New Album in 2012 - "Curve" April 3rd

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/6/2011, 2:15 pm

i would just like to say that the live version "felt a bit slow" so not too sure what everyone is talking about

also if you think that solo is good wait till you hear "this is it" muahahhaha that shit will melt the skin right off your crazy monkey faces

HOOOHAAAA!

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/6/2011, 2:18 pm

oh and I heard the basically finihsed version of "window seat" ont he bus before soundcheck

Sure its different in terms of what OLP has done - but thats the whole point of this new record - DIFFERENT is the theme here - and as you saw in some of those interview clips - the guys are all about making a record they want to listen to - and window seat is one of those songs and everyone is really hyped on it.

Oh and just to add, you guys heard a version of it live, in a sound check literally 12 hours after it was tracked....so um yeah - prob not the best perspective to have on that one

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/6/2011, 2:23 pm

Actually digging Window Seat.. Kind of a Radiohead or Pedestrian vibe. The acoustic guitar kind of has a Spanish feel to it.

By the way, OLP responded to one of my formspring questions, although I didn't really get an answer lol.

Q: I like what I'm hearing from the album so far, but I notice they are softer songs besides The Wolf. A problem with Burn Burn was the lack of energy, so can we expect a few more rock songs this time around?

A: The energy on the new record is real! Sophisticated but raw.
As far as lyrical content goes this record is more cryptic. Less obvious. Leave it open for interpretation. "Wolf" is absolutely political!

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/6/2011, 2:27 pm

i think what he is saying is that soft or hard - the energy is there and what goes into this record should not be looked at as HARD/SOFT or FAST/SLOW - its more about capturing the moments and the energy that went into creating them

thus "the energry is REAL"

sittiing in on those session i can totally verify that fact

i gotta say im stoked to see the guys answering those questions, i know its important to you guys and its nice to see that direct interaction happening finally.

Heavy Alibi · Post by **Heavy Alibi** » 7/6/2011, 2:42 pm

todddowney wrote:The studio (scratch) version does seem a bit slow. Hurts the energy a bit. Not so much during the verse as in the chorus. The way Raine sang the last chorus after the solo in Niagra was so full of passion. Vary it up a bit, leave it raw.

But the "studio" version that was linked here earlier is a very, VERY early version. Listen to the verse immediately prior to the chorus, and the chorus itself.... it's nothing like it is now. I'm sure the final studio version will be nothing like that one, which was way back at the end of May.

Flynner · Post by **Flynner** » 7/6/2011, 2:44 pm

I cant believe people dont like window seat, i love it, had it in my head all day.

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/6/2011, 2:57 pm

Trustworthy wrote:i think what he is saying is that soft or hard - the energy is there and what goes into this record should not be looked at as HARD/SOFT or FAST/SLOW - its more about capturing the moments and the energy that went into creating them

thus "the energry is REAL"

sittiing in on those session i can totally verify that fact

i gotta say im stoked to see the guys answering those questions, i know its important to you guys and its nice to see that direct interaction happening finally.

Definitely. It was rough being in the dark up until .net relaunched.

todddowney · Post by **todddowney** » 7/6/2011, 3:22 pm

*edit

neoncrossing · Post by **neoncrossing** » 7/6/2011, 3:35 pm

The Juno version of Not Afraid is light years above any other version...Maybe there was a ton of energy because they were supposed to play innocent (anyone else notice that they have never performed at the juno's since, and may not have even been nominated since?)

As for Window Seat....not sure if i can handle that same kick drum at the same pace the entire song...the guitar work sounds awesome, but the song never goes anywhere or builds into anything....just kinda keeps going...makes it boring

The Wolf....I love that song....great live energ...cant wait for the studio version

Driven · Post by **Driven** » 7/6/2011, 3:37 pm

The soundcheck of Window Seat absolutely blows, IMO.

OLP was at its best when it was chaotic, mainly due to Raine's vocals and Duncan's bass. Turner's guitar complimented that.

While I obviously want them to move on, they've yet to consistently prove to me that they can get any other sound to work for them.

Raine's vocals are fine the way they are, but his melodies are pretty generic. I don't know if I trust him in 2011 to be able to creatively use his voice.

And the band now centers around Steve's guitar work, which is very good, but also not very creative.

For every gem they put out like Angels Losing Sleep, they put out 5 generic and uncreative songs.

After the last three albums, it's hard to believe in a band that has been unsuccessful more than it has been successful in the last decade, when it comes to writing original music.

I like The Wolf A LOT, but it's still a generic guitar riff with Raine's same vocals. At least the structure of the song has changed. But is that enough to convince me that the 10+ other songs on this album are going to be strong?

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/6/2011, 4:10 pm

lol @ not afriad - great observation about not being back to that show for sometime

interesting huh? I am sure Jesse Ventura could do a show on that

That version you heard of not afriad was the raw initial demo version basically - that tune got reworked like mad and lost some of it's magic in the process - then went on to be a promo song for a beer co etc - I think that really cvrushed the vibe of that whole track and is deff something that i think the guys are very conscious not to do again

Anyways, this new record is all about capturing that energy of the demos and seeing them through (from what i have seen and heard) they do try all they angles and try different melodies/riffs ideas etc -(sometimes for days and days lol) i mean hell i think have heard at least 8 choruses for the wolf you know? But only one stuck out so much and gave the guys goosebumps - and that seems to be the one they are sticking with. That line of thinking seems to be the basis for this entire recording process, making songs they dig and are really truly excited about and proud of - which from a fans perspective is great. (and yes im still a big OLP fan too)

As for burn burn and vocals, you have to remember the guys were on their own for that one - pretty much isolated - and in a totally different place/mindset coming into that after healthy/record company woes/families etc etc - i think burn burn just needed to be done - there are some really great tracks off of it for sure - monkey brians is deff one of my fav olp songs to date - but i think more so it proved to the guys that they could do it alone and their vision and talents can stand up to anyone elses when it comes to anything OLP - i think they achieved that - they made a totally indie record by themselves and had a great tour, made new fans, and ended up with some timeless olp songs....songs that they will prob always play live.

The end result...To me they seems to be in a much better place now as a result of making that record and i think are more comfortable being OLP than ever before - knowing them personally and being a fan since day one i can tell ya i have never seen them so excited and inspired and just having some fun and being confident in who they are, who OLP is and in their individual talents - it's really cool to see and to be honest I am happy for them (awe shucks) - its been one hell of a journey and I honestly think it's only gonna get better

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/6/2011, 4:14 pm

Driven....

<i>After the last three albums, it's hard to believe in a band that has been unsuccessful more than it has been successful in the last decade, when it comes to writing original music. </i>

i don't get that? how do you gauge success and originality? They write OLP songs, no one else does that - so by default wouldn't they be original? Honestly. and maybe i am biased, but OLP sounds like OLP to me

i have never really heard any other band that sounds like them, nor i have i ever heard anything by them that sounds like anyone else...so that's why i just don't get your comment.

I mean one could argue this shit till the cows come home, but then again I could make an "original" car that has 7 wheels, shoots bottle rockets out of the tail pipe that you steer with your nutsack, but it would still be a car right?

Flynner · Post by **Flynner** » 7/6/2011, 4:55 pm

Thanks for the update and input trusty. Sounds like all is well in olp land and its good to hear. Cant waitto hear some new tunes, any idea when some clips of finished songs will be popping up on dot net. . . Or dot com i should say now lol

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/6/2011, 6:31 pm

Trustworthy wrote:Driven....

<i>After the last three albums, it's hard to believe in a band that has been unsuccessful more than it has been successful in the last decade, when it comes to writing original music. </i>

i don't get that? how do you gauge success and originality? They write OLP songs, no one else does that - so by default wouldn't they be original? Honestly. and maybe i am biased, but OLP sounds like OLP to me i have never really heard any other band that sounds like them, nor i have i ever heard anything by them that sounds like anyone else...so that's why i just don't get your comment.

I mean one could argue this shit till the cows come home, but then again I could make an "original" car that has 7 wheels, shoots bottle rockets out of the tail pipe that you steer with your nutsack, but it would still be a car right?

He's not saying about OLP not writing "OLP songs," whatever that is... He's saying that the past three albums have had their fair share of bland tracks. That while there have been gems that stand out on these albums, the bulk of the songs are pretty forgettable and don't really have qualities that "wow" listeners. And while I'm a bigger fan of Healthy than most people here (although it definitely isn't as good as the first four, and didn't reach its potential) and Gravity is a fun (albeit guilty pleasure) listen, I agree.

Heavy Alibi · Post by **Heavy Alibi** » 7/6/2011, 10:11 pm

I'm really quite digging "The Wolf". As for "Window Seat", I like a lot about it, but Raine's vocals could be more invested.

senseofurgency · Post by **senseofurgency** » 7/7/2011, 12:00 am

i really think some of you guys have got to stop over analysing everything OLP do. i honestly believe if any song from the first 4 was to be released right now there would be a couple of you picking faults with it. not to say, as fans, we should be blind but i get the feeling that some of you don't even enjoy music. for example; 'wolf' is awesome, which most people seem to agree with, but then instead of accepting this it then becomes.. "its still too generic" "get your finger out, raine!" etc. just enjoy the awesome song! every song ever made could be better, no song ever made has been perfect. sorry for the mini rant but i've been lurking for a while and feel some of you should just enjoy the music rather than picking every note to pieces.

anyhow, i really like what i'm hearing thus far:). don't really hear window seat being a 'raine' song rather than 'olp' song to be honest, my first impression was radiohead-esque+ is different to anything i've heard the guys do.. i think it'll be alot more atomspheric in studio. so yeah, i'm hopeful that this'll be another olp album i can enjoy:).

p.s. make sure the guys get their asses to the uk this time, trusty!

carleiu · Post by **carleiu** » 7/7/2011, 1:14 am

I don't post here often, but have been lurking for many years, and have been an OLP fan since the beginning, but I think I have an understanding of the criticism of the more recent albums. My take on it is that the band has become more simplistic over the years with it's approach to writing and producing. Granted, they obviously work their asses off in everything they do, so when I say "simplistic," I mean that they come across as less inspired than they did for the first four albums, in addition to taking fewer risks with their writing.

Basically, they had a niche that was theirs and only theirs until Gravity, and the changes in the band and production have contributed to a much different, and some would say more mainstream, sound. Personally, I think the Bob Rock experiment took a great, innovative band and turned them into a straightforward, and merely "good" band. To tell someone like Raine to simplify his lyrics and change his singing style, essentially removing falsetto from the mix had the most negative impact in my opinion. OLP had something that worked for them--it was their identity, and then they tried to be something that didn't come natural to them. Great bands often change their sound as time goes on, but these bands rarely lose their most innovative characteristics with the changes in sound. Think of Wilco, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and other similar great bands as good examples of this. Every album from each of these groups is entirely different from their other albums, but they are able to keep their signatures intact. Imagine Jeff Tweedy without the raspy voice and experimental writing, Thom Yorke without the cryptic singing and slow progression, or the Lips without a psychedelic element. To me, Raine trying to sing like a typical singer was the biggest mistake the band has ever made, even moreso than losing the atmospheric quality of the music and deep, difficult to interpret lyrics. HIPT and Burn, Burn especially were albums in which OLP just didn't go with their strengths and identity as a band. I'm hoping they get this back with the new album, but I also worry that maybe they've just been away from it too long to ever regain that spark. Don't get me wrong--I still love OLP and will buy every new album they put out, but I'll always hope for a reemergence of that earlier, album-oriented, erratic, atmospheric, innovative approach that OLP had prior to Gravity.

Just my .02--attack away!

Heavy Alibi · Post by **Heavy Alibi** » 7/7/2011, 9:52 pm

senseofurgency,

A lot of what you say is true, and I fully admit that I am often guilty of over-analyzing and "complaining" about OLP music. It's just that The CM is the only place where any of us are able to come on and flesh our thoughts out about OLP fan-to-fan. Basically, I just say what I'm thinking about the music at the moment (good or bad), and sometimes I regret it or go overboard. Would people like me have been critical of their old stuff when it was released? Absolutely... but that's just because we are all huge fans and love talking about OLP... sometimes too much.

And besides, if the band happens to read some of this stuff and agree with some of it, it might influence them to make a few changes to improve some of their songs. It's like a collaborative process between OLP and the fans.

And all of this discussion brings a great quote to mind... talking is just masturbating without the mess.

senseofurgency · Post by **senseofurgency** » 7/7/2011, 11:46 pm

yeah, i understand that most of the negativity stems from creative criticism. criticism is a given, it just irritates me that theres a lack of positivity around these parts. it seems that some of you are comparing the new stuff to songs of the turner/lanni years. and since its a different band now, the more you compare.. the more it will just disappoint you. i'm lucky that i enjoyed the older stuff for what it was and i also enjoy the newer stuff for what it is. i would've hated it if olp turned into a self parody, much like the newer radiohead stuff.

i don't want to sound like a blind fan or whatever, i have an unusual hatred for half of clumsy for example. also, i totally disagree with the 'steve not being very creative' comment i read in this thread. he has maybe been restricted due to the type of music the guys have been making since he joined the band but i think he has proved, on the occasions he has been able to let loose, that he is a guitarist of supreme talent and creativity.

but anyhow, i do think the band is sounding its most creative/inspired in years at the minute, which is why i'm maybe a bit surprised by the lack of positive comments. hopefully once the final recordings are heard this'll be a much more upbeat place:).

Maine Raida · Post by **Maine Raida** » 7/8/2011, 3:53 pm

After hearing all of the new tracks available in various forms online, I really do believe that this album has the potential to shape up to be better than anything released in the 2000s (personal opinion) depending on how the band approaches tracking and mixing. I always thought the key to having a better album was to have an outside eye watching over the production elements. With self-production on Burn Burn I feel like some good pressure was taken away, especially for Raine, vocally. I really appreciate what Trusty is saying about that album having to be made. I totally understand that. I don't dislike that record, but it isn't my favorite. It reminds me of Metallica's story with St. Anger. Once they got that difficult record out of the way, they went on to a much better one.

So, anyhow, everything I'm hearing from the band these days sounds great. If This is It?, Wolf, and Window Seat sound top notch, even if the band makes some significant changes, there are still good foundations for all of those songs. Warnings can definitely see some improvement, but that is the entire point of creating a demo.

ClumsyMonkey.net

ClumsyMonkey.net

New Album in 2012 - "Curve" April 3rd