Amor Vincit Omnia...The Verdict Thread

[blondeambassador]

Feb 25, 2009 23:06:40 GMT dixon said:

Again back to AVO; I think I prefer the single version of Victorious Cupid to the album one (I've replaced it in my playlist) even with the bizarre timesig change in the last few bars. I've listened to it 55 times according to Last.fm and it still catches me out.

Not at all, the fact you weren't offended by it negates it entirely...I just hate the idea that people would go round everyday finding these things offensive, when they are never intended to be so and should be taken as lightly as they are said. It's not just 'PC' though, this could bleed into my whole 'nanny state, everyone has to be wrapped in a cosy blanket, soon you won't be allowed to buy a pint without filling in a risk assesment' rant thus I think it's time we moved swiftly back onto more lovely topics such as AVO!

About VC though,I do disagree. The introduction of the album version of VC has brought it to life again for me, it was one of my least favourite PRR tracks of late but that shift starting of gradually and then kicking in really gives the track the punch I think it needed.

[butler]

I'm happy to hear that VC will be somewhat fresh on the new record. It's never been a song I've been particularly blown back by, but it's certainly got some interesting sounds and hooks in there.

[isador21]

And I believe they've re-recorded the drums for VC on the album, but that could be wrong...
Maybe the mix has been slightly changed...
That crashing cymbal just sounds so great, it doesn't feel like the drums on the single...

[Nikos]

I believe it was mixed by Justin Hill and Dan Weller, formerly of SikTh.

[baldyslaphead]

Feb 25, 2009 23:36:21 GMT blondeambassador said:

Not at all, the fact you weren't offended by it negates it entirely...I just hate the idea that people would go round everyday finding these things offensive, when they are never intended to be so and should be taken as lightly as they are said. It's not just 'PC' though, this could bleed into my whole 'nanny state, everyone has to be wrapped in a cosy blanket, soon you won't be allowed to buy a pint without filling in a risk assesment' rant thus I think it's time we moved swiftly back onto more lovely topics such as AVO!

Not meaning to target you specifically with this, but the following - with the exception of the last line - is the most cogent statement on the subject I've ever heard:

'It really worries me that 84% of this audience agrees with that statement, because the kind of people that say 'political correctness gone mad' are usually using that phrase as a kind of cover action to attack minorities or people that they disagree with. I'm of an age that I can see what a difference political correctness has made. When I was four years old, my grandfather drove me around Birmingham, where the Tories had just fought an election campaign saying, 'If you want a black person for a neighbour, vote Labour,' and he drove me around saying, 'This is where all the black persons and the coons and the jungle bunnies live." And I remember being at school in the early 80s and my teacher, when he read the register, instead of saying the name of the one asian boy in the class, he would say, 'Is the black spot in?' right? And all these things have gradually been eroded by political correctness, which seems to me to be about an institutionalised politeness at its worst. And if there is some fallout from this, which means that someone in an office might get in trouble one day for saying something that someone was a bit unsure about because they couldn't decide whether it was sexist or homophobic or racist, it's a small price to pay for the massive benefits and improvements in the quality of life for millions of people that political correctness has made. It's a complete lie that allows the right, which basically controls media now, and international politics, to make people on the left who are concerned about the way people are represented look like killjoys. And I'm sick, I'm really sick- 84% of you in this room that have agreed with this phrase, you're like those people who turn around and go, 'you know who the most oppressed minorities in Britain are? White, middle-class men.' You're a bunch of idiots.'

Stewart Lee, Heresy, BBC Radio 4, 16th May 2007

...AVO's great, isn't it?

[blondeambassador]

I'm not ignoring you because I wouldn't be willing to debate, I think there are valid points in there, although I don't agree with the point of view he presents but I'm passing over it because I don't think its the place (just so you don't think I'm being small minded and blanking things I don't agree with!)

On an AVO note...I've got this real obsession with Bloodless that I just can't let go of, I've definately found myself listening to it more than any other track on the album. Though I was watching the Rockpalaast recording and remembered what a bloody awesome song Deus Ex Machina is, I don't know if it's because some of the newer stuff didn't sound all that impressive on that show but Deus really shone out as brilliance. (I've heard all the new stuff they played there played much better on other dates and its possibly because it was all so new etc, with PRR I've always found new tracks take time to settle down live.)

[baldyslaphead]

Feb 26, 2009 15:14:23 GMT blondeambassador said:

I'm not ignoring you because I wouldn't be willing to debate, I think there are valid points in there, although I don't agree with the point of view he presents but I'm passing over it because I don't think its the place (just so you don't think I'm being small minded and blanking things I don't agree with!)

That's fair enough. Just thought I'd chuck it in there!

On an AVO note...I've got this real obsession with Bloodless that I just can't let go of, I've definately found myself listening to it more than any other track on the album. Though I was watching the Rockpalaast recording and remembered what a bloody awesome song Deus Ex Machina is, I don't know if it's because some of the newer stuff didn't sound all that impressive on that show but Deus really shone out as brilliance. (I've heard all the new stuff they played there played much better on other dates and its possibly because it was all so new etc, with PRR I've always found new tracks take time to settle down live.)

I imagine the complexities from the perspective of the front of house person must mean it takes a while. PRR probably aren't the easiest sound to balance.

[ryan]

Feb 26, 2009 13:39:51 GMT Nikos said:

I believe it was mixed by Justin Hill and Dan Weller, formerly of SikTh.

Ah, that's interesting. They are good them, shows on this too.

[dixon]

I'm willing to give the album version VC another go when my pre-ordered CD turns up and I can rip it in lossless quality as the difference between mp3 & Flac on my hifi is quite obvious.

Apogee is by far my fave atm. Just totally awesome. Does anyone know if they play it live?


(I'm seriously having to restrain myself from replying to the OT stuff)

[blondeambassador]

Yeah, they've been playing Apogee live since last summer and it was on the rockpalaast DVD, although without Keep Me Sane/Insane and without the beautiful ending- while I'm not too fussed about Keep Me Sane, I'd love to see that sweet ending put on it now. Are you going to any of the gigs this time round?

[dixon]

My ticket for the gig at Digwalls turned up today so it's good to hear they do Apogee Think I may have to book the next day off work...

[blondeambassador]

Right, thats it...for the next week, I am banning myself from listening to it, so it feels special again come Monday.
Not entirely convinced I'll last mind you but, I'm going to do my best!!

[forwardrob]

Hmm...

First Impressions (and they frequently change: see In Rainbows and Amputechture for albums I hated first time and have loved after about 5 plays) are not good.

There's about par for an album's length; but there's not 45 minutes of songs here. Lyrically there's about 5 songs' worth at very most, so so much repetition, and I can't get into that. Musically it seems a different difficult situation - each song seems to have a great idea (or for The Gloaming 5) but that's it. I'm missing the chiming guitars that were so characterful, and what guitar there is seems a concession to people expecting it - I'm positive Jamie knocked it off in an afternoon.

Having said that - Deus and Gloaming do well, Gloaming's still far better live, VC is far better than on the single, the mix is poor and undynamic, and those horns on Bloodless (I believe) are poor.

As I've said, I'm sure this'll change at some point; there is still some glimmer there, I'm certain.

[ryan]

Oh yeah, those synthes horns are naff.

[isador21]

Also banned myself from listening to it... last week

What's up with everyone judging every single part of every song?
I have yet to see a review of the album as a whole...
Most of those darn critics are all stuck on DEM and Apogee and seem to really hate either Bloodless or The Gloaming with passion...

Oh well, can't expect them to be like us Bright Ambassadors