The Hotelier - Goodness (May 27, 2016) Album • Page 121

Delayed past the 27th? By how long?

 

Post a pic pls

 

don't think they said, they just aren't ready. rushing black out for stores but colored is delayed
this shouldn't be unexpected

 

After reading the description of Goodness as a Taoist Love record I decided to do a bit of research on Taoism (has anyone else done this yet? I'm sure you have!) and while I've only just started reading around it I think it gives at least some insight into some of the things which may have inspired the writing of this record.
Like I say I've only started reading about it but one tid-bit I stumbled across was in regards to how in End of Reel we hear a reference to 'the block uncarved'. The Taoist Concept of 'Pu' can be translated as "the uncarved block" and often interpreted as original nature or our simplest versions prior to the imprint of experience/culture which shapes our being.
I'm not saying it gives particular insight into specific messages the band wanted to share on this record but I've really enjoyed reading about Taoist beliefs and certainly see how they have influenced the writing of it.

 

On the subject of Taoism, the Tao of Pooh (yes, as in Winnie the Pooh, and yes a pun on the concept of "Pu") and the Te of Piglet are both fun and interesting reads for an easy intro to Taoism.

 

Taoism is another belief sect I've added to my list to delve further into, along with anarchism and deconstructive philosophy. Very interesting stuff.

 

ok, here are my thoughts so far:

- a more focused more streamlined effort (I like when bands do this; when I was younger I wanted bands to always go weirder, now, sometimes I enjoy when it goes the other way around, as in this case) - Home was about not finding yr place in the world and being pissed off and confused about it, Goodness is about compassion and accepting that no one has a place - compassion is one of the main traits I gravitate towards to in art so this really resonates with me

- Christian is not a good singer, but is a great vocalist, and transmits a lot of passion - his lyrics have obviously become less direct, and while some people might think the album suffers from it, I enjoy the contrast with the more focused song writing

- as I said before, drumming is sick - very simple and to the point, but with enough attention to detail to keep things interesting and the songs energetic (maybe all instrumentation here, really)

- absolute highlight so far: settle the scar: how he sings "reflected on the lake", the vocal harmonies, "I should've asked if you could stay" and when the arpeggio (or whatever) from the intro returns at the end- all of that makes me dizzy

dunno... maybe I'll end up considering this one a favorite over Home

 

I don't even think the vocals are that low. I don't really get any of the criticisms on the production / mix. The mix is pretty interesting, but I feel like it can only really be appreciated with headphones.

Side note, I'm pretty sure I like Goodness more than Home and it's pretty much the only thing I want to listen to at this point .

 

I like when vocals are a little low in the mix (e.g. Low Level Owl) - some of the vocal harmonies are a bit low, that's cool

 

I think bar Piano Player the vocals are really clear. Don't get the whole production issues too, it all seems great to me!

 

Isn't this like every album ever? Haha

 

not soft delicate ones.

 

Yeah like SpyKi said not every album, haha. Like, I can't imagine blasting Carrie and Lowell through my speakers.

 

Update: my mom likes this

 

I disagree with that completely. Jason Isbell's Southeastern always sounds better played loud on my record player than played quietly through my laptop speakers. A ton of my favorite albums are "soft delicate" ones and I think you always lose details and emotion on lower volume.

Can't imagine appreciating it at half volume either.

 

That's like 99 percent of the records out there lol

 

I feel like having a really intimate acoustic album blaring loudly really loses a lot of the emotion and beauty of it for me. My favourite way to listen to Joshua Radin's first album is quietly at night, haha. I don't mean so quiet that it's hard to hear or anything but far from full volume.

 

Not sure I'll come back to this much honestly. It just doesn't scratch any itch for me that another band hasn't already done better.

 

Clearly I'm the oddball here. Some of my favorite records are ones that I prefer to listen to quietly, laying in bed, at night. Carrie and Lowell, Daughter's records, Sprained Ankle, etc. Not so quietly that I can't hear them clearly, but at a relatively soft volume. This record, for obvious reasons, is not one of them. That's all I'm saying.

 

I absolutely hate listening to music when the volume is too quiet.

 

Yeah I mean, I dont blast For Emma, Forever Ago or Sprained Ankle, or even 808s and Heartbreak. Those are records I listen to in a very calm setting, lower volume and more relaxed.

 

well yea, those records are great for that! haha it depends on the genre.

 

Exactly my point. The only reason I mentioned listening volume in regards to Goodness is because last night I put it on at a quieter volume, compared to a louder volume today. I enjoyed it significantly more played loudly with the sun out than I did quietly in the dark. Some records work for me no matter what time of day or volume or whatever (Home being one of them), but I think this is definitely an album that works better on bright days at higher volumes.

 

You can say that about 99% of all music, haha. Do you only listen to things that are doing things no band has ever done better?

 

Yeah, absolutely. I have the same thing with seasons. This record will probably be a summertime favorite, whereas Home works better for me in the fall/winter (not that I don't enjoy it in the summer, it's just like a minor preference thing)