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Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
Thought I'd start a new thread since the other one was getting very long and not necessarily about our thoughts on the album.
Overall I like the album a lot, but it's a strange listen. It doesn't immediately strike me as an album, but more a mixtape or playlist of new Underworld tracks, because many of these songs have been heard in one form or another over the past few years, so the newness isn't there, just the cleanliness of the studio production and collaborations. But also, because, unlike make UW songs, each one has a clear beginning and ending. There's no cutting from one to another and really the sequencing is almost negligible. The songs could be listened to in any order without losing impact. The same can't be said for their earlier albums. (That's neither good nor bad, just an observation.) So it's not like a traditional album listen from start to finish. Also, the collaborations make the album a bit disjointed. There's a lot of sounds going on here and because each song has it's own flavor, the effect on the whole is disparate. That said, here's my thoughts on each track: 1. Bird 1 - Stellar opening. I love the way it begins and builds through the song. Could be longer though in the end. (8) 2. Always Loved A Film - Good, clean, fun. Maybe too much so. A good summer single. Love the refrain here. (7) 3. Scribble - The notorious first single. It's fun and loud. Great lyrics. A bit annoying. Not one that will last through the years for me. (5) 4. Hamburg Hotel - The closest sounding thing to UW of old. Very '90's experimental UW. I like it but ultimately it doesn't go anywhere. (6) 5. Grace - A great UW "ballad" - Really love this one. One for the ladies. Different enough from Telematic Peal v2 that I can keep both. I think they found the balance with the vocal treatment. (8.5) 6. Between Stars - Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Sounds like it fades out too early at the end. Should be 10 minutes really. A great song. (8.5) 7. Diamond Jigsaw - The rock'n'roll song. Surprising given PVD's involvement, this one is more rock then dance. BUt it's a classic. Just superb (though I actually did like the Van Halen synth in the live version, but that's ok). This is a great song for driving fast. Makes a great couplet with Between Stars - wish they were better linked. (9) 8. Moon In Water - It's not the original computer voiced one. That said, it's freaking amazing. I think it's my favorite, and in my mind should be an album closer. Makes me want to stand outside and spin. Superb all around and another classic for UW. (9) 9. Louisiana - Need to give this more listens I think. It's just dull for me and feels tonally out of place here. I feel you could switch it with Best Mamgu Ever and it would make more sense album wise. The transition to it doesn't work from what comes before. Maybe more listens will change that. This is a party record and that song doesn't close things out as I'd like. (4) 10. Simple Peal - It's a bonus track and really just an ambient one at that. Also doesn't fit, but nice to have. (5) A really good, if disjointed collections. Loads of fun throughout though, which the last couple weren't. Now it's your turn. Some will agree. Some won't. |
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I know there will be people who won't like this album, but fuck it.. i love it, its the best UW album since Dubno. 8.5/10 at least, i can't stop playing it, unlike OWB, which i have played a coupel of tracks and thats it...
having been a fan since before Dubno was released, i think i have the right to decide whether this is a valid uw relase or not...and as the No.1superfan of old i'm giving my opinion... with the exception of Hamburg Hotel which sounds like a B-side, and is pretty vocaless, and Louisiana which should have been on some moody soundtrack, this album flows lovely, (that said - Louisiana is a beautiful track - it just doesn't fit here imo) its full of great songs, with verses and choruses, which of the like UW have not really done since before dubno... i love Karl's voice and he is a nice vocalist - so let the man sing... those of you who like the banging techno shit - avoid this album IT IS NOT FOR YOU - move along anyways, people are gonna disagree but this album rocks... from Bird 1, ALAF, DJ, Between Stars, Grace - its all good... Diamond Jigsaw could have done with the synths but its still a great little tune i can see why this will not appease everyone.... but hey they boys sound like they're in a good place - let them stay there i say... moody soundsacpes are soooo 90's... Barking, Cracking more like! |
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I agree 100% with your assessment of Hamburg Hotel. Its almost great, but ultimately doesn't go anywhere! A shame really. Reminds me of a track from the Cocoon gig, but I can't place it.
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Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
I really enjoy this album so far. As for your comments - I disagree about Scribble. That's at least a 9 for me. I wish they had closed the album with it. That would have been epic. Maybe something about it just really gets to me.
Hamburg Hotel I totally agree on. I was really digging it, but it just kind of faded out after 5-6 minutes. It is definitely the closest to their "old" sound that you get here. I'm not sure if it was just supposed to be a jam, or what. But I'm glad it's on the album. As for Louisiana - I'm with BSS on this one. I think it's beautiful and haunting...but it's not really right for this album. I dunno, maybe a few more listens will change my mind. You're totally right starfox that it should have been replaced with something like Best Mamgu Ever, that would be amazing... As it stands I don't think it's quite as good as the first two, but maybe their best since. Really digging it and hoping this brings new fans into the fold. |
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Mmmmm...
A little disappointed. Nice album, ok. Not more. It really sounds as no Underworld album. Happy sounds, I prefer the old mature sound. The only surprise is Louisiana. Wonderful track. Whatever, nice tracks, overall 7. But really far from their older albums.. |
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I'll add that I haven't wanted to play air guitar as much as I do with Diamond Jigsaw in years.
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Still unsure on Hamburg Hotel, but really liking it. Still hoping Bamboo will make an appearance somewhere as a B-side.
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bird 1 - great groove, but a little too dubfire for me.
alaf - way too much mark knight/d. ramirez scribble - love parts of it.. one of my favorite tracks from the last few years of live sets, but ultimately, i find myself enjoying the demo versions much more than the final product. hamburg hotel - agree with the other assessments.. great track, but never really gets there. still though, a great listen. grace - no. imo, it's a lazy effort all around.. especially the vocal treatment. karl isn't the world's greatest microphone wrangler, but come on.. he sounds awful. between stars - same as alaf. way too much MK/DR. diamond jigsaw - pvd to the max. not my thing. moon in water - the standout, for sure. incredible groove... can't help but move your body. i really, really like this one. louisiana - sounds like an OwB track. personally, i love it, as i love this side of UW. i do agree, though, that it feels odd on an album full of club anthems. simple peal - as great an ambient wash as underworld has ever produced. they are masters as creating these types of sonic textures. love the granulated bell. a nice bonus. overall.. it will probably be at the bottom of the list of underworld albums for me. i'm just not into this sound. but, the boys definitely accomplished what they wanted - they have a whole heck of a lot of huge tunes that will slay any large festival, plus be absolutely slammed by all of the big DJs. add in the remixes that are soon to follow and you've got an album with a lot of legs in the club circuit. you've got to respect an act that can put out an album of film-score inspired tunes, and then turn around the next time and drop a handful of the biggest dance numbers in years. that type of diversity is impressive.. and ultimately.. why i love this band so damn much. :) i am very much looking forward to getting my hands on disc2 of the LE box. i have a feeling that's much more the album i was hoping for ;) - dc |
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however - 'getting your hands on' disc 2 is not getting 'the album', basically its the rejects - i'm expecting ppl here to review the disc 2 as what should have been and thats wrong imo... disc 2 is not 'Barking' the album or the album 90% of the people will buy - disc 2 is a kinda thanks to the fans who listened to the process - the lemonworld jams etc - thanks for staying with us, but DISC 1 is the album and as such stands up i hope there's no backlash when ppl get teh second disc |
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That said...before you call this the "rejects"...wasn't "Cherry Pie" a reject? "Parc"? "8 Ball"? "You Do Scribble"? UW have a reputation for having great rejects! |
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Work in Progress or Demo ≠ Reject. Otherwise, BSS is right on.
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1. Bird 1 - Have to agree - it's a great opening. Dubfire definitely has a heavy hand... but I kinda like it. It's also funny b/c I remember going to the Yoshitoshi Shop in DC (when he was a part of Deep Dish, they had a record store/ studio there)... and one time, I came in, and asked if he 'knew underworld' (meaning - are you aware of their music, b/c I wanted to buy similar stuff) -> he gave me a very annoyed reply of "Not personally" - completely missing the point, but I digress...
2. Always Loved A Film - It almost sounds too fun. Like, I'd feel silly if someone heard me blasting it on my car stereo 3. Scribble - I keep flip-flopping about this. I wonder how "You Do Scribble" would've sounded with lyrics... or this track without those synth stabs... 4. Hamburg Hotel - It reeeeeaaaaalllly reminds me of "Mosiac" and also of some of the old-old improvs (like around 94/95, especially 1995 Leicester University) 5. Grace - I think this track is great. I thought "Telematic Peal [Version.2]" (from the June 11th broadcast) was good enough on its own, but I dig the new pattern of the percussion... it's got a nice sway, instead of a steady pulse 6. Between Stars - for some reason... It kinda reminds me of Depeche Mode (like their live renditions of old standards, like "Enjoy the Silence"). Not a bad thing. 7. Diamond Jigsaw - Absolutely can't get into this song at all. It's the only song I couldn't listen through. 8. Moon In Water - I thought the original sounded "nice" and was very chill. Basically, it sounded like an OWB bside... this sounds like a SINGLE. 9. Louisiana - It actually made me a bit teary eyed. Just something about the tones, and the sounds really really got to me. The second half of the song or so - like when the live-sounding drums come in, sounds a bit Moby-ish. I mean, it seems that it's what Moby was trying to get at with "Hotel" (but Underworld succeeded) 10. Simple Peal - Really just feels like a bonus track. I couldn't tell any difference between it and the one that was available to download back in 2008. It fits in as well as Phonestrap would've... |
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who said they were out of ideas? they're stuffed with them. they're excited, they're bounding with enthusiasm, it just sometimes works and sometimes doesnt.
bird 1 - seemed more substantial live, like theyve translated its darkness into something more quiet. it's good, though i expected it to be more.. insistent. 7 always loved a film – decent-i-guess. anyone remember when this was full of anxiety, a bit disjointed? now i'm being asked if i can feel heaven. egh. if we're gonna get cheesy though, this is an okay way to do it. Shit guitar break though. 6 scribble - still terrible. hate the beat, and the riff is a headache. meaningless. sometimes you dont appreciate things until they're gone and to hear YDS turn into this is just awful. it's not an embarrassment though, just something i hate. 2.5 hamburg hotel – this is good. I agree with the 90s vibe and its ‘incompleteness’ doesn’t bother me. It’s them having a go to what the kids are up to in their own way. Wouldn’t get anyone excited but appreciated for where it is. 7 grace. There was nothing wrong with telematic’s beat and it was a lot better than what’s here. Nonetheless I think it’s a good egg. It’s nice when karl let’s the words talk instead of the voice. Unlike a lot of this album, there’s nothing to get used to here. I think I might get bored of it pretty soon. 6 between stars – I think this is their most successful grab at outward-uw-pop for this album. Feels shorter than it is, and I like how the vocals nearly get drowned out because what words I can hear sound completely ridiculous. So the shouting is all left to mirror the noise of the song, and his delivery is excellent. Exciting! Some bits strike me as a tad stupid as expected for a song like this but I really don’t care right now. Better on headphones, you feel saturated. 8.5 diamond jigsaw – the second in the 1-2 punch of pop done right for them. That stupid fucking guitar threatens to upend everything into technoshitrock nonsense but it’s quickly assimilated into what works and karl is again on fire, plus the lyrics don’t sound half bad this time. 7.5 moon on water – the purpose of this one still escapes me. It’s a slowburn, it’s rich, it’s a bright light, it does nothing for me at all. I don’t even get mad at it, I don’t feel a goddamned thing here. like chemical brothers today: music that seems to exist purely because it’s what happened. Dry hole. 4 Louisiana – the wavering vocal already got the wary eye from me but I took it on its own terms, I liked the piano, the words were great, this was going to be a warm little send off. Oh but then the beat. That beat. Fucking ridiculous. Ruined. 3 Simple Peal – I dunno about you guys, but rick is pretty decent at capturing the ambient noises in your head when you simply sit back and experience life happening around you. Steady pulses, tones, a bit of peace, hearing something then quietly repeating it to yourself. Doesn’t fit on the album but who gives a fuck. Glad it’s here. 7.5 The cruel average of numbers has me rating this a 5.9 but I feel like it’s more of a 7. The album shows what theyre going for, they made a decent crack at it, and it’s another angle to a restless band always trying to create more. Still an apologist slant for what would be something I’d toss if it were done by others (because at the end of the day I wouldn’t care if I never heard ‘between stars’ from anyone else), but I really thought this was going to be the one that I didn’t care about. I’d hear it once, get back to what I was doing, and shake the dust from the kind of fanboyism that listens to an album he only likes half of a bunch of times. nooope. I may be mixed on this but they’re still grabbing me because it’s their trajectory and it’s still interesting. I think I’ve listened to it through about 7 times since yesterday and I’m still totally fine with it. I expected something pretty bad, and got something decent, so I’m happy. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
disagreements are good!
always enjoy the discourse here surrounding a new UW release. :) - dc |
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I think it is solid, and I need more listens with it to form a better opinion. I'm sure this album will grow on me more.
(Songs below are listed in the order they are on the album) Songs I think are very good: Bird 1, Always Loved A Film, Louisiana, Simple Peal Songs I think are good: Hamburg Hotel, Diamond Jigsaw, Moon in Water Songs I think are decent/okay: Scribble, Grace, Between Stars Those last three are not too good to me (those listed as 'decent/okay'), but I don't dislike them (there is hardly any song from UW I dislike). I'd say my favorite of those three is Between Stars. I read an opinion that it is over produced and I agree it does seem so. Less is more sometimes (or maybe often times, heh). I really do think the album will grow on me more with repeated listens. I don't think it'll beat OWB for me personally. I definitely don't think that this is the best album from them since STITI or Dubnobass like some do. No disrespect to their opinions, just stating my take on such comments. I don't think this album will beat BF or OWB for me, and it may or may not rank above AHDO for me. (To note, that is just my current speculation about the album vs. other UW albums) But such things really aren't that important. :) I like this album, that is the bottom line. I like this album and it'll grow on me over more listens. I really look forward to what I call the alternate album (CD 2). I have a feeling that I'll like CD 2 of the box set more, and if this ends up being the case, that doesn't mean I'll just forget about the main album. It is exciting because CD 2 of the box set; with it, it is like we get two new albums from UW in the same month. And CD 2 isn't "the rejects" like someone said. It's the alternate album. It is unofficially another album from UW, if you ask me. Unofficially one, but I'll just chalk it up as another major release from them. :p It will be like the River Run series. A major release from UW that is geared for the diehard fans. :D And about the bonus track, Simple Peal is a great track. It is no different from the version that has been around, but that is okay; the song is very good as it is. When I have YDS AR Version, I'll put Barking on my iPod with the nine tracks of the regular release (because I really like Louisiana as a closing track) and then make a playlist for the playlist category that has Simple Peal and YDS AR Version. Also, I hope that Are you Rockstar? gets a release on an EP. That deserves an official release. Same thing for Toobee. Another good track that could use an official release on an EP. Maybe they should release an EP with those two songs and Louisiana. |
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Agreed. Simple Peal is a fantastic bonus track, and I kind of wish they'd do a full album of this kind of stuff (besides I'm a big Sister, etc.)
Finally figured out what bothered me about Jigsaw...the main melody is totally different! I was just hearing the old one in my head! |
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1. Bird 1 - Love the abstract & imaginative lyrics and the slow builing beat to start the fire off right. Getting more used to the hihats and synth plops in the percussion, and I think I’ve actually grown to like them in the mix now. Great choice as the warm up opener.
2. Always Loved a Film - Album version is a thick wall of sound (in a good way) from the beginning. The springy echo sounds at the start are much more prominant than they were on the radio edit. Catchy lyrics (HEAVEN chorus especially) and a perfect breakdown in the center of the track is what made this the obvious lead single. Love the piano stabs at the end too. As I described it in an earlier post, it kinda reminds me of a modern day Pink Floyd track that’s geared for the dancefloor. 3. Scribble - You Do Scribble is baked right in, so that is a huge plus for me…because that song has easily been one of my favorite new Underworld tracks that they've created in the last couple of years. The changes to it took a while to get used to, but I think its great as its own standalone single. Looking forward to hearing the Abbey Road version of You Do Scribble as well as the studio version of the original on Box Set cd 2. PM me if you happen to come across a copy of that ole illusive Abbey version. 4. Hamburg Hotel - Echoes of offbeat dubstep mixed with a tuba sounding bass that begins to modulate as the track evolves. Warbles of spoken word snippets zip around as well. Feels very rooted in Jazz, with the percussive elements shaking, scrubbing, and tapping away in a freeform style. Very alternative and subtlely layered track for sure. You should definitely reserve final judgement on this one until you give it a few listens…it will slowly grow on you! 5. Grace - Seems like a slow, introspective song at first, but somewhere around midpoint (about where the acoustic guitar part kicks in), the whole song feels like it gains a large amount of momentum that opens it up well. Catch myself humming and singing the lyrics to this one to myself quite a bit actually. 6. Between Stars - This is hands down the best treadmill running/ driving really fast song on the album. The lyrics are interesting and go well with the orchestrated high pitch synth pads that are featured throughout. Borderline cheese though. 7. Diamond Jigsaw – Glad that the “Chariots of Fire” synth was done away with in lieu of a more prominent guitar lead. In fact, the guitar solos on this track are the best part about it. Lyrics are fine and match well with the carefree, poke-your-chest-out vibe that the drums and guitar convey here so well. Obvious choice for next single or should it be Bird 1? 8. Moon in Water – Raped and left bloody in an alley. No, actually its not that bad of a reimagining. 70% of the lyrics are still there (this time spoken by Danielle) but it bugs me that they’re not fully intact…..the whole “present never invites….with knowing not which to depend….this is the time that you realize” part is completely snipped, with an almost taunting reminder that “things are constantly changing, changing, changing”. The rise and fall of the synth waves are much more intense, and make you forget that there is a far superior “original” version on Box Set cd 2…lol. That said, I still love this track. 9. Louisiana – Fits in on the album like a pale blonde boy on stage at the Apollo playing country music about hockey. But, regardless, it’s a very nice relaxing closer. Your friends and those in traffic around you will hate you so be forewarned. MANLY FEELINGS *grunts*. 10. Simple Peel – Calming atmospheric ambience, and the perfect true closing track to the album. Sub frequencies and subtle synth tones dance with sounds of bells, voices, and bits of static or silence. Amazing blast of fresh air that harkens back to the good ole’ Tongue and Blueski days of old. |
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good review mongoose...I agree with almost all of it (except that I liked the Chariots of Fire synths).
Here's my honest take...this is kind of like the Thriller of electro...almost every track could be a single, doesn't really fit too well as an album, but it hardly matters. No, really: "Bird 1" is like "Wanna be Startin Somethin", nervous, sneakily funky, very wordy. "ALAF" would be "Thriller", "Diamond Jigasaw" is of course "Beat It", "Grace" would be "Billie Jean" (very rhythmic, kind of apprehensive), "Moon in Water" would be "Human Nature", "Between Stars" would be "PYT" (great dance tune with a retro synth hook) god...i'm a dork |
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Ok, since everyone else is having a go, I might as well too...
Bird 1 - I can't think of any time I've ever said this about a track before... it's too long. For me, 3 mins 15 seconds to get to the chorus doesn't work for such a poppy song. Having said that, trimming 2 minutes off the front and sticking 2 more of development at the end would be great, I'm thinking 'Cups' part II... actually, this is a comment on the whole album, one of the great things about underworld is that they often start off somewhere, and end up somewhere else. Nothing on this album does that, which I think makes it feel a lot less underworld-y... anyway 9/10 Always Loved a Film - Massive, uplifting... perfect pop. I really hope the public gets to hear this, if Depeche Mode or New Order had written it, it would be a worldwide number 1. 9.5/10 Scribble - Massive, uplifting... but lightweight. I've had a blast deafening myself with this down country lanes with the top down in the sun, but I just know I'll be skipping past it in about 6 months. Could have been amazing if it morphed into the wilder bits of YDS after about 5m 30s. 7/10 Hamburg Hotel - aah, the inevitable 'one I don't like'. The unfunky drums sound forced, and there's no sense of direction. It's got an AHDO sound to it, and not in a good way. If I was in charge, I'd have tucked this away on a b-side and put 'Downpipe' in it's place, a killer tune that would have filled this spot perfectly. 4/10 Grace - a good, solid album track, I like it a lot... but continuing my theme of what ifs, I'd rather have had Bamboo in it's place. 6/10 Between Stars - Massive, uplifting... we're back into 'every track's a hit single' territory here. Needs Rick to do several longer mixes (and not just farm it out to whoever gets their name written in this month's mixmag the most). 9/10 Diamond Jigsaw - Massive, uplifting... still firmly in 'every track's a hit single' territory. I really love the song, but I find the vocal is a bit muffled. It's tuly epic, and yet strangely this has a strong Underworld MK1 feel to it, which is odd, but refreshing. Could have done with Trevor Horn instead of PVD, but you can't have everything! 9.5/10 Moon in Water - my absolute favourite track. While the rest of the album is overtly 'pop' (and is damn good at it), this track somehow manages to condense all the quirkiness and depth that's missing from the first 7 tracks in to something that, if you tried to describe it in words, ought to be an unlistenable self-indulgent pile of tosh, but actually manages to be both the most 'underworldly' thing on the album (despite Karl not doing the vocals) and also the most catchy. My only criticism is that it's criminally short. 10/10 Louisiana - hmm, I normally despise ballads, and I really, really don't like the vibrato effect on the vocals, but it's damn good at being what it is. 6/10 |
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I'm surprised by the amount of people that are disappointed...I am pleasantly surprised with the album. I think it sounds incredible, way better than I thought it was going to be. It has a pop, single-friendly sound, but at the same time you have dark and brooding moments (especially with the beautiful Grace).
Bird 1 sounds incredible, it's a great opener track. It's Strumpet for God's sake, it's what we've always been wanting and we are finally getting it in a great form, yet people are disliking it? I guess I just don't understand why. Grace even sounds like the best version of Telematic Peal I've ever heard. Always Loved a Film is way better than its single version, as is the case with Scribble (since you hear more bits of YDS). I would have loved to have YDS instead of Scribble, but that idea got shot down long ago. I agree that Hamburg Hotel is a bit strange, but it doesn't seem different from other UW releases. They seem to do this with every album, and I'm quite liking the track since it balances the pacing of the album. Diamond Jigsaw is even great (mainly the chorus...the opening is a bit too much at times); which I'm stunned because I'll admit I was scared when I heard PVD was going to collaborate. I will agree that Louisiana is...different. I was turned off the first time I listened to it and I'll admit as of right now, it might be the weakest point in the album. But I have a feeling that it will change the more I listen to it. The only thing that's turning me off is the vocals, but like I said I think it's a grower. And the bonus track is completely sweet. Ambient UW = awesome. So yeah, I'm thrilled with the release and I hope more people enjoy it as much as I do. UW gets a big thumbs-up from me. I like it more than OWB and AHDO. Sure, I would love UW to get back to their roots and make releases like Second Toughest in the Infants, but I don't think there's any turning back. Bands evolve; some do it for the better and some for the worse. I personally think UW is continuing to grow in a unique way. |
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best review ever! shame it won't sell like it... :( |
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Popular music has changed beyond all recognition of the past, these acts would only hit number one if they included some crazy named 'rapper' or a female vocalist called Katy, Gaga or Shakira chart success is not necessarily the measure of a good pop tune... |
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Right then its now time for a Flywaver review!
Bird 1.... One downside for me with this. I prefer the name Strumpet! Luv it! Was this named as a carry on from OWB closer Loads Of Birds...? Apart from mentioning said name in the track. Anyway a good opener. I still slightly prefer Strumpet but this is growing on me. So 7.5/10 Always Loved A Film.... A corker!! I liked version 1 and couldnt get into more recent variations but this has such an optimistic vibe. I dont find it cheesey at all.It needs to be in a movie so it can maybe get Underworld memorable for something other than BS NUXX. ALAF is Underworlds Beautiful Day far as im concerned. Also im so happy i can hear it with out Pete Tong ruining it. 9/10 Scribble... A great change to You Do Scribble and its a straight in your face track that has WE ARE BACK written all over it. Ok with other producers like the rest of the album but its Underworld alright. Gets an 7.5/10 from me. Hamburg Hotel... Im getting this Phonestrap6/Autotrader4 vibe from this crossed with MMM..Skyscraper I Love You which is no bad thing. Gets an 8/10. Im finding this intriging Grace... it flows nicely but to me its the albums filler which ill be more likely to skip. Guess it cant all be perfect. Ring Road was the same and Push Upstairsi cant stand either! Anyway 6/10 Between Stars... Now this and next track Diamond Jigsaw will hint of Beacoup Fish commercial dance tunes. But isnt it about time Underworld went and revisited the hands in the air Euphoria!? Clubs will love this track...8/10 Diamond Jigsaw... Guitar and ohhh it sounds like New Order. So what! New Order wont care they have retired. Perhaps a tribute to New Order in this! Also i love the Never Ending Story style sound in the chorus. This is epic. I thought i would miss this the original version but brave and great move Rick and Karl!.. 9/10 Moon In Water..... The drum comes in at a perfect pace. Ive always been a fan of the ambient side of Underworld and this is a much improved beauty that was very good anyway. Well chuffed with this album so far.... 8/10 Louisiana...I thought my heart was going to be broken. Tears were rolling and at 2 mins in i was going to cry in horror as it almost turned to awful cheesy sound but it barely lasted seconds and it self redeemed. Phew! Still its a mellow pleaser... 7/10 This now edited to 9/10! Woke up this morning and played it first. Such a nice tune as you wake up. This track now hit me! Simple Peel. Now i adore this ambient track. The church bells remind me of somewhere in the Alps as a lad. Anyway i dont feel it belongs as an extra. This should be as part of the supposed other Riverruns that never appeared... Maybe it fits. I need more listens. Bamboo would of been a belter as a closer. I still give this track 9/10 but im confused that this little gem became an album extra... Barking i give you 8.5 out of 10. Your the best album since STITI for me. Found BF was too commercial but was redeemed by Kittens and Jumbo. AHDO and OWB are about equal but a tad better than BF so... DNBWYHM 8.5/10 STITI 9.5/10 BF 7.0/10 AHDO 7.5/10 OWB 7.5/10 Points through vague memory lol Also i know i need to listen to MK1 Underworld..... :):D:cool: |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
As usual Underworld fans differ in opinions, for now this is my score:
very good - Bird 1, Always Loved A Film, Scribble, Diamond Jigsaw, Grace good - Hamburg Hotel (could have been better with some kind of vocals, Between Stars just ok - Moon In Water sort of b-side stuff - Louisiana, Simple Peal (both should have been replaced with other unreleased tracks played live before) Bird 1 is absolutely top, should have been extented or doubled in time :) This album is gonna get in a loop play from track 1 to 7. The rest will be mainly skipped. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
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Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
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'a few questions that i need to know...' |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
After first listen:
Bird 1 - 5/5 - I fell hard for "Strumpet" this past summer and then this seems like a great logical step from there. Needless to say, I can't wait to drive to this song in the morning. ♥ Always Loved A Film - 4/5 - I just listened to the single for this song after listening to the radio rip tons of times to get over the Silver Boots version. And I am loving this version more with each listen - the high energy, the guitar breakdown, and just - singing along to it and FEELING the energy itself. It just FEELS good. Scribble - 4/5 - I've been listening to this since like...I think June? So I'm kind of just avoiding it like I did with "Crocodile" when Oblivion With Bells released. But I still love it. I am incredibly biased since I love liquid funk, Hospital Records, and High Contrast. Plus those Underworld elements of voice sampling and Karl's singing. How can I possibly NOT like this song? Hamburg Hotel - 2/5 - This needs to grow on me - because to be honest, I don't remember what it sounds like right now. And I was looking forward to this song - so I am slightly disappointed with it. Grace - 3/5 - Love~~~ I haven't listened to "Telematic Peel" that much anyway (I was more enamored by "Jumping Then Cran", sorry guys.) But if I can sing along to it, then it's a great thing. A song for the ladies? Well I'm a lady and...it's cool with me. Between Stars - 5/5 - Fuck yes. Diamond Jigsaw - 5/5 - As a long-time PvD listener, I did hear a few elements of his style. But nothing overbearing - which is a huge plus. Plus with the guitar portions and how they were placed - amazing. Moon In Water - 3/5 - I need more listens of this - it's pretty chill and of course, voice sample is a huge plus. I'm sure with more listens I will fall hard for this song. Louisiana - 10/5 - I am horribly horribly horribly biased when it comes to this song. Ever since "Jumping Then Cran" aired on one of the webcasts, I fell HARD in LOVE with it and hoped and hoped and hoped for a proper quality version of it to surface. So when I heard it became "Louisiana" for Barking, I thanked Underworld from the bottom of my heart. I'd repeat the hell out of "Jumping then Cran" and sing along and just FEEL the emotion. (I also drew sketches and pictures with the lyrics - I memorized the hell out of those lyrics!) I can see how it doesn't fit on this album. But I don't give a shit - it's 3 minutes longer, and the new elements don't really overwhelm the original aspects of the song. I nearly cried listening and singing along to it the first play through. Simple Peel - 5/5 - Always loved this song. So whatever - automatic 5/5. I don't care if it's a bonus track, it is awesome. So yeah. I really really like this album. Out of 10, I'd give it an 8. It proved again to me that "Hell yes, Underworld can never disappoint me. NEVER". Underworld continues to make it difficult to rate their albums in order of how much I love them. Oblivion with Bells did help me through a week of pneumonia in October 2007. (Literally the week I received my copy of the limited edition preorder, I had to go to the hospital.) So I have a huge personal connection with that album that cannot be broken. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
Ok, i couldn't resist. Wanted to wait for the box to appear, but i'll still have fun with that, listening to the other disc and looking at the art and videos, etc.
So i took "Barking" out for a walk in the Toronto drizzle today. Early impressions: Bird 1 - Enjoying the crispness of the LP version and being able to make out the lyrics better than the live renditions. A bit of menace or at least suspense to open the record. Also surprised how effective the refrain is, as it's several minutes in before we hear "There is one bird in my house". 8/10 Always Loved A Film - Since this has been living in my player for weeks, not much surprise, other than it's still catchy as heck. The downside for me is what i interpret as Knight/Ramirez backing vox on the "and i don't know if i love you more..." bridge. Would prefer to hear Rick. It's a fine single, but as we kno, it's a far ways off from the works in progress, which all had a rough edge. 7/10 Scribble- Same as above, no surprise. But it's still delightful, and in the realm of Two Months Off...uplifting, imminently danceable. 7/10 Hamburg Hotel - I also get the "Mmm skyscraper" and mid-90's b-side/jams feel from this. The distorted and barely deciperhable female vocals, the drum patterns, the chord progressions - all distinctly Underworld. The arp-y bassline has some great effects added. Yeah, it sort of fades away, but there are a lot of elements to enjoy. 8.5/10 Grace - Haunting lyrics, driving beat. The choir effect at the start is not my favorite. But hey, waitresses, violently in love, a bit about music being too loud, silence a blessing - this is a stark contrast to the jubilant singles and the tender closer "Louisiana". One of the more claustophobic and dark tracks fo UW, in the vein of "Stagger". 8/10 Between Stars - Definitely agree with the Depeche Mode comparisons ("Behind the Wheel"?). Very synth-pop. Not crazy about the lyrics, and i think this one is a little overproduced. By the end, i was turning the volume down. Probably will grow on me, but not feeling it right now. 5/10 Diamond Jigsaw - PvD's involvment in this one doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's rocking and hard-driving. I certainly hope the junky guitar riff is Karl playing livee, not a sample! Similarly, the ending breakdown has what sounds like live drums. Certainly hearkens back to mki UW and late 80's/early 90's synth rock. Much better without the cheesy synth stabs from former live versions. Much improved, i think. 7/10 Moon In Water - Definitely my favorite of the album. Yes, it clashes with the songs before, perhaps because of the metaphysical(?) lyrics ( i can hear reviewers wondering "What the F is this about?") and female voice, but it also paves the way from dance to the tender closer. When the "does not wait to catch his reflection" loop and beats kick in, it's bliss. And it only gets warmer. I love how the vocal loop is treated with chorus or flanger or whatever until the words are less important than the melody. So glad that this got the LP treatment, as the radio broadcast version has been a favorite of mine, but it did seem unfinished. I could listen to this 10 times in a row, it just makes me feel infinite. 9.5/10 Louisiana - whoa. This is just a beautiful track. Yes, definitely a bit out of place considering what came before, though i do think it benefits from having Moon In Water's somewhat more warm/calm influence separating it from Diamond Jigsaw. "When you touch me, planets in sweet collision. Quietly violent." "I fell asleep last night on the Underground" "...bullets in conversation." Wow. I'm about to cry. It's no banging ender like "Moaner" or "Leutin", but it's an emotional core to what is, in spots, a glossy populist record. 8.5/10 Simple Peel - works for me. Calming drones and bells that fade as if walking down the streets. We know Rick and Karl have been up to ambient or sounscape-ish ttracks for a while, this is fine as the bonus track. 7.5/10 Overall, very enjoyable listen, unscientific average 7.6/10. It does seem like a collection of singles until tracks 8-9-10 sort of consolidate a deeper mood that i guess was evident on Bird1 and Grace. Its not just hands-in-the-air euphoria as ALAF, Scribble, DJ would seem to imply. It also occurs to me that all previous albums may seem cohesive and sequenced because we KNOW them that way. Very few tracks in their back catalog are mixed together end-on-end, and certainly BF had several big singles all in a row. So with time and listens, this will feel just as deliberate and "right". For the moment, i'm just enjoying the surprises. . |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
I don't know what I'd rate this album as, but it is indeed growing on me more. I already posted a lot of my thoughts on the album in an earlier page. I'd probably give it a B grade as of now, and I know this album will grow on me more. It took time for AHDO to grow on me more, and it took time for OWB to grow on me more. One thing to be said, I'm definitely not disappointed with this album. I like this album. Underworld has never disappointed me with an album (okay, except for AHDO, but over time, I came to like it significantly more and thought to myself "why was I ever disappointed with this?!" :p).
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I'm thrilled strumpet and YDS made it on the album, and to a degree ALAF and beneath stars. But they all sound like lesser versions of the live versions we've been hearing up until now. Edit: wanted to mention how much I'm enjoying hamburg hotel. Lovely surprise. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
I've decided to wait as much as I can until my 2CD box comes in the mail, but I cheated just a little by giving myself a new "single", Grace.
I'm 100% FLOORED by Grace. This is a 10/10 track for me, everything works so well in my opinion. It feels like a much more focused "Glam Bucket"--anyone else feeling this? |
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its totally accessible and enjoyable imo its not for fans of epic electronica they've been there and done that |
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(thought it's a little bit Change the Weather/Underneath the Radar!) Every album has been an evolution in sound. We tend to think of Dubno and STITI as these sacred cows, epic and perfect. Yeah, well, each of them has a few so-so tracks , and just because they have a few longer songs or a few "epics", that doesn't make the tracklisting or content any more cohesive or intentional. As i said above, give Barking a few more plays and its sequence and moods will feel intentional and "just right", too. Nope, Barking's not Dubno. It's stylistically leaning towards simpler, catchier singles. But not without a bit of experimentation (Hamburg, Louisiana) and nods to their past (Simple Peal, Grace). After a few listens, it's definitely working for me. i guess i just get a little tired of folks holding the first few albums up so high. They're great, yes, but i go through moods with them all. Each has tracks i love, tracks i can do without. But the sum of the parts is always head and shoulders above pretty much any other band out there. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
Bird1 is unmistakably (STITI era) Underworld. ALAF is unmistakably (ADHO era) Underworld. Hamburg Hotel and Louisiana (must i spell that track name wrong every time??) are total throwbacks. Moon in Water also sounds like a progression and I think that track is spectacular.
While I agree that Between Stars doesn't come off as special, the others listed above totally do. I can hear the heavy hand of the collaborators on occasion but not to the degree that I expected to and for the most part, its in the background to my ears. Scribble being the worst offender. That barely sounds like Underworld to me, but to be fair, You Do Scribble never sounded like Underworld to me until 2 years into its live life cycle. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
I really thought I was going to hate this album, but I have to say, it is a grower. I dont think you can listen to it with the same critical perspective as you would their other albums. Its a totally different beast.
Bird 1: a great tune but it is missing a bridge around the 5 minute mark, else it would be a perfect pop song ( 8 ) Always Loved a Film: blissful pop. . . hated it when I heard the radio edit. I understand the New Order comparisons. Good or bad. . . its the best New Order track in 20 years. This one has a bridge and it gives me chills ( 9 ) Scribble: Ugh. . I just can't get into this. The begining reminds me of Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain." I can't stand the snare drum nor the synth line. It just goes on too long without doing anything interesting ( 2 ) Hamburg Hotel: Love it! Am I the only one that hears elements of "blueski" in it??? ( 9 ) Grace: Love it!!! The guitar line is haunting ( 9 ) Between Stars: I thought I hated this track, but I am really growing to love it. . . the builds and the releases. . . a total wall of sound. the production seems a little too bright possibly, but its a winner. ( 8 ) Diamond Jigsaw: Its as if they took Juanita's bouncing ball rhythm, mixed in elements of U2 by putting guitar and pop lyrics on it, and created something that the masses can love. C'mon guys. . . there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that!!! ( 8 ) Moon In Water: Perfect execution! its got all the underworld sonic bells and whistles but with a perfect pop structure. The way it undulates from melancholia to pure joy is simply beautiful!!!! "manifests. . . manifests. . . manifests. . . manifests. . . " BOOM!!! ( 10 ) Lousiana: As was said in a review somewhere, it sounds as if Karl has been listening to Talk Talks's Spirit of Eden. It really doesnt do anything for me ( 5 ) Simple Peal:I guess this is a bonus track for the japanese release??? It does nothing for me. ( not rated as it isn't on the release proper) This averages to 7.5 on a track by track basis. Add a point for overall album construction and I give it a 8.5 or 4 out of 5 stars Now I can understand why many don't like it. Thats your opinion and you are welcome to it. But I think the guys succeeded in what they set out to accomplish - make a "Pop" album. Again, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
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And Dubnobass and STITI are my favs by them (in my top three for albums in general) and those releases are great. Someone said that they could do without some tracks on them, but I at least like every track on both albums, if not love 'em. :D But MK III UW is still great and it is the type of UW I've been listening to the most lately; even before I received my copy of Barking. I guess for me, what holds me back from liking Barking more than I do is that 3 of the 9 tracks aren't too good to me. Between Stars is one of them. It is the one I like the most of those three, but it isn't too impressive to me. Grace is a track some people love, but for me it is on the weak side. It is okay. I just don't "feel it" like some others do. Scribble is the other track that is weak to me. It is a bit enjoyable; a happy tune. Grace and Scribble end up ranking last for me on this album, though. I would have liked Scribble more if it wasn't for those darn "synth stabs". : p All the other tracks are good or very good to me. |
Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
lazy me, i haven't ordered the record yet. however, i'm almost 100% sure that i will like it better than OWB and it will compete with AHDO and BF for me. to me, OWB was by far their worst effort.
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Re: Thoughts on Barking (Track by Track)
An interesting set of reviews, I think it's a good sign that everyone seems to like and dislike a different set of tracks, that means it's our individual tastes showing, not a problem with the album itself.
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