anyone have scans of the liner notes?

[Gomo]

Apparently, Cobraside was able to get it as a separate track. (It looks like all of the international releases have it.)

 

 

You wouldn't have to - it's available as an individual track for 99 cents.

 

 

Hooray!

[october]

Just got back from HMV downtown. Wasn't too far back in the line. Got Matt to sign a copy of the new album, talked about Explosions in The Sky and the new tour in a few months. Perfect gentleman, love him to death. Great guy, happy for him.

[Manchalivin]

Sweet signature.

 

Does anyone know what a claratron is? It's in the liner notes on the new cd and I can't find anything about it on the internet.

Edited June 1, 2011 by Manchalivin

[jrw]

Sweet signature.

 

Does anyone know what a claratron is? It's in the liner notes on the new cd and I can't find anything about it on the internet.

A claro is a brass instrument. That's all I got.

[Crusader]

It might be a clarion according to google.

[Manchalivin]

You could be right. Whatever it is, Matthew Good plays it on the album on three songs.

 

 

I obviously need to give this album more listens as I've only listened once full through so far but the best thing I can think to say is WOW. Most of the songs easily surpass the demos. This album can't be explained really, especially not after one listen. There is SO much going on, so many layers and subtlety. Yet I don't find it overpowering and quite often it's pretty simple and quiet. I love the intensity/passion/edge in Matt's vocals in quite a few parts. Some of it reminds me of a fire in Matt's voice I miss from MGB days.

 

I loved the demo of Zero Orchestra, but the final version still blew me away. It is spectacular. They just went NUTS on that one and it could seem a stretch or out of place, but oddly I think it fits nicely. It being in the middle of the album with Mildred is a nice boost of energy, a kick for the album. I think there's a good balance on the record. It's really hard to pick standouts because I'd have to name pretty much every song. I'm surprised I haven't seen more love for the title track or some people that were underwhelmed. I think it's that much better than the demo and is a good closer.

 

This is a special album. I'm really happy for Matthew Good that he could finally produce the album he's wanted to make for years. A great balance of the familiar and the adventurous.

 

Here's some scans:

 

Edited June 1, 2011 by Manchalivin