Manchalivin

I think Hospital Music has some unique-ness for him. Last of the Ghetto Astronauts is easily his worst to me. Very dull compared to some of his other albums. But to each their own. What about The Boy Come Home though, what do you think of that song? I think it has some great melody and is really nice musically.

MASSIVE THREAD BUMP BATMAN!! I love this show. It may not be a laugh-out-loud-a-second type show but it has its own charm and is a very cleverly done show. Very creative and plenty of subtle humour and most of all the cast and characters are fantastic and very relate-able. They have one of the best chemistries I've ever seen on a show. This is one of my very favourite shows ever.

In the words of Wanda from Corner Gas: "Pow!" ;)

SMOF does take a bit to get going but after that I don't find it boring and I just think it and Lights.. are nice. I must say though, musically, I prefer the first version of Lights.. when it was called I Once Saw A Magician Cut You In Half and hope the album version is more like that. It just stood out more and had some nicer melody I think. The guitar sounded so nice in it. Have you heard that one because I could send it to you?

I'm glad this place is getting some more traffic right now. Let's keep it coming. And Bimbly, I'm not trying to be an idiot but I don't think I should share the rest of the album demos with you. I don't know if MG would want that and you'd probably benefit from it anyway when you hear the final album. I'm happy to see you like How It Goes, but regardless of whether they're different or not, you really don't like any of the other ones like Set Me On Fire or Lights...?

Matthew has brought my attention to Talk Talk (Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock) and after giving it some chance I have come to appreciate some of their stuff. I'm not really into New Wave so I am staying away from anything before those two albums but I really like some of their biblical and spiritual themes and quite a bit of the music on them has a certain beauty to it. It's something I have to be in a certain mood for though as it's far from immediate and a lot of it is very laid back and subtle. It doesn't follow any specific format. It's different from most of the music I listen to and it can be boring at times but often times it's quite peaceful and relaxing. My favourite overall between the two is Spirit of Eden and the song I Believe In You is the most powerful to me. I can see Matthew Good being a big fan when I think about it. I think Beautiful Midnight definitely has some similar qualities with creating a thick mood and subtle moments and there was quite a bit of organ used in MGB which Talk Talk used a lot. I'm sure influence can be seen elsewhere but that album as a whole seems the most representative to me. Extraordinary Fades from the new album is quite reminiscent and someone said it was the closest he's gotten to Talk Talk.

Oh, well I dunno, maybe you'd rather leave the rest for the completed album? It's up to you, I'm assuming you're an M+ member since you've heard Zero Orchestra? You also can get all the demos from the forums there. I was under the impression you had heard most or all of the demos but you have only heard 3 demos of the actual songs that made the album (Die Like Kings is not on it). Now this is where it's very interesting to me because I wouldn't be too surprised that you find the new material so similar to recent stuff if you had only heard Lights of Endangered Species and Set Me On Fire as they're not too different (especially Set Me On Fire), but I have a hard time grasping any MG fan finding Zero Orchestra anything close to a rehash of other material. What have you heard of the new stuff?

As a big Matthew Good fan, I don't think you have too much to worry about with this album. Even if some things are a stretch to you I am sure you will find stuff to love about this one. I know the response to the new demos has been highly positive. And Bimbly: Have you heard all the demos? I am curious as to what your thoughts are on What If I Can't See The Stars, Mildred?

I just meant I trust his opinion regarding this over mine or other non musicians. You're certainly entitled to disagree and I respect that but I know I'm not the only one who finds this new for MG.

That's so strange to me because I see fans being really surprised when they hear it and have a hard time understanding how you think it so similar. I sure don't know much about the technical side of music but overall this song sounds very different for Matt and not just because it has different instruments in it. The piano doesn't sound like usual MG piano at all to me and is far more playful and upbeat. I can understand you being put off by the vocals and I sure don't want every song of his to be like that but there's an edge and energy to his voice that I haven't heard from him in years, like since MGB days. I'll leave it up to the musician, Matt Good, who seems to think this song quite different from anything he's done.

Don't quote me on it but I thought it was something to that effect. His favourite record is Laughing Stock by Talk Talk so that may give you an idea of what he's talking about. Anyway, it's too bad you're so disappointed by the new demos. Hopefully the completed album will change your mind. The reason I find these new songs interesting and enjoyable isn't at all just because horns, etc. are included. And nor are their inclusion the only thing that makes this record different but Matthew's vocal approach is different on a lot of songs as well as some of the songwriting. You could add any kind of instruments to a song and it could still come up flat but this isn't boring at all in my opinion. Matthew set out to break out of familiarity with this record and I think he was very successful in fulfilling that goal.

How did you hear Zero Orchestra, through the demo he posted on his site or the video that was posted on Facebook of the band playing a basic version of it in the studio? Because if you heard the actual demo (which has loads of brass and piano), I find it really surprising that you'd think it anything at all like Hospital Music or Vancouver. ZO has got to be one of the most radically different things he's ever done. The shout-esque vocals are different but I think the song is extremely musical.

Yeah man, it's very subjective. I just find it interesting you mention him seeming to reject songs that are catchy yet Zero Orchestra seems loaded with hooks and catchiness to me. Also Us Remains Impossible from Vancouver, I thought that was catchy. Perhaps in a different way though. He's mentioned something about melody being overused and taking something away from a lot of music (can't think of exactly what he said, I may be a ways off the mark) so it would make sense if you don't find the same melodies you used to in his new music. But I don't think his new music is lazy or tired at all, quite the contrary, I find his new stuff refreshing and really appreciate him challenging himself so much. He seems to be really proud of this new record and said it's the most challenging album he's ever made. To each their own, but fans who haven't heard anything or much from it don't worry, you just may love it. Or you may not. I really look forward to hearing it finished and seeing fans' reactions to this one. Well good news then, Die Like Kings won't be on the album. I really hope I don't get demo-itis with this one.

I agree with you on this. Bad Pennies is very enjoyable and catchy. I'm a little surprised though that you seem to hate Zero Orchestra when you really like Bad Pennies. Even though they're still very different from each other, they're both very catchy in my opinion. ZO being included on the new album makes up for BP being left off Vancouver I think.

I'll be the other side. Musically, based on the demos of the final songs, this is BY FAR his most interesting album since Avalanche in my opinion and possibly EVER. That's not the same as saying I think it will be my favourite album of his (I doubt Beautiful Midnight and Avalanche will ever be topped, equaled at best, but not topped). I know it's a bold thing to say and much of the music on this is different for MG, but I really think it just fits him right now. I think the opposite of what you said regarding pre-MGB material: there's similarities to it, but unlike most of that, this is very interesting. And while I can understand some people being put off by Zero Orchestra, I think it will just be a temporary shock to some and many will come to appreciate it. I think it's one of the most catchy and unique songs he's ever written and it's not like that song represents the whole album. Just hold out, I think you'll find plenty to like when you hear it complete and give it a chance.

Zero Orchestra is the final demo he came up with. He was trying to re-work Hornets into something that fit the album and he liked and came up with ZO instead which is a completely different song from Hornets and I much prefer ZO. In my opinion it's the most upbeat song of his career and very catchy but in a different way. You may be shocked when you hear it, it is VERY different for MG. I quite like Die Like Kings but I think I definitely prefer A Short Time on Earth version and it's one of the songs I most wish had made it to the album. But it depends on my mood.

For and Against, as far as I know, was not recorded and I don't think it will be an Itunes exclusive. The only extra that was recorded is Darling I believe. I'm not sure what, if anything, he's going to do with F&A.

From news on matthewgood.org homepage: Matt

Oh I see. Anyway, here's another photo.

Huh? Are posts disappearing? I know I made a post after Muran's last one and now it's gone and it looks like saturnine made one and that isn't showing up either.

No problem ;) . It is so nice to see. I'm really happy for him.

8 pounds, 1 ounce

Born 7:14am February 7th, 2011. Yay for Matthew Good and family!

Part of me is really happy to have heard the demos and the process and part wishes I never heard anything from this particular album (except maybe the single) until it is released. Because while I'm glad because it's a high quality work to me, it would be that much more exciting first hearing this not knowing what to expect. Also the thought of the surprise coming off of Vancouver. But this album of all albums I'm sure will sound quite a bit different yet in the final versions compared to the demos so I'm sure there may still be some surprises. When asked which song sounds the most different from its demo version Matt said either: "most of them" or "all of them". Not to mention it sounding that much nicer and grander with real instruments and great production. I am trying to hold off until it's released to listen to it in its complete form though. I hope he doesn't preview it so I don't have anything to resist.

Actually, according to an answer I got from Matt via the 'ask me anything' thing he did around Christmas time, the length of the album is approximately 47:00 minutes. Also, keep in mind this is a 9 song album so that's a pretty long album based on that.