Is anyone gonna buy both Porcupine Tree and Spoon?

[Monkey Bones]

Guess those might be the two biggest albums around our ailing little Rave Recs right now, although Spoon's Gimme Fiction just hit the stores yesterday while Deadwing has been out for about 6 weeks in Europe and a couple weeks in the US. They're kind of on separate sides of the alternative market, both with big fan bases, yet not big enough for that commercial breakthrough they both seem to deserve. Spoon had their opportunity for major label money a few years ago but got unceremoniously dropped by the idiots at Elektra, while Porcupine Tree is just now hitting the majors after a long career. Both have kind of a retro sound, although recalling completely different sounds of the past. But both also have a lot of critics confused, not knowing whether to celebrate the derivative sound for the fun that it is, or to criticize it for having been done before. Spoon is simple, Porcupine Tree not so simple. So, are any of us planning to enjoy both?

Or is there something else you think will be a bigger Rave Recs favorite topic of discussion than these two? Beck? Bloc Party? Eels? Andrew Bird? Any big supergroup releases on the horizon?

[3-LockBox]

Or is there something else you think will be a bigger Rave Recs favorite topic of discussion than these two? Beck? Bloc Party? Eels? Andrew Bird? Any big supergroup releases on the horizon?

Beck--never got him

Bloc Party?

Eels?

Andrew Bird--Does he have a new release? Bowl Of Fire was great.

Supergroups? The Rolling Stones has a release slated for later this summer, as well as a tour. (what a bunch of geezers) I haven't heard a good Stones album since Tatoo You, and that wasn't a great one.

[Dusty Chalk]

...no.

I got both Electrelane and Porcupine Tree, does that count? Maybe not, Electrane, not so simple. I'm trying to think of the "simplest" alternative band I listen to. Buzzcocks, perhaps?

[Stone]

What, you mean the latest The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower isn't on everyone's wish list?

[Mike]

Well I got me the new Porky Tree which I quite like, but I don't see it making any new friends it's the usual heavy/fast slow formula from them, soundwise it's not as easy on the ears as earlier albums.

As for Spoon I don't know much from them apart from a few tracks on comps from the last album which sounded good although I never picked it up in the end.

I didn't bother with the Beck I just didn't feel encouraged to buy it and from reports around here I ain't missed much. Bloc Party is a definite for those that haven't heard it yet, it's a slow burner which will feature high on my year end list.

Eels, yes it's on my wishlist I've always liked them. The new Coldplay sounds pretty good too from stuff I've heard on the radio, maybe I'm in the minority but I liked their second more than their debut.

The one I'm really looking forward to though is the next RR Rotation Sampler always good for latching on to new sounds.

Cheers
Mike

[shokhead]

PT was kinda boring and didnt do much for me.

[Davey]

As for Spoon I don't know much from them apart from a few tracks on comps from the last album which sounded good although I never picked it up in the end.

Yeah, the new one seems brilliant so far, but I've only listened to about half. Really seems to be channelling John Lennon to very good effect. The opener may be the best thing he's done so far, "The Beast and Dragon, Adored". Love it. Only goes 4:18 but seems kind of epic in nature. Really pulls you along and holds you with its dark and moody tension. The lyrics seem to be somewhat autobiographical...

I got a feelin it don't come cheap
I got a feelin oh and then it got to me
It took its time a-working into my soul
I got to believe it come from rock and roll

Nice choppy guitar soloing toward the end and that insistent piano. Very cool, and that's just the opener! But still lots of Elvis Costello and ELO and the like in the music which may not endear them to much of the PT crowd.

Anyway, I'll try to remember to stash some Spoon in your CRSV10 package. Great band.

Don't you think that Bloc Party mastering sucks? Great songs but the engineers should be fired. Not that it's all that unusual today. That PT is pretty loud and crappy sounding too, isn't it? At least from some of the comments I've read elsewhere. Like Slosh said in another thread, the Spoon guys use too much compression too, but it still sounds very good. Could be better with less compression, but who ya gonna call?

[Davey]

I got both Electrelane and Porcupine Tree, does that count? Maybe not, Electrelane, not so simple.

Whadaya think about the new Electrelane? Had a chance to digest much of it? Incredible recording. The drum sound is some of the best I've heard in ages. Reminds me of those early Kraftwerk recordings we've talked about before where the drum kit seems so full of life. Lots of air and space and real skin and metallic sounds. And the bass really sounds like a bass. I'd like to see some pictures of the recording setup and which room Albini used at Electrical Audio. He really captures the sound of a band in motion. Haven't totally warmed up to the album as a whole, but some of their jamming this time is stellar, especially when they add in some cello and piano and trumpet. Gives it almost the sound of a small orchestra at times. Kind of wish they would exploit that power a little more and really let loose and get explosive like their underlying metal sound sometimes hints at. Seems too subdued, and too dark overall. It does have a pretty unique sound, but it's kind of like they aren't sure where to take it. Some of the songs run together without a clear direction, for me as a listener. I'm left thinking to myself, isn't that just a continuation of the last song? Which was already a tad too long? Hehehe, just being overly critical. It does sound very cool and I like it a lot, but was just hoping for something to fall in love with. Isn't that always the way? The way music mimics life?

Boy, this place sure has gone dead lately, huh? Seems like only a small handful of us post stuff anymore. Guess it's kind of silly to write all this when no one will see it but me and (maybe) you. Oh well, pathetic as it seems I still enjoy having my thoughts archived on some obscure audio geek server, running somewhere in the virtual world. Not all my thoughts, though. Some of them I'd like to have back

[Davey]

Wow, just stopped by amazon.com to check out if anyone had said anything good about this new Electrelane album (which I'm really getting into the last coupla days) and there's zip nada nilch except for a couple three editorial things. But Deadwind was on my previous viewed panel so I clicked on it and there's already 58 user reviews and almost all 5-star. So I clicked on over to the Spoon page and hit Gimme Fiction and there's only 12. Wow, thought this one would have fans really energized. They do seem to be getting a bunch of high profile coverage in the press from what I've heard. Haven't actually seen it myself, though. Looks like Deadwing is winning by a knockout at this round.

[Finch Platte]

That's funny. I just picked up Spoon last night, and have had PT for a little over a week.

Some of the PT songs I really like, and to me, it sounds pretty damn good, especially cranked. Song 2 focking rawks.

I dunno about the Spoon, yet. I'm not familiar with them, so it's a whole new thing for me.

fp

[Swish]

new one along with the new one from Magnolia Electric Company and one more that nobody else has ever mentioned so I'm keeping it a secret (shhhhhh) until I have a chance to listen to it a few times.

I've been on the road so much lately that I don't have time to listen to much of my own music. I just got back from Columbus (the Decemberists played there last Saturday. I wish I had been there for that one) and I have to head to Phoenix again on Sunday. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Swish (one of these days I might be in your town)

[hmmmm]

I've just recently started picking up some music that is totally new to me like PT, Spoon, among others. I had never heard of Spoon and picked up their new cd Tuesday and absolutely love it. Something about the guitar on this cd really intrigues me. I love PT also but seem to want to listen to it late at night with no distractions. It definately isn't "fun" music you listen to on a sunny day
Pinback seems to be my overall favorite lately. I'm not sure why, but I think I'm going to wear a hole in it. It sounds awesome on my new Ar.com's.

Some others I've bought in the last month.

The Streets - Hated it...except for "You're fit"
Stroke 9 -Rip it off... Liked it for the first few spins and now I'm bored with it
Franz Ferdinand- I know it's popular but it doesn't do it for me.
Killers..Love it and have played it a million times.
PT- Deadwig...gets better every time I listen to it even though I liked it the first time.
Sum 41- Chuck... One of my favorites to work out to
Thrice- (can't remember) another good one to exercise to
Story of our Lives- so so, but a keeper
Muse- Absolution- awesome
I'm at work and that's all I can remember for now...just killing time

[Davey]

I've just recently started picking up some music that is totally new to me like PT, Spoon, among others. I had never heard of Spoon and picked up their new cd Tuesday and absolutely love it. Something about the guitar on this cd really intrigues me. I love PT also but seem to want to listen to it late at night with no distractions. It definately isn't "fun" music you listen to on a sunny day

hmmmm, I think we have a winner folks! Hehehe, way to go. Lots and lots of good music around. Porcupine Tree doesn't really fit most people's perception of prog rock any more than Spoon fits the indie rock label. Nice to see both bands getting some much deserved attention and new listeners. I have a few albums by both bands, but haven't actually bought any PT except Stupid Dream. Spoon is pretty much an automatic for me ever since Girls Can Tell hit the streets and became one of my favorites of the last few years. The new one is really keeping me happy too.