Hey all. I'm new here and have yet to hear more than "Ocean" from the
new album. I have Napster and have seen the songs, but I refuse to listen to
it until the album comes out. I need to have the experience of waking up
all excited the day it comes out, to hold the disc in my hand, to see the
artwork and all that good stuff. Yes, a DORK I know, but SDRE has been a
major influence ever since Diary first came out. Even if I get it and I
think the album sucks, I would still like to have given my support to the
band, cause it's not like they're raking in the dough aka Metallica.
ANYways, I just got on this list a couple of days ago and I started
seeing all these factions talking about either how the album rocks or it
sucks or it's so-so. I used to be on an old SDRE list (don't know if this
is the same one) when HIFTBSO came out and I remember THAT album throwing
people for a big ol loop cause it was so different from LP2. I'll admit I
thought the boys had just gotten "soft" when I first flipped through the
tracks. That didn't last long, though, cause soon I fell in love with the
album and now it is quite possibly my favorite out of all 3. (Not to say
Diary and LP2 are bad, by any means. They are all great).
I just think it's funny that the same things are popping up again with
this upcoming album because it is, once again, very different from their
last. I'll admit, I'd love to hear more stuff like LP2 or Diary or HIFTBSO
but, it is true, if a band dosen't evolve they grow stagnant and turn into a
parody of themselves. I mean, I'm not trying to start any arguments here,
but my problem with a band like, say Korn, while I will readily admit that
they have their own sound and feel and respect them for that, is that they
are starting to play a one-note tune. I swear, I heard one of their new
songs on the radio and it sounds like something off of Follow the Leader or
Life Is Peachy and what have you.
I would rather see SDRE stretch and try something new, even if I think
it sucks, because it at least shows that they have ideas and are willing to
have the balls to try it out. I have heard that the lyrics on this album
seem to be more "contented", I guess is the word. Well, I admit that one of
the things that always attracted me to SDRE was the writing and the personal
conflict and what have you. I will ALSO admit that I could give a rats ass
about songs concerning pollution or what have you (sorry). BUT, I also
respect the fact that, if Jeremy is a bit happier these days, more power to
him. You have to remember that good song writers write what they feel, and
if Jeremy isn't sad, I don't want him to try and just bash out a mournful
tune just for the hell of it! I imagine it is quite the double-edged sword
for people in bands that have such "down" narratives, for the most part.
What the hell do you do if you want to write a "Happy" or at least, "more
upbeat" song? You want to please the fans, but you also need to speak your
mind and be honest. I'm sure he just wants to share his good feelings with
everyone. This dosen't necissarily mean the songwriting will turn bad,
though. I think the Prophet is very inspiring and it is their most
optimistic song, IMHO. And I am not EVEN close to a religous person, so
that isn't it.
Anyways, I think I have gone wildly off course in my direction, as per
usual. Just wanted to throw some things out there for you all, for better
or for worse. They're just my thoughts. I'm still eagerly awaiting June 20
and July when SDRE is coming to DC!! Woo-hoo!! Need to get my ticket,
too!!! Arg!
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 5:38 PM
Subject: RE: [sdre-l]: unfavorable review
>
>
> I know it doesn't count for much, but here's my 1/2 cent...
>
> Personally, I think music critics are retarded. I could spit out a bunch
of
> shit about bands, too... it's not like they have a hard job. But, they
have
> every right to share their opinions. Now on to mine....
>
> Why are people so afraid to let a band's sound progress? I have the new
> album, and I think it's incredible... Sure, Jeremy's voice may get out of
> hand sometimes with the falsetto, but it's not overbearing. The music's
just
> as good as any of their other stuff. Like I've said before, the band's
sound
> progressed. They used a different "recipe" for every album. They've just
> graduated from the other sounds.. sure, there are traces of the others,
but
> The Rising Tide is its own album. It portrays a completely different
feel.
> I personally love it. But, of course, that's just my opinion. Thanks for
> reading, or if you deleted it before reading it, cheers.
>
> -tortoise
>
> "I dream to heal your wounds, but I bleed myself..."
>
>
