The Hotelier - Goodness (May 27, 2016) Album • Page 17

I can believe how long I just sat on Home. Album is so good and it only clicked this month.

 

In a way you are lucky. You can play the heck out of it to hold you over for goodness

 

I have been.

 

It was haha. Like I said it was pretty icey at times. It was crazy because it felt like we experienced all 4 seasons on that mountain. The frontside we were just wearing t-shirts, then once we got to the top and started wrapping around to the backside all of a sudden there was a ton of snow and it was way colder out of the sun.

 

I guess what I was wondering if you guys had to use crampons or snowshoes? Ice is no bueno haha.

 

The snow had been walked on enough that you were safe with just shoes. It was pretty packed down.

 

Christian is awesome, and I've had a lot of really good conversations with him in the past, but I really don't think this is the kinda thing either of us have time for or really care to discuss or debate. Like, he had one line in one email that I think it's weird and it kinda bothers me. That's not something I really wanna devote a whole lot of time or energy to, and definitely don't wanna start any sort of "drama" with any band members. I've had enough of that lately.

I disagree with this in a few places, and I'll try and explain the specifics, but on a more general level I disagree because I think this doesn't give enough credit to people being able to make their own individualized choices. A band has the choice for how they promote their album, especially on a label this small, and at the very least can definitely choose the when and where they participate in that promotion cycle. I don't begrudge a band, or label, doing very little promotion or work with music writers. Jesse Lacey hasn't talked on the record with me in like 10 years. I totally respect their decision to engage with press or whatever in whatever way they'd like. But at the same time I think if you choose to be in that promotion cycle dismissing the writers, to me, is harsh. I think even if you're not actively engaged in courting the "music press" that dismissing their work is harsh and often un-or poorly-justified.

I take some issue with the idea of "exploiting curiosity and excitement" — that word "exploit" does not read well to me. Again, I think there's a personal choice. Some people want to read about all the information they can about an album. They want to hear interviews, read early thoughts from writers they trust, and love having that information out there. In a world with so much music I think it's awesome that some fans want to spend their time thinking about music that's on the horizon and it consumes them in the way they want to soak up everything about it. I think it's awesome because I'm that kind of fan. I'm an information junkie. But that's my choice. If someone doesn't want that, if someone wants to just pick up an album on release date and listen to it, that is also their choice. Some of the best moments in my life are the relationships that have come from discussing something that's not out yet. The cycle of anticipation, talking about rumors, thinking about what something could be, or should be, and then finally getting to see or hear the object of anticipation, and debating and talking about it with those same friends (in real life or those I've made on the internet through a shared love). I don't think that's empty hype. I think it's something some people opt into because they want to be surrounded by something they love and that others love as well. That feeling of learning a little bit about something they love "early" is exciting. Reading the track listing for Thrice's new album excited me. It made my heart race. It made me think about the times I've had with the band and wonder about what this album will bring to me. I've heard similar things from people over the years, not only saying they checked out a band because of something I said "early" or how much I talked about a release, but about how those moments in those threads were some of their favorites. I still have people tell me how much they enjoyed when I would give a few Daisy out before the album. And, I think that's something people can choose to be a part of or not. But I don't think it's exploitative — I don't think it's using someone in a selfish way — I think there's mutual benefit.

Is it a bad thing? I'm not convinced it is. I think we are exposed to influences in a variety of ways every single day. New information, new thoughts, new things learned. Unless we are living in a plastic bubble cut off from the world we are having things that could potentially influence us surround us almost 24/7. Even without it being a pundit or words, just walking outside on a fall day and seeing the colors around you influences your mood and mindset. Smells. Colors. Tastes. Memories. Interactions with strangers and friends. All of these things could alter one's mindset about any number of things. I don't think it gives those listening enough credit in their own ability to listen or experience art.

I think bands and fans have personal choices to make about how they want to experience an album. Some fans pour over live tracks before release and want to experience a new song in anyway they can. I, personally, usually choose not to do that. Some want to know cover art, track listing, hear new singles, see new songs live, read reviews, and have discussions before an album comes out. Some don't. I think that's a great and personal decision everyone should be able to make. I think what I end up taking umbrage with is with the idea that because there are other people like me out there, those that want to soak up as much information as possible about bands they love, that I then take shots from people that think it should be another way. I respect the other way completely. I think people should have the choice to know nothing and walk in unaware to any art they'd like. I just don't think it's the only way, or even the "better" way, and I trust that each individual reader, or listener, can decide where they sit on that spectrum. I don't think it's even that specific of a case, I think all music from any band or genre can be extremely personal, and that expectations exist from almost any band's inception. Expectations from the members, their friends, family, and that first few fans. I think that bands, and writers, should trust their fans to be able to manage expectations and their reaction to art in the way that best suits them. And I think, not just as a "writer", but also as someone that really does derive joy from reading about the casting of a movie I wanna see, or the latest Apple rumors and following the podcasts and blogs of those speculating on what could be coming, to the discussions leading up to a massive artist about to release a massive album. That sort of stuff is fun to me. I think it is to others as well. I, again, just me personally, think it's patronizing to tell someone that finds joy and fun in a thing to tune said thing out. That's why that one line just ... I dunno ... it was sandpaper on a chalkboard.

I'll have to give this another listen when I get home / have better headphones. I know there's definitely some "imperfections" in the mixing to my ears, but I'm not certain if they're the same exact ones. I love that you've listened to this enough times already to have picked up on dozens of things I haven't! That's incredible.

 

not to shit on you, it was just funny that when I clicked this thread I only saw your first quote response and was NOT expecting that when I scrolled down

 

It's still holding me over

 

Should have worded that better. I meant more like I don't wanna go back and forth over email and potentially spend a lot of time talking to someone in a band, and potentially upsetting them, over my personal thoughts on like one line in an email. I respect their time and don't think Christian needs to hear from me about one line that's really not a big deal at all just because I read it one way or another. Like, I'm not entitled to that, or an explanation, or even to giving my thoughts because I found "offense," and I don't wanna abuse the fact that I have his email address or we're Facebook friends. I don't think it's something that needs that or the potential drama about it, you know? It's more just a personal thought that I had, and hopefully expanded upon some, here. And it's about a much larger feeling on reviews/being a music blogger/the thoughts bubbling up over the past few years or so from the generalized stuff I've seen from bands toward some writers. I'm just more comfortable with it being that and generalized than it being a thing and specific, which if I send any email it becomes. And personally I don't wanna interject myself into Christian's life in that way. If that makes sense.

 

Yeah, that makes total sense and I gleaned what I could of that from what you wrote - it was just kind of a stark contrast haha. I totally get what you're actually trying to say though.

 

@Jason Tate i like what you said in that post concerning album role outs. I agree with you, I think the hype can be fun and you can have awesome memories attached to any album because of how excited you are for it. Especially when albums personally live up to the hype of the role out... Those are really special listening experiences.

 

@Jason Tate i love what you said about the fan that constantly wants information. That's where I am at right now, I just want interviews and opinions on this record. I read Ian's interview/article with a huge smile on my face. I also was constantly checking the Twitter accounts of you, drew, and Ian just hoping for some information on what this would sound like.

Single greatest prerecord material I ever read was your blog post on copelands ixora. It was a couple of months before it came out and you had me insanely excited for that record. The way you described how that record made you feel was perfect and it just brought my hope for that record to an insane high. I went on to name that record my favorite of 2014 (this was before I heard HLNPIT, which is my all time favorite now). I would love that instead of reviews you just had little pre write ups for records loving forward on how they make you feel and experiences the writers have with them.

 

yeah, I love hearing about albums and trying to imagine what they sound like before finally getting them.

 

Thank you for that. Seriously. I took some shit in the comments for how I wrote that when Keagan posted about it (it was a late night and it was more about the feeling than the music). For some reason that one negative comment stuck with me for like a year so I really do thank you for that, it made my day.

 

Np. I actually remember that comment, it was really strange bc it was on your blog and it wasn't even a review.

 

i love seeing people with advances tease how good albums are. it gets me so excited.

 

Honestly some times I enjoy the hype almost as much as the album, haha.

 

Drew is ecstatic to hear you guys say that

 

@cwhit haha

 

I'm new to posting in this forum - but I just want to say how excited I am for this album. I saw them at Fest and they played "Sun" and holy shit was that awesome. I instantly got hooked and I need to hear the studio version.

 

Yes! I love sun, saw them play it in philly and was blown away. Videoed the entire song and have listened to it probably a dozen times.

 

not 100% into what I've heard so far but I'm still optimistic just by hearing what others are saying about the full album.

 

What have you heard besides piano player?

 

goodness