The vintage instruments lend the whole album a sort of nostaglic glee, listening to it almost feels like being transported back to the 1940's. They should score the next Bioshock game.
Slightly ropey set-list for me (where was We've Been Had, The Blue Route or Little House of Savages?), but maybe that's because I love pretty much everything they've ever done and was bound to be disappointed!
But he bloody goes for it, doesn't he? Seen them three times now, total commitment every time.
It's a masterclass in creating a cogent, sustained atmosphere across a whole album, which seems to be a bit of a lost art these days. But, having said that, its not merely a mood piece, there are also an abundance of cracking tunes that are at least the equal of every lazy critic's favourite, 'The Rat' - ('In The New Year', 'On The Water', 'Canadian Girl', 'The Blue Route')
Simply amazing stuff - can't recommend it highly enough!!
and for the first time I'd be inclined to say Walkmen>Jonathan*Fire Eater. They've always been solid but now they're finally...there - hanging with The National and the other big dogs.
the newer stuff was great live, and they were real gents too... used all of our amps and stuff, (made them sound better than we ever have).... but then went out of their way to be gregarious and share their rider and such. all round impressed.
yes
it WAS my album of last year
Yes
It's a masterpiece - I love them.
Yep, way up there in my top 50 of 08
The vintage instruments lend the whole album a sort of nostaglic glee, listening to it almost feels like being transported back to the 1940's. They should score the next Bioshock game.
it was magnificent
they are magnificent
everything about them is magnificent.
did anyone see them at the scala t'other week? dear god his voice is a force of nature.
Yeah I did.
Slightly ropey set-list for me (where was We've Been Had, The Blue Route or Little House of Savages?), but maybe that's because I love pretty much everything they've ever done and was bound to be disappointed!
But he bloody goes for it, doesn't he? Seen them three times now, total commitment every time.
picked this up at the Birmingham gig
and not sure why I hadn't bought it prior to that, cracking album. As for live, his voice is just fantastic, so powerful.
By a mile my favourite album of last year.
I pretty much still listen to it daily.
It's a masterclass in creating a cogent, sustained atmosphere across a whole album, which seems to be a bit of a lost art these days. But, having said that, its not merely a mood piece, there are also an abundance of cracking tunes that are at least the equal of every lazy critic's favourite, 'The Rat' - ('In The New Year', 'On The Water', 'Canadian Girl', 'The Blue Route')
Simply amazing stuff - can't recommend it highly enough!!
^^^ Perfectly put! ^^^
I can't stop raving about it to anyone within earshot!
It's lovely (and rare)
when an album has that evangelical effect on you.
Yep, tis really really good
and for the first time I'd be inclined to say Walkmen>Jonathan*Fire Eater. They've always been solid but now they're finally...there - hanging with The National and the other big dogs.
Each to their own, of course, but (and I'm aware I might be in the minority)
I reckon that Bows + Arrows, let alone You & Me > anything The National have done.
And I do like The National
i dunno if agree with that ...
the two of them are both pretty fucking fantastic bands
craigx
Yes it did
Perfect for the colder weather.
its brilliant... as are all their other albums
they supported idlewild way back in 2001 or 2002 and ive loved them ever since i saw them then... a damn fine band
craigx
this was when i saw them, at the corn exchange in edinburgh
This thread made me try and find my copy of Bows + Arrows
I failed, but Spotify succeeded. Great little record, just generally good fun.
supported them a few weeks back...
the newer stuff was great live, and they were real gents too... used all of our amps and stuff, (made them sound better than we ever have).... but then went out of their way to be gregarious and share their rider and such. all round impressed.