October 22, 2003

Hooks R Us

OK, my friends, here we go.

The album is called Yesterday Rules.

Here's the track list:

01 She's not a Flower
02 Fucked Up on Life
03 Oh, just have some faith in me
04 Big, Strange, Beautiful Hammer
05 Sorry for Freaking Out on the Phone Last Night
06 The Boyfriend Box
07 London
08 Elizabeth or Fight!
09 Everybody Knows You're Crying
10 Jill
11 Shining
12 Institutionalized Misogyny
13 Take all the Time You Need

"Disaster's Recipe" was left off-- it was a close call, but it just didn't sound "finished" enough in the end. Two other contenders ("She Runs out when the Money Does" and "...and for my next trick") didn't make it to the mixing stage. Versions of five of the thirteen were on "eight little songs." A few of the others have been played live by the band and solo; some have only been heard as yet by us and a handful of others.

I can usually tell whether I'm going to like an album just by reading the titles, though the title test isn't foolproof by any means. Sometimes the songs don't live up to the titles' promise, and other times surprisingly good songs will hide underneath unexciting titles. I think this is a pretty good list, but what do I know? At this point, it has lost the vital element of surprise where I'm concerned.

Matt Welch has heard it and, in backyard party mode, said it was like a punk rock Pet Sounds. Even now, in the cold light of day, he's sticking to that assessment, bless his heart. I have a feeling that claim may have been made a time or two before on behalf of this or that record; but a fledgling meme like that (if fledgling meme is the term I want) isn't the sort of fledgling meme that I'd dream of strangling before it had a chance to flap around a bit. Of course not. So thanks, Matt, and keep on flappin'.

Posted by Dr. Frank at October 22, 2003 01:56 AM | TrackBack
Comments

The suspense of it all is killing me!

Posted by: Lynn at October 22, 2003 02:00 AM

Elizabeth or Fight!

Best song title ever.

Posted by: michele at October 22, 2003 02:14 AM

::bags fork on table:: New Cd YEAHHH Waiting BOoOO New CD YEAH!!! Waiting BOOO!!!!!

And have you made a decision as to the title to your newest creation?? ...And for my Next trick sounds so damn nifty! Welp i can't wait....

PS~Thanks a million.9 for the CD and guitar pic!!! =D

Posted by: Allyson at October 22, 2003 02:15 AM

::burries head in book:: Wow i feel dumb...as the CD is called Yesterday Rules - good choice good choice! I got so ahead of myself...

Posted by: Allyson at October 22, 2003 02:17 AM

next year is so far away

Posted by: jq at October 22, 2003 03:47 AM

I stick by my assessment. Has more to do with harmonies than with, say, sleigh bells, but it stands nonetheless. Your fans should know that I've only seen you live twice, and I'm only the recent owner of Alcatraz, Love is Dead, Eight Little Songs and that compilation deal, but this is so far and away my favorite it's not even close. As you (or the beer) can attest, there was more than one moment during the record when my reaction was to kick you in the nuts, or at least threaten to, on principle.

Posted by: Matt Welch at October 22, 2003 06:07 AM

You're going to call it Yesterday Rules! That's great! I really liked that title.

I never gathered that you would be including Institutionalized Mysogyny on the album. Did you do that one acoustically or as a band?

I haven't heard of the song "She's Not A Flower". That's an amusing title. I can't wait to hear that song, and the rest of the album.

Posted by: Ron at October 22, 2003 09:53 PM

Niccceee pagee

Posted by: Acanty at February 20, 2004 01:14 PM