I know you won’t get to it for three more months, but I’ve got “Meet James Ensor” stuck in my head and it won’t let go. I can’t wait to read what you’re going to explore on that song. But I guess I’ll have to.
Excellent piece, Chase! I know the "random" bolded letters and words are the lanimilbus code, but my brain hasn't added them up yet. I do love how this song is quintessential TMBG. The dark lyrics paired with quirky music, the hidden messages, wacky vocal tricks, and the accordion.
The personal stories you tell are the frosting on the cake and keep me coming back for more. It is always interesting to know what songs and albums connected people to, even the dark or traumatic memories. It's the songs that help us process them. That and maybe therapy. But music is cheaper and more pleasant.
It took me a while to get into this album at first, but playing it all again (for the first time in a long time), I'm amazed at how well they expanded their sound, yet kept it fully within their unique wheelhouse. It's not as cohesive as Apollo 18, but it has some of my all-time faves on it. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the rest of it.
Steve, thank you! That’s really nice of you to say. I don’t want to say that my hidden message will be underwhelming but it’s definitely just “whelming.”
I also took a while to really get into this album. I listened to it a lot when I first got it, figuring I’d get acclimated but it was such a different sound and vibe. Then the traumatic event happened and cemented this whole album as a memory I don’t love from my past but also cherish? There are some real bangers to come though!
I know you won’t get to it for three more months, but I’ve got “Meet James Ensor” stuck in my head and it won’t let go. I can’t wait to read what you’re going to explore on that song. But I guess I’ll have to.
Excellent piece, Chase! I know the "random" bolded letters and words are the lanimilbus code, but my brain hasn't added them up yet. I do love how this song is quintessential TMBG. The dark lyrics paired with quirky music, the hidden messages, wacky vocal tricks, and the accordion.
The personal stories you tell are the frosting on the cake and keep me coming back for more. It is always interesting to know what songs and albums connected people to, even the dark or traumatic memories. It's the songs that help us process them. That and maybe therapy. But music is cheaper and more pleasant.
It took me a while to get into this album at first, but playing it all again (for the first time in a long time), I'm amazed at how well they expanded their sound, yet kept it fully within their unique wheelhouse. It's not as cohesive as Apollo 18, but it has some of my all-time faves on it. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the rest of it.
Steve, thank you! That’s really nice of you to say. I don’t want to say that my hidden message will be underwhelming but it’s definitely just “whelming.”
I also took a while to really get into this album. I listened to it a lot when I first got it, figuring I’d get acclimated but it was such a different sound and vibe. Then the traumatic event happened and cemented this whole album as a memory I don’t love from my past but also cherish? There are some real bangers to come though!
I (you) found a subliminal message. Ti htiw od I od tahw won
Hold it close to your heart. Cherish it