You're welcome. =)
Let me know what you think of it when you give it a listen.

Album Rating: 3.5

I dont like this as much as their debut. It's good though. Nice review Conrad.

Album Rating: 5.0

THIS IS STREAMING!?? Will listen Asap. Prob also review, even though this is great. Pos'd

Did you know lead singer; Robin Pecknold's dad was a member of the 60's punk band; The Fathoms? Useless knowledge for you there. =)

Album Rating: 3.5

what Aids said. good review mr. tao

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks, guys. :3

Album Rating: 3.5

this is dope

Hmm, I don't like how you devoted so much of your review to the title-track and how you almost tried to justify that in the proceeding paragraphs. Not too sure I'm agreeing with your points either on it, as I actually think, taken as a whole, the title-track is a happy, hopeful song. But alas we do both enjoy this. That said, nice writing.

This album is lovely and I think I at least enjoy every song, but it has yet to show itself to me like their self-titled did. Maybe it needs more time. But I guess I just don't think this has as strong an identity as the debut. A weaker statement, perhaps.

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm really interested in reading different approaches to the songs. But yeah, it's hard for me to look at the title track as being happy - "if I had an orchard / I'd work till I'm sore" strikes me as being almost defeated in tone. I guess I approach the song from the angle that Pecknold is reluctantly accepting his helplessness.

Didn't get that impressions, sounds longing and earnest yet optimistic. And the lyric 'What good is it
to sing helplessness blues?' implies that there is no need to feel down about his wants and yearnings.

To me; he's saying that he will try not be upset if he doesn't get his wants and needs but if he does;
he'll work hard on them. The final line compliments this optimism 'One day I'll be like the man on the
screen', saying it is inevitable/ that one day it will come true.

Album Rating: 4.0

See, I hear that line as Pecknold trying to convince himself that what he's singing is true.

How do you mean 'convince himself it's true'?

I always get the impression he's extremely determined to reach his goals: "What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why should I wait for anyone else?" He's certainly realistic in how he considers and describes his situation and the hard work that it will take, by himself it seems, but I guess I'm not hearing the depression. It really doesn't matter, though, haha.


Edit: 123 Steo

Yeah, exactly Observer. He's tossing all his early doubts aside (the whole argument about individuality) and saying that he's going to work damn hard for what he wants and when he gets it, he'll take care of those yearnings.

And as I said before, the last line teases optimism. 'One day I'll be like the man on the screen'

Album Rating: 4.0

I guess I'm looking at it from the point of view that the speaker is skeptical. I reach this conclusion from the countless questions that Pecknold poses, questions that he doesn't know the answer to. "But I don't, I don't know what that will be" being sung in such a muscular manner strikes me as an indication that Pecknold is desperate to believe that despite the fact that he will never be able to reach his full potential, he's perfectly okay with that. But I never get the sense that he completely convinces himself of this - "someday I'll be like the man on the screen" ends the song suggesting that Pecknold still has dreams that he will never see fulfilled. And that's pretty damn sad to me.

Yeah, but he's saying whatever it is he'll be, it doesn't matter to him. It's sort of like when you're in a state of enthusiasm. I mean, he does say the entire world is inconceivable beauty in the song, sounds optimistic to me. =)

And he says 'one day'. So despite them not being fulfilled at that time, they will eventually/ it's for definite.

Read over the lyrics again with happiness in mind.

I don't think that line sounds defeated at all, Conrad. Sounds to me like he yearns for simplicity.

Edit: In regards to this comment:
"I'm really interested in reading different approaches to the songs. But yeah, it's hard for me to look at the title track as being happy - "if I had an orchard / I'd work till I'm sore" strikes me as being almost defeated in tone. I guess I approach the song from the angle that Pecknold is reluctantly accepting his helplessness."

Album Rating: 4.0

"One day" is hardly definite, in my opinion.



But yeah, I know what you're saying, and I can see it from that angle. It just strikes a greater chord with me when it's slightly less cheery. In fact, the title track just makes me cry and feel sad in general.

Album Rating: 4.0

And I don't know if it has something to do with my general outlook on life, but I don't hear the yearning for simplicity at all. Heh, I realize I'm in the minority now :3

always in-depth discussion on conrad's review-threads...