a song off Chris Thile's new album [Archive]

eightstrings

Sep-13-2004, 2:25pm

Yes, I agree...it's definitely NOT a fiddle tune http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif, but hey...I think it's awesome. #Chris is just an extremely progressive musician and doesn't feel limited to just playing hoedowns and "hot licks." #I sure as heck love Bluegrass-there's no question about that, but I also love a lot of other stuff. #Should be interesting...

Brett http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

joshro78

Sep-13-2004, 3:20pm

like it or not, you have to appreciate that he is playing every single instrument in every song along with the vocals!
I think it's awesome.

eightstrings

Sep-13-2004, 4:10pm

Exactly!

Fretbear

Sep-13-2004, 7:44pm

I especially like how he has to sing extra loud so that you still can't make out the lyrics behind the the barrage of assorted audio noise..... Thile rules!

jasona

Sep-13-2004, 7:57pm

I listened to it many times on Sunday while doing some work. I think its a well crafted tune--but fairly light pop. Perfect for having in the background but, as yet, I wasn't deeply drawn into it. Perhaps it was from having my attention split, so I will try again some other time.

Still, as light pop goes, its not bad.

mandoJeremy

Sep-13-2004, 11:22pm

Light pop? #I don't think so! #How old is anyone that thinks the same? #That is very much straight 90's ALTERNATIVE and I am also impressed. #Drums....I have always felt that beat as a mando player but I don't have the coordination. #Very impressive even though I see a break-up coming of Nickel Creek because I think Chris wants to do the solo thing.

LilCreekster

Sep-14-2004, 7:43am

I hate to burst anyones bubble... but "alternative" is popular. Like it or not. So it's generally under the umbrella of "pop". I've heard Sean Watkins describe the sound of his 26 Miles album as "quality pop"... I'm guessing Deciever will be along those lines from the description an the EF clip.

Now, bluegrass, THAT's alternative music hahaha. Least in most parts of the country hehe.

Should be interesting to hear people flip out when this album comes out, hang on to your seats, mandopickers... this ain't NAWWAL! I, personally think it's a pretty cool undertaking (not to mention bold going against what everyone expects out of him) and look forward to hearing it. But then, I have a pretty broad range of music I enjoy. I loved 26 miles. No, it's aint the Creek ;) But it's well written, well played music. It's great to see artists doing what THEY want & are interested in, rather than stay in their comfy, established niches.

I think people tend to forget that some of Thiles biggest influences are NOT bluegrass, but bands like Radiohead, Wilco, and Elliot Smith.

I read this comment that I loved... "Thile plays 25 instruments on this album... I don't think I could even NAME 25 instruments" Hahahha. And I must admit, the one man band image (a la Merry Poppins) did pop into my head, mando out front, drums on back, things strapped everywhere. *chuckle*

Sep-14-2004, 7:59am

Sounds alot like like the group Counting Crows. That was the first thing that popped into my head. Sounds like the follow up to the Counting Crows "Mr. Jones"

Definatley not bluegrass.. but I see where he is coming from.. I thought before I listened it was going to be way out in left field but I actually like him doing this type of music instead of the other weird stuff he was doing. I think he could actually pull this off with a video and it would play on MTV and get a good reception.

dasspunk

Sep-14-2004, 8:30am

Though it's not my thing, I wish Chris the best on this new record. This kid can flat-out pick!

I found a duet of him and Casey Driesen playing between Tim O'brien sets at the station inn (thank you Bluegrassbox (http://Bluegrassbox.com)). Now this is my thing... have a listen to The Chris and Casey show (http://www.dasspunk.com/music/grass/chriscasey/).

mandough

Sep-14-2004, 10:59am

Someone said it "Sounds like Toad". Sounds more like a Toad the Wet Sprocket reject.
I heard he played all the instruments on the album (ala Prince). He's no Prince.
That mandolin riff in the song is completely out of place.
Chris doesn't have the greatest voice, he should have doubletracked it.
I give it a straight C. C for originality, C for musicianship, C for the song.
Doesn't stack up to the genre he's trying to emulate. Sounds disingenuous.

Only my opinion.

Sep-14-2004, 12:01pm

Hah.....great post Mandough! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Michael H Geimer

Sep-14-2004, 12:09pm

" Definatley not bluegrass "

LOL! Now, I haven't listened to the song yet, but give me a break folks. Who goes listening to a Chris Thile solo track thinking their gonna hear Bluegrass? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Albert Whiting

Sep-14-2004, 1:13pm

i agree with mandough. by the way i am a big thile fan

mandofiddle

Sep-14-2004, 1:19pm

Okay, I haven't posted on this yet, because I wanted to let what I heard "sink in" and also see what some of y'all had to say. #I've listened to a LOT of Toad the Wet Sprocket, and a lot of similar alternative music through my musical growth. #I can appreciate where Chris is coming from as a fan of that type of music, but I'm not entirely convinced by the sample track that he's successful at emulating it. #Mandough mentioned that it sounded like a Toad reject, and even though I hate to admit it, I kind of agree with him. #The sample song to me sounds like he was trying to sound like Toad. Whether or not that's true, who knows, but I was expecting completely new territory to be covered on the CD. #Hey, maybe it is and its just not represented in the sample track, but if the whole CD is similar to that track...? #Well, I've heard it done before by the bands who were doing it originally.

(edit) I wanted to add that I'm a big Thile fan as well, and am not intending this post to be a "rip" on Thile by any stretch of the means. Just trying to offer criticism based on my personal tastes and listening preferences.

Christine W

Sep-14-2004, 1:53pm

As Thile himself said at the symposium. you don't have to like everything your heros do, "your heros make mistakes and are only human" . NOT that I think this is a mistake. I will reserve the rest of my opinion when I listen to the new CD and have the time to absorb it and really listen to the music. Not while I"m at work with an mp3 download. Thats no way to listen to anything and give it your full attention.
I think it is good to voice your opinions in a positive manner. Voice on!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

mad dawg

Sep-14-2004, 2:18pm

I hate to burst anyones bubble... but "alternative" is popular.
True enough -- music with roots is far more alternative than "alternative".

LilCreekster

Sep-14-2004, 2:40pm

I agree on the holding off judgement (on musicianship and quality and esp. voice)... the streaming files never give justice to the recording. For 26 miles I was flat out horrified with how bad Sean's voice sounded on the streaming audio. Almost to the point of not getting the album.

Happily I was pleasantly suprised it sounded nothing like that warbly crud that streamed. LOL

Though, you can certainly get an idea if the style is to your liking from the clip (as several have done already http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )

The reality is it wasn't produced for mandolin players and will have FAR less mandolin in it than anything he's previously done (heard some discussion on that). So I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceburg as far as people getting riled up!

ShaneJ

Sep-14-2004, 5:05pm

I don't know if this CD will be earth-shatteringly original, going where no man has gone before, or any of that. I really doubt that was his goal anyway. It seems to me, and I can only speculate, that Chris just LOVES music -- all kinds of music (some of which I don't really like, myself). But he seems to have the ability to hear the "coolness" in a lot of styles of music, and he wanted to play it himself. He didn't want to get a bunch of other people in the studio to do it for him either. He wanted to take a truckload of instruments in the little room and not come out until he'd played all of 'em. I really don't think he wanted to show off either. It seems like he enjoys the challenge that music of different styles and on different instruments bring. After all, I don't think playing bluegrass on the mandolin is much of a challenge to him anymore. Not that he doesn't like it....it just seems to me that he's looking for new challenges. Most of us can pick bluegrass on the mandolin for the rest of our lives and never run out of challenges, but that guy literally has so much talent that it HAS to get boring for him sometimes.

He may never be as good by himself as Toad in that genre or anything like that, but I'd be willing to wager that by himself, he's better at more styles of music than just about anybody else out there right now. I hope he sticks with Nickel Creek and that they continue doing "newgrassy" type stuff, because I think that is where he shines the brightest. It's always best to play to your strength. But he is a musical STUD, anyway you want to slice it.

Emmiemando

Sep-14-2004, 5:17pm

I could not agree more, SJennigs! I think that most of us were just really amazed at the new sound he created in "Not ALl Who Wander Are Lost" with the mando at his side. But now seeing him in a totally different style of music (that we've heard a lot of), it's a little surprising. I, like SJennins, think that he just enjoys and appreciates tons of music and want to have fun playing it!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

jasona

Sep-14-2004, 5:56pm

Light pop? #I don't think so! #How old is anyone that thinks the same? #That is very much straight 90's ALTERNATIVE and I am also impressed. #
Guess that shows my age--I cut my teeth on punk. London punk, not this Orange County rehash passing as punk these days ;)

Counting Crows, Hootie, Toad; in my book its light pop. Britney? Well, that isn't music afaiac. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Perl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Blur...that is more what I would consider straight 90s Alternative.

(Just to let you know where I'm coming from. Its not bad--there's just no edge to it.)

Michael H Geimer

Sep-14-2004, 5:59pm

OK ... I listened ... and wished I hadn't. Sadly, I have to agree with the 'Toad Reject' label.

SJennings, you're probably right ... CT surely loves all music. He is also often quite original, and he has incredible techinique, but - imho - those things really don't matter too much. Ultimately, those qualities aren't worth beans if the songwriting is weak. Much the way Robert Fripp or Ween can be original, techincally brilliant ... yet uninspiring.

- Benig

ShaneJ

Sep-14-2004, 6:23pm

I agree, Benig. Brilliant and broadly appealing don't always happen together. I appreciate the brilliance, but I probably wouldn't listen to it much. I have his CD w/Mike Marshall, and I never listen to it either. It's incredibly brilliant, but not commercial. I listen to Nickel Creek stuff a lot though. I hope he sticks to what we like instead of what is challenging to him. I get bored with the stuff that is NOT boring for Chris, but I love the stuff that might?? be boring for him.

TheNaivePicker

Sep-14-2004, 7:42pm

..Dude that Rocks! Im Looking forward to Buying, thats for sure.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

adgefan

Sep-15-2004, 7:47am

I have to say I really like it and can't wait for the CD to come out. It's clearly not going to be on the same level as NAWWAL but that album was so exceptional Chris will really have to go some to ever reproduce it.

I love the lo-fi indie/pop sound he's captured on this song (also illustrated by Sean Watkins on 26 Miles) and I've been listening to that kind of music far longer than I've been into bluegrass so maybe I find it easier to accept he's gone off in a completely different direction.

Having said that I fully appreciate why some may hate his new sound.

I just wish Nickel Creek would hurry up and get their next album recorded. I've been waiting too long! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

LilCreekster

Sep-15-2004, 7:55am

I've been listening to that kind of music far longer than I've been into bluegrass so maybe I find it easier to accept he's gone off in a completely different direction.

I think ya might be hitting the nail on the head with that one!

I wonder too, what the age line is... the new stuff seems like it would appeal to the younger crowd, whereas NAWWAL is pretty much univerally recieved age wise.

Kirk Albrecht

Sep-15-2004, 8:26am

Well, I guess I'll venture in on this one. I love Chris Thile's playing, creativity, sense of musical adventure. I don't really care for his singing (very average), and the cut I listened to from the new record "Deceiver" leaves me underwhelmed. I mean - 25 instruments? It is only safe to assume that at his tender age he will be incredible on one or two instruments (mando related), good on a couple others, and at best, average to below average on the others. I think that sample cut illustrates that. The drums were so lame as to not even be necessary to the vibe of the song.

Besides losing the strong talents of musicians with chops on their instruments (like on NAWWAL, which is in my CD player a lot), you lost the natural interplay of musicians which you cannot replicate by recording track over track over track. The connections which come from playing together are lost on a project like this, and to me, it sounds sterile.

If Chris cares about his listeners - and I have no doubt that he does - then he would want the best recording he can give them. This, I think, will prove to be less than that.

I think it will end up sounding like B-grade alternative rock with some acoustic twists which he can bring to the table, but wholly unsatisfying.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV.

Kirk Albrecht

levin4now

Sep-15-2004, 9:14am

He may be very talented, but I will wait till i can hear all the tracks on amazon.com or something before I rush, no, crawl out and buy it. If I buy another Thile CD, it needs to be heavily mandolin. It took me awhile to like his not all who wander cd.

Michael H Geimer

Sep-15-2004, 9:31am

" I hope he sticks to what we like instead of what is challenging to him. "

Well, I think I'll disagree on that point. 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander'. What I means is, CT should follow his own heart and play the music that he wants to make ... whether or not we like it.

I just hope CT doesn't end up as the 'Steve Vai' of the mandolin world. After all, Steve is one *incredible* guitar player, but ...

Spruce

Sep-15-2004, 10:23am

"#I have his CD w/Mike Marshall, and I never listen to it either. #It's incredibly brilliant, but not commercial. "

I've yet to play a live CD recorded with a single microphone by someone sitting in the 5th row at a Denver show of Thiele and Marshall playing "Caldron" material to anyone (but mando players especially) without their jaws hitting the floor. #It's a stunning document that makes the studio "Caldron" seem rather tame and wimpy...

And anyone who has had a good listen to Thiele and Grier playfully blast their way through the likes of a medley of Blackberry Blossom > Wildwood Flower > Black Berry Blossom > Foggy Mountain Breakdown or Big Mon on the Prism recordings will not spend much time debating whether Chris can play bluegrass or not.

As for Nickle Creek, I'll reach for any number of live shows kicking around, if for no other reason than to hear the gasps of amazement from all the mando players in the audience...

These are the recordings that fans of the genre will be playing for their friends in 30 years, much in the way that fans of Bird pull out a Royal Roost recording or fans of the Dead grab a '71 Hollywood Palladium CD.

If Chris wants to make a record with him playing all 25 instruments, it's only because he can. #The same muse struck McCartney and Wonder in the early days of multi-tracking, as well as a lot of other musicians discovering the wonders these magical new tools.
I mean, Les Paul would have killed for an 8-track machine in the 50's...

It's fun, for cryin' out loud... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

But those recordings that hover under the radar that only a relatively few people get to hear will be the stuff of legend down the line...

Hell, they already are....

chirorehab

Sep-15-2004, 12:39pm

Amen Spruce!

Eric

P.S. I still have that Thile & Grier show in my car stereo & I listen to that medley almost every day! - Thanks!

adgefan

Sep-15-2004, 1:48pm

I wonder too, what the age line is... the new stuff seems like it would appeal to the younger crowd, whereas NAWWAL is pretty much univerally recieved age wise.
Well, I'm roughly the same age as Chris. And judging by the sort of songs he has covered in gigs (Nirvana, Radiohead, Beck etc.) we have grown up listening to the same sort of music. Plus I think I love Elliot Smith every bit as much as he does.

So perhaps that makes it easier for me to "get" what he's trying to do with the new album.

Not that I wouldn't kill to hear something along the lines of Bittersweet Reel or Wolfcreek Pass instead, you understand, but I'm happy for him to just try something different. It's easy to forget he's been making instrumental acoustic albums for half his life now and I can imagine he just doesn't feel challenged with that sort of thing at the moment.

Spruce

Sep-15-2004, 3:00pm

"Well, I'm roughly the same age as Chris. And judging by the sort of songs he has covered in gigs (Nirvana, Radiohead, Beck etc.) we have grown up listening to the same sort of music. Plus I think I love Elliot Smith every bit as much as he does."

I'm 53 and you've listed some of my favorites there... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I don't think age is as much of a factor in determining tastes in tunes as much as it was in previous times, but I could just be blowing air on that one...

On the other side of things, Thiele's been playing with a rhythm section whose combined age is pushing 120...