Seeds We Sow -- First Impressions

[michelej1]

Save me. It's gone too far.

SortaSavage once outdid himself with a chart comparing feelings different websites had for each of the bandmembers. I don't want to fall into a cliche, but if someone's a leather clad deity, why deny it? Why keep trying to pretend otherwise? Resistance is futile.

Seeds We Sow - I think this one would have worked as well or better as a closer. My favorite part is the end, where his whisper flutters over the guitar.

In Our Own Time The fire just doesn't burn as fiercely as it did live.
The chorus loses some force, I miss trailing from "still in my mind" to the fury of "it wouldn't make any difference. We crossed that line." I think the song loses some of its meaning when you lose that sharp contrast. I think the song speaks of both regret and resentment and the album version doesn't capture the two tones as well.

Illumination - I like it, but it sounds like he's singing with a wad of gum (or worse) lodged in his cheek.


That's the Way Love Goes - I don't really like the helium voice, but at the end of this song it works with the way "it goes, it goes, it goes . . . " It's like the song is winding up to bat, just as it's ending. What are the lyrics? He went into her dungeon and saw her secret??


When She Comes Down - I agree that this one has an almost gospel quality. Of course, the layered vocals does indeed make you think of harmonies past. If there's one song for which you call Christine up and ask her to join you, this would be that one. The song has a rise and swell that's so uplifting that I almost resent Lindsey coming in and breaking it up. When I read the lyrics posted, I thought "now she's falling" meant falling in love. But the way Lindsey delivers that line in a halting, discordant fashion, I now understand that he means she's falling down the stairs and breaking her neck! I'd prefer not to have the flow of the song interrupted. But it's quite beautiful.


One Take - Incredible. This guy will not die. His guitar will catch fire during the guitar solo on this song and he'll ascend straight into heaven. Put a halo on it. Oh and the way he drops it down at the end, weakening as the middle class disappears . . . as a statement, I find it much more effective than Peacekeeper or WTWCT. THAT'S RIGHT.

Gone Too Far - Obviously, the more I listen, my preferences will change, but right now this is my favorite. So beautiful and vulnerable.

She Smiled Sweetly - Don't like the vocals. At one point he gets so husky and breathy it sounds like a porn call.

This is a masterpiece. I'm not going to say it's my favorite, because I still like GOS, weigh them both in total, and GOS might win out for me. But the peaks on this album reach an almost spiritual level. Reaching up to the crazy stars.

Michele

[Silver Springs]

Well my CD just arrived, so I'll be gone about a week now bahaha! *Closes self off to listen*

[Silver Springs]

Seeds We Sow - Already have/listened to this, and I love it. The melody and vocals, despite him probably not setting out for them to be so, I find quite haunting. And his fingering is excellent. I love it when a guitar is played in such a bare fashion that I can practically see and feel each movement and flick of his fingers over the string.

In Our Own Time - Oooo...Well the very light drum work in the background is quite dishy, isn't it! With this sort of song, sometimes I feel as though the vocals just don't quite match with the music. But the timing on this is splendid. And I do like the chorus because it almost feels more like a bridge, to me. It's hinted at without getting too bold, fitting well with the line "the implication of a crime". Because, as much as I love Lindsey, sometimes his chorus' are a crime lol. The final little guitar riff is certainly crazy, which I do love of Lindsey.

Illumination - Uhm. Well the start up isn't THAT promising. Kind of reminiscent of 80's Glam Rock. But the song gets better as it goes along, and I do like the fact that during the verses the guitar is barely audible, allowing the Drums a little limelight. Which does fit very well as I couldn't see a guitar working too well with the verse vocals unless he was going for almost a Kurt Cobain feel. Although the chorus isn't the BEST of the album, I'm still singing it to myself. So it's definitely catchy.

That's The Way That Love Goes - Aww. The opening guitar is very sweet, almost lullaby-ish. And that's how the song goes until the bridge and chorus, where it kicks up to a crazy level. I LOVE IT! It is reminiscent of the ambiguity and constantly shifting moods of love. He captures his contest in his music very well. The addition of bass in the background is a very welcome addition to detract from the slightly sickly feel of the guitar during the higher parts. TtWLG doesn't seem to be too popular amongst his fans, but you can certainly count me as a lover.

Stars Are Crazy - Can't say I'm a huge fan of the title. But let's get past my aversion to crassness lol. There's something slightly flamenco about his guitar playing on this track, which is kind of getting stuck in my teeth a little. This is an example of a problem Lindsey commonly has with his work. That his music overshadows his vocals. Maybe if the volume button could have been turned down a notch or two on the music before he sang, it would have been much more fitting. Having said that, all in all, the song is nice. Just not one of my absolute favourites. I get the feeling that if I sat down and read the lyrics properly, I may just appreciate them more than the song itself.

When She Comes Down - Starts a little like a song I would hear on the radio and then quickly change the station. I'm not a HUGE fan of the background music, but I am enjoying the lyrics and vocals. I hope he performs this live with just the guitar. Add that and the almost choir like addition for the chorus and it should be smashing. Just missing a little something, to me. But I still like it. Hang on.......actually.....As the song progresses....The music is growing on me. I'm singing along so that must count for something, haha! Would still love to hear an acoustic version, but not so bad.

Rock Away Blind - Muuuuch better intro. I can see his fingers moving again And I am very much enjoying his patented "vocal echo" over the top, as well as a slight hint of beat that I am tempted to accuse of being foot stamping. When he keeps music more simple without throwing too many concepts at it, he's at his best. Though adding a little more for the chorus does help to take the song over the edge into "Wowville".

One Take - Ooo...Starts very early rock and roller... I am finding it very difficult to write anything whilst moshing and headbvanging during this song. I love the speedy vocals during the verses...and then the chorus!!! Oh my.... My brain hurts from head banging so hard. I cannot top the description Michelej1 gave this song. So on the button! This is my favourite song of the album. I'm laughing like goofy, I'm enjoying it so much. Hang on.....Air Guitar time. Be right back.

Gone Too Far - Despite the beat, this song is incredibly soft. Again it suits his vocals very well. And again the addition of extra vocals in parts of the song work well to add a more vulnerable and open err to the song. He does sound very much like he's opening up his soul for us to have a peek around. Might need more than one track for that job though, lol.

End Of Time - I don't know why but I immediately picture a large, lush and green garden when I picture this song. Don't ask me. The verse vocals are nice, but I think they're topped by the higher chorus. Another song where I feel as though he's laying himself open completely. They do say that exposing weakness is the strongest thing you can do, and judging by the quality of this album they aren't wrong.

She Smiled Sweetly -Although I am a great fan of the demo, I've realised that I much prefer it in its most cultivated fashion. The demo sounded raw and primitive, which I loved for its own merit. But this version has the feeling of somebody singing their lover to sleep. It's so beyond sweet. I wonder if he ever played Kristen or one of the children to sleep with this.


I feel guilty about the fact that all I could think of while listening was "This albums kicks Stevie's arse". But it does. In Your Dreams pales compares to it. I'm sorry Stevie. I love you. But he's just.....better than you at music. This is definitely one of his best albums. Encroaching on a par with OoTC, but not quite. OoTC will always be the reigning King, I'm sure.

I'm going back for another listen

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Silver Springs

Gone Too Far - Despite the beat, this song is incredibly soft. Again it suits his vocals very well. And again the addition of extra vocals in parts of the song work well to add a more vulnerable and open err to the song. He does sound very much like he's opening up his soul for us to have a peek around. Might need more than one track for that job though, lol.

The way he holds the breezy "saaaaaave" note and then finishes with a "me" which almost sounds like bleating, just undoes me.

Christy, I know what you mean about feeling a catch, but this is the song that does that for me and the lyrics . . . so sublime. 'Waiting for my ocean to rise, long after I've gone. And your conversations all turn to lies and you wake up singing my songs.' The words almost sound vengeful, but they're not mean, because he's the one who needs saving.

Dee, with only the silent surf answering the call, I'm thinking he's talking to someone who lives by the ocean.

Michele

[Silver Springs]

Originally Posted by michelej1

Dee, with only the silent surf answering the call, I'm thinking he's talking to someone who lives by the ocean.

Michele

Well I wonder who that could be

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Silver Springs

Well I wonder who that could be

And the fitting thing is, this sounds like an ocean song. Unlike the other 3, Lindsey and Mick don't talk about sailing that much, but this song puts me in mind of it. It speaks of slow escape. I don't want to say it brings Christopher Cross to mind, but it definitely takes me away.

Michele

[TrueFaith77]

The songwriting, lyrically and melodically, is top notch. If he had turned this in as a demo to Fleetwood Mac, I think they'd be like: OK, Linds, let's DO that double album. And then they'd lay down some real drums on these tracks.

For me the next biggest flaw is the he didn't sequence it a la Neil Young. Open with Seeds We Sow (electric) and close with Seeds We Sow (acoustic). THEN, I think it would be a contender. But as it is, I, in my first impressions, prefer the SOUND of UTS and the peaks (DYMM! WFY! LRD! BAR! RPTF!!) on GOS.

My faves so far (chronologically): TTWLG, SAC, WSCD, RAB, GTF, EOT. And I am not digging SSS, unfortunately comparing it to the fuller symphonic sound of the demo.

Looking forward to second impressions...

[bluefox4000]

Picking it up tomorrow. I'll let you guys know.....so excited.

Mick

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by michelej1

The way he holds the breezy "saaaaaave" note and then finishes with a "me" which almost sounds like bleating, just undoes me.

Christy, I know what you mean about feeling a catch, but this is the song that does that for me and the lyrics . . . so sublime. 'Waiting for my ocean to rise, long after I've gone. And your conversations all turn to lies and you wake up singing my songs.' The words almost sound vengeful, but they're not mean, because he's the one who needs saving.

Dee, with only the silent surf answering the call, I'm thinking he's talking to someone who lives by the ocean.

Michele

Perhaps! I like the song but I don't think it sounds vengeful... I really like the guitar part where it sounds echo-y in the background. Whatever technical word I'm trying to say. lol

[TrueFaith77]

And then there are the resplendent D.I.Y. innovations that put SWS into a class all its own.

[UnwindedDreams]

i bought it on amazon today. i'm digging it. are there any bonus editions in stores like in your dreams was @ barnes & noble?

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by UnwindedDreams

i bought it on amazon today. i'm digging it. are there any bonus editions in stores like in your dreams was @ barnes & noble?

Yes... Amazon.com has a couple of remixed/outtake tracks for download when you buy the mp3 version of Seeds We Sow.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by CADreaming

Perhaps! I like the song but I don't think it sounds vengeful... I really like the guitar part where it sounds echo-y in the background. Whatever technical word I'm trying to say. lol

No, I don't think it sounds vengeful either. That was my point. The words on their own sound like he's trying to rub the other person's pain in, especially waking up singing his songs. Presented in another tone that could be a jeer. He describes each detail of the other person's loneliness, in a way that could be insensitive, like when a doctor probes your wound too deeply. But I like what Bee said about "soft". The soft way the words are sung reveal his tender concern. And the "yeah" he throws in just sounds so raw and unadorned.


And basically to me, what he's asking to be saved from is her hurt. That seems to be what's gone too far, that's what he wants to stop, because he doesn't describe his own sadness (which is surely there), just hers.

Michele

[MrStevie]

I don't know what I was expecting but I'm stunned speechless. Not in a bad way. I've listened to the whole album about 5 times. Some tracks I had to hear a couple more times. My thoughts and emotions are all over the map right now. I think I need to wait and sort everything out as the day goes on. So far my one word summation is fanfrickintastic!

[Dodfather]

My CD just arrived at work. I can't wait to get home and listen to it!