The Wonder Years - Sister Cities (April 6, 2018) Album • Page 160

Appreciate that this vinyl is actually shipping on time. That is increasingly uncommon these days.

 

Yeah I don't know, I don't really view it as a crutch when he does it way more naturally than some other bands that attempt the same thing. He seems to always know the best place to bring it in for maximum effect. Instead of thinking "ugh he's talking about [x different type of bird] again" I'm thinking "Oh there's the bird motif again but this time instead of a pigeon it's a blackbird/cardinal/sea bird/whatever, I wonder why he chose that particular bird in this song." It's an invitation to discussion and analysis more than beating a dead horse. And the lessened reliance on those kinds of things here proves he didn't need to keep doing it, it was a conscious decision with the messages he was trying to get out. Even though, again, this record is full of callbacks that are just more subtle than the past ones.

 

Mine still hasn't shipped, so I probably won't get it until some time next week.

 

also, spicy tour recommendation, if any TWY tour bookers are listening to me please do this one, THIS ISN'T REAL BUT IT SHOULD BE (or at least a hometown show)

TWY/TWIABP/kississippi leggo it makes sense for all bands

 

We’re talking about different things here lol. This record has an ocean motif, Dan hasn’t ditched the idea of writing around a theme. I’m talking about the codas. They ditched bringing back the melody and lyrics from one song into other as a means of creating some type of resonance, like how Cigarettes & Saints has the Cardinals bridge in the outro, Funeral has the TGG medley at the end, the outro of Bar Bands is the first verse of My Last Semester, etc. They did that so many times across their last 4 records that I’m glad they opted to not do that here. That’s all I’m saying.

 

Somehow doubt TWIABP would do it but that would be a great lineup.

 

TWIABP loves kissi, i think it'd make sense with them going out with people that they might have some respect to, to audiences that would like their music and would help them push towards a new crowd.

 

Oh i just meant the souncloud link up there. I might go snag the cd from target friday.

 

Well, I don't think we necessarily are talking about different things because you were originally talking about "lyrical callbacks and codas."

In fact this post seemed, at least to me, to be about the lyrics. But ok, my mistake I guess.

 

man, flowers where your face should be is quite a love song.

 

I used the word “codas” in that post and referenced, specifically, the instances in which they’ve recalled parts of songs in other songs, but whatever, thanks for telling me what my post is about I guess

 

Well, you referenced specific lyrics and then also the ending of Funeral. You didn't mention any of the other stuff you mentioned in the subsequent post re-framing the discussion to be solely about codas. Hence my confusion. No need to get defensive, I just clearly misunderstood your intent at saying "lyrical callbacks" and then referencing "I'm not sad anymore" and "We're no saviors." Of course if the discussion is specifically about codas recalling musical themes from earlier in the record, you're correct in saying this album does not have that specific thing, no.

 

we look like lightning is wowwwy

 

I've thought about Funeral a lot and while yes, I think it would work very well as its own song, would it have the same effect without the buildup the medley creates? I don't think so. There would need to be a buildup of some sort to have the final verse have that impact of release.
Plus, the reprise of "I'm sick of seeing ghosts" actually makes the medley make sense thematically, I think. A huge part of TGG is about letting go of the past and addressing recurring issues. The medley isn't gratuitous, it's indulgent but it makes sense to reprise all those lines so that Dan can reject all the anxieties they talk about in the final verse.
But yeah agreed sometimes I don't want to listen to the 7 minutes to get the gratification of those final few lines. We need I Just Want To Sell Out My Funeral (Radio Edit) tbh

 

This is still arguably my favorite moment in all of their records just from the lyrics, the music, the sense of catharsis after the weight of the rest of the record, it's just so satisfying. It's such a perfect mission statement for the album too.

 

The line “everywhere at once again” is used in some fashion on a few songs.

The sun/moon also play a part, as well as the ocean ofc

 

The Ghosts of Right Now has the same Bayside type feel to it that Sister Cities (the song) does. Also I feel like Orange Grove is a better executed version of Palm Reader.

 

I don't like TGG and can count on one hand how many times I've listened to it and I love Funeral. It would be a far better song for me without the medley.

 

Funeral is one of my favorite TWY songs but actually the first two minutes are my favorite part lol

 

I love the back half of TGG (Except Madelyn, sorry) and especially love the medley in Funeral.

 

I love the TGG medley but I’m glad they didn’t do anything like that here. It’s a trick that worked really well on that album but I’m glad they’ve grown past that era.

 

The medley is super cliche imo

 

I actually don’t think the medley works super well on funeral tbh. Feels kinda forced to me. The ending of that song was the best moment of their discography until this album tho probably

 

Yeah, see, I honestly enjoy this much more than the screamed part. I do think this song is my favorite on the album though.

 

I remember TGG leaking (or maybe my pre-order came later than everyone else's) and seeing everyone in the album thread absolutely losing their shit over Funeral. Like using spoiler tags when talking about the medley and just going crazy for it. Always felt a little let down by it. There's a couple of nice touches on it, but always felt like it just goes on for a little bit too long. The "Two blackbirds on a highway sign" bit in in fucking rules though.