The Dangerous Summer - Mother Nature (June 14, 2019) Album • Page 59

It's seemed to me in the past that everything I enjoy by these guys (except for bits of RFTS) succeeds in spite of the production. Something about the distortion, drum tones, and mix gets in the way, even with songs that are hugely important to me like "Miscommunication." It feels so good to hear a TDS album where everything is audible and clear, even when it gets heavy and dense. This feels like a big "next step" not just in songwriting but also in tonal choices, and it sounds like you played a key role in that, so thank you!

 

I finally synced my phone with my itunes and I'm almost embarrassed to see the play counts for this. But not really because the album friggin rules. My most played have been Starting Over, Mother Nature, Blind Ambition and Way Down.

The only song that's never really clicked with me is Violent Red. But it seems a lot of people love that one.

 

I totally get that. One of the previous knocks from certain critics is that a lot of their songs sound alike in a way. And I actually like when bands have this to a degree. Think dookie by green day. Or even Story so far... I would put their first 3 albums on random in the gym and every song for the most part had same tone and very similar but it keeps you in the same mode and feeling. On this album, Sam and the boys completely broke the mold. Each song has it's own story and showed the most interesting reveal, no matter how far they experiment, it still sounds like The Dangerous summer.

 

I forget how good self titled is. I do think the middle drags it WAY down (heh) Ghosts, Luna, and Wild Again and snoozers for the most part, but the rest is all awesome.

 

Ghosts and Luna are the only songs I come back to on this! (along with Color)

 

I really don’t like ghosts, but always forget that by the time the chorus comes on and I start to sing along.

 

gave Golden Record a spin today and man this just sounds so much more full. It's like they purposely mixed AJ's voice in very low but told him to yell louder to compensate. Honesty is roughhh

 

I've been a fan of this band for almost ten years now (I showed up to the Reach for the Sun party a little late), and I absolutely adore those first two records, especially War Paint. Even still, none of the other four records connect with me quite in the way this does. There are individual songs that connect with me as strongly (Never Feel Alone, No One's Gonna Need You More, Waves, Catholic Girls, etc.) but none of the records work quite as well as a cohesive unit for me as this one does.

It took on some new meaning this weekend after a particularly trying conversation that I didn't expect to have with someone I was trying to very desperately to put in my past. In short, I feel a lot like AJ does on a lot of this record (minus the drug use, haha.) It's coming at a pretty significant time in my life and a lot of what he's writing about are things I needed to hear, and feel, and relate to. "Consequence of Living" is punching me so hard in the gut today that it hurts.

Everything takes such a massive step forward on this record - from the songwriting, to the lyricism, to the production. It's really flooring.

I finally got a chance to listen to the vinyl yesterday and it sounds fantastic, too. And that ocean mix is gorgeous.

 

Also shout out to house of blues. Y’all are tall as hell and I can’t wait to actually see what’s going on from the balcony unlike at the Metro lol.

 

Anyone who's been to the tour remember what time they went on? My show on Friday the doors are at 7:30....i'm not gonna be able to get there until 9:30 so I'm hoping they dont go on any earlier.

 

Infinite is the best song in my opinion

 

Just got my ticket for Wednesday’s show! Did NOT know Valleyheart was opening up. That’s sweeeeeeet.

 

Ghosts would be so good if he didn’t sing the first line so weird

 

its summer AGAEEEAAAIIINNNN

 

unrelated but follow up vid (I somehow resisted setting this to any track from MN)

 

Some callbacks in the title track?
I really thought I was home vs. I really think I’m home now, I really think that from reach for the sun

Through the rain of the morning, through the cracks in the sky vs. Through the rain in the morning I see May from siren

 

I always love the "how I talk to Gooooooooood" delivery.

 

I love everything but the first line haha

 

Ghosts is my fave track from that record because I live for “is how I speak to yeeeeewwuhhh” delivery haha.

 

New record absolutely bangs, hands down their best full length from start to finish. Second half of the title track is so, so good.

Also, all this self-titled talk... I can't be the only one who thinks When I Get Home slaps?

 

I'm happy to say that I don't connect with this material like I did when RFTS came out and I was a younger/lost soul, but there's still a few moments like in Mother Nature and Consequence of Living that seem less like diary entries and more abstract writing that I really connect with, likely because it's not so literal and allows me to interpret on my own terms. Musically, it's pretty wonderful though and there are 4-5 tracks that are excellent and the rest are all still good. Nice Top 10 AOTY nominee for sure.

On a personal note, last time I followed this band AJ had just got married. I'm assuming that that relationship dissolved? Also - who is Luna? I read above there's a song called Luna and the name is also part of the voicemail.

 

Yeah they got divorced in the last few years, which sucks.
Luna is his daughter and on social media it is nice seeing him post about her because you can tell he is really, really excited and proud to be a Father.
The voicemail is from a friend in CA where he stayed with just calling to check up on him.

Hope this helps!

 

I feel weird talking about his personal life to such a degree, but I was curious about the same thing, so I stalked his instagram a little, and it at least seems like him and his ex (Luna's mom) get along okay? It also seems like he's in a relationship again, so I hope things are looking up.

 

oh hey, I wrote this! thanks for the share :D

 

This might sound strange, but I kinda miss that about the old days of this genre. I always felt a palpable connection to the artists, knowing what they were going through in their social/romantic/family lives and how it influenced the music. It also makes the lyrical dive that much more interesting.

I’ve been in a long distance relationship for a few years now, and a lot of the lyrics on this and past albums hit me in such a personal way, like feelings I couldn’t formulate into words. It’s inspiring, particularly as AJ seems to always move through life’s hurdles with incredible introspection and optimism.


I’m a TDS fanatic, so this is biased, but I agree with a lot of the people here that this is their best album. I’m blown away by the production value for the first time on one of their albums. I thought I’d be saddened by the reduced guitar riffage with the synth taking a more prominent role, but Matt makes every note count and that subtlety and control is impressive as hell. Same with Ben’s drum work. You can tell this was a different writing experience, but it still maintains those signature flairs.

Early favorites besides the singles are Blind Ambition and Mother Nature. I’m so stoked to catch them at Metro Gallery on Saturday.