stip wrote:I agree the production doesn't do it any favors - it should feel more open.
I can't disagree with this. But that's something we've been dealing with regarding PJ for a decade now. Feels sort of redundant to keep sayint it.
Not as redundant as it is for them to keep doing it
Fair enough. But I think it's time for us to accept and understand that this production style is what they want. However, they are hearing it, this is what they think sounds good. Maybe it's hearing loss, maybe it's just a shift in taste. But I'm done complaining. I'm just going to move forward with the understanding that this is how PJ albums sound now and deal with it. I can still enjoy a lot of the music regardless of how much I wish the production was better.
This is definitely reminscient in style to Better Things from a few years ago (not necessarily that the songs are the same, but the style of production and playing)....and I like this. It's nice. I really liked PJ's Better Things also; t's interesting that I find PJ's covers of these types of songs better than when they try them themselves. They just be not be adept at writing this style.
The production....yeah. I think the big issue with this track (and others) is that it is a production that is favoring the vocal. Earlier in their career, Eddie was lower in the mix; his vocal was in the midst with this band. This, paradoxically, made Eddie sound stronger, cause you could hear that vocal fighting to keep space with guitars and drums, and it allowed the band to stretch out in terms of interesting arrangements. Now, it sounds like it's been produced to ensure there could be nothing musically that takes the focus off the vocal. In all of the worries about how PJ have gone mainstream, I think that's one production trick they've picked up from pop that has definitely hindered them.
Still, small potatoes. Ed doesn't sound great to me, but he sounds like he sounds now. And I do like the song, though I also never heard the original.
stip wrote:I agree the production doesn't do it any favors - it should feel more open.
I can't disagree with this. But that's something we've been dealing with regarding PJ for a decade now. Feels sort of redundant to keep sayint it.
Feels sort of lame when the guy who sang Save You is willing to phone it in for a decade plus.
I don't agree that Ed has been phoning it in for a decade plus, though. I think he's given several compelling vocal performances over the years.
Sorry, I meant creatively. He's still trying his best to belt it out, and my hat's off to him for that. But my gosh, it's gotten to the point that I expect any new PJ music to sound lazy and redundant to their previous work.
Ah. Yes, I see. Well, can't argue with you there. It sucks but it's also where we're at. Personally, I'm just gonna try to focus on the things I do like and understand that the production is what it is. I'm not thrilled about it. But there's nothing we can do. It's not changing any time soon.
stip wrote:I agree the production doesn't do it any favors - it should feel more open.
I can't disagree with this. But that's something we've been dealing with regarding PJ for a decade now. Feels sort of redundant to keep sayint it.
Feels sort of lame when the guy who sang Save You is willing to phone it in for a decade plus.
I love Save You, but that song, for a long time, was the archtype of Eddie phoning it in. I read somewhere that most of the RA vocals were demos, and they felt like placeholders a lot of the time. The end of Save You is one of the only moments on that record with real passion. One of the the things I loved about ST early on was how alive he felt after so long.
stip wrote:I agree the production doesn't do it any favors - it should feel more open.
I can't disagree with this. But that's something we've been dealing with regarding PJ for a decade now. Feels sort of redundant to keep sayint it.
Feels sort of lame when the guy who sang Save You is willing to phone it in for a decade plus.
I don't agree that Ed has been phoning it in for a decade plus, though. I think he's given several compelling vocal performances over the years.
Sorry, I meant creatively. He's still trying his best to belt it out, and my hat's off to him for that. But my gosh, it's gotten to the point that I expect any new PJ music to sound lazy and redundant to their previous work.
Ah. Yes, I see. Well, can't argue with you there. It sucks but it's also where we're at. Personally, I'm just gonna try to focus on the things I do like and understand that the production is what it is. I'm not thrilled about it. But there's nothing we can do. It's not changing any time soon.
Don't worry, I'm more than willing to argue on your behalf.
stip wrote:I agree the production doesn't do it any favors - it should feel more open.
I can't disagree with this. But that's something we've been dealing with regarding PJ for a decade now. Feels sort of redundant to keep sayint it.
Feels sort of lame when the guy who sang Save You is willing to phone it in for a decade plus.
I love Save You, but that song, for a long time, was the archtype of Eddie phoning it in. I read somewhere that most of the RA vocals were demos, and they felt like placeholders a lot of the time. The end of Save You is one of the only moments on that record with real passion. One of the the things I loved about ST early on was how alive he felt after so long.
I just meant lyrically, Save You is a song about not giving up on someone who has worth. Was just trying to make the point that for a band that once imbued every single note with so much passion, the bulk of their current output sounds completely lifeless to me.
