why owb is probably the best

[dubman]

it's got too many flaws to be best anything

it's pretty great though

[cacophony]

the good parts make it some of their best material. the bad parts make it some of the worst.

it's a great album, and if not for the flawed songs plunked right in the middle that kind of ruin the vibe (boyboyboy, cuddle bunny) it would be absolutely top of the heap. i can't remember the last time i listened to one single album this many times in a row without losing interest and deviating to other artists. it's been weeks now and OWB is still pretty much the only thing i want to hear. my lastFM account stats tell the story. obvoiusly there's greatness there.

i agree that it's a very honest and emotional work. there's an intimacy that's absolutely wonderful. it's something of a slow burn and it's a shame reviewers have to chug through a listen and crank out an opinion so fast. i think it would have been reviewed more consistently top-notch if reviewers had taken the time to let the emotional side of the album grow on them.

[//\/\/]

everything she said /\ except i can't bear 'ring road' it really bears repeat listening, which is more than i ever felt about ahdo.

[Dirty0900]

To Heal is one of my fav UW songs and that is weird coming from a supposed banging techno off ya face sterotyped group.

[taoyoyo]

i have to say i really like 'ring road', although it does makes me homesick for the uk and london in particular.

[ i'm sure i could write a 'spaghetti junction' track about atlanta or perhaps a GA 400-inspired lyric but i don't know how bouncy that would be ('people are shaving whilst driving their cars... let's have a little wreck, blame it all on sonny perdue' etc).]

i've heard the streets comparison dragged out but to me it makes more sense as a continuation of the 'bruce lee' style... the lyrics and style are very much karl and not streets fella.

[cacophony]

Originally Posted by taoyoyo

[ i'm sure i could write a 'spaghetti junction' track about atlanta or perhaps a GA 400-inspired lyric but i don't know how bouncy that would be ('people are shaving whilst driving their cars... let's have a little wreck, blame it all on sonny perdue' etc).]

ring road = 285?

except the lyrics would be something like, "stuck in traffic, trying to get onto the 400 on-ramp, 5 lanes condensing down into 1, hey look there's the hospital. oh now what's going on here? a lexus has just rear-ended a mercedes. this isn't going to help."

and that's where the song would end.

[taoyoyo]

Originally Posted by cacophony

ring road = 285?

except the lyrics would be something like, "stuck in traffic, trying to get onto the 400 on-ramp, 5 lanes condensing down into 1, hey look there's the hospital. oh now what's going on here? a lexus has just rear-ended a mercedes. this isn't going to help."

and that's where the song would end.

yes... 285... they call that spaghetti junction right? lovely place to be in rushhour with a car that's gone wonky.

i'm going to make a list of stupid things that people do here whilst driving... my favorite was some guy cleaning his teeth... using one of those sonic toothbrushes... i was curious as to how exactly he was going to rinse. (guess it saved him on the special syrup for the minty starbucks drink?).

... but back on subject. OWB is definitely an interesting album... a lot more song-based than past ventures. i can see why people like the first half as it's very hooky... the second half is almost an Eno-tribute but in the nicest possible way, it's very UW though. i don't mind the fact that it's not quite as 'banging' as usual at all. they made the album they wanted to make and that's always more interesting and inspiring than a band making an album for a record label or the fans.

[Liam]

No comment on the music, but this album has some of the worst track names that I've ever heard!