Comments for One Imaginary Blog

Comment on Before Three by nathanhobby

nathanhobby — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:53:21 +0000

Thanks for your thoughtful and intelligent discussion of the album. You’ve managed to articulate some things that I felt but hadn’t verbalised.

I loved the album after a few listens, but I’ve now grown weary of it. Wishing for either some catchier tracks (as in Wild Mood Swings) or the lyrical depth of Bloodflowers.

Comment on 10.15 Saturday Night by Erik

Erik — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:13:03 +0000

A “swinging backdrop”? The album version sounds rather bleak to me or at least not so powerful, it’s the live version that rocks!
I find it interesting that Simon plays a different bass solo (at the end of the song) live. It suits the song more, I think.

Comment on 10.15 Saturday Night by Jon Martin

Jon Martin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:48:59 +0000

“While always a exhilaratingly-energetic track in the nigh-inevitable end-concert medley, the song exhibits far more than dance sensibility.”
This blog has more hyphens per square inch than any other blog (except Hyphens Weekly )! And don’t you forget it!

Comment on Plainsong by Jon Martin

Jon Martin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:30:40 +0000

You’re very welcome, Will – thanks for reading it! I like your idea about the lyrics relating to inter-relationship dynamics. I often think about the song in these terms, actually. This will make precious little sense, I fear, but when I see them (Robert and “You”) in my head, I often picture Robert looking up at “You,” or sitting in the passenger seat of a car while “you” looks off into the distance. Why these images? Who can say? I suspect that it has something to do with power dynamics, and the idea that smallness = powerlessness. I’m a strange one…

I’m going to have to give “Festival” a listen – rent be damned! I’ll order one, today, and get back to you on this point…

Comment on Before Three by Jon Martin

Jon Martin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:25:31 +0000

Thanks, Will. I would have to say that “Before Three” is my favorite of the “poppy” ones, as well. I can’t help but notice that “sickly-sweetness” reference: and, if intentional, I would wholeheartedly agree about tracks like “Wrong Number.” While I would agree with your assessment of “Your God is Fear,” I suppose I would say that it encourages me to know that the musical elements still work, and that all it would take is a bit of inspiration to really push forward into greatness. (“Still work” in the sense that Porl is able to integrate without sticking out too terribly…) If nothing else, the track makes me believe in the potential of the band, which is fairly important to me. Still, I would agree that, in and of itself, it seems like a bit of recycling.

I wonder, sometimes, if Robert’s writing would be enhanced by a more-frequent release schedule. Thinking of the period through Disintegration, the man didn’t leave himself much downtime. It makes me think that, at times, he forgets where he’s been when he takes a few years off. Or, perhaps, that he felt a greater need to challenge himself when the previous release was fresh in everyone’s mind? We’re not likely to find out, but it strikes me as, at least, semi-plausible.