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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: ich bin besser on March 08, 2018, 07:45:24 AM
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I'm still in awe.
I attend many gigs, but last night's Bent Knee concert in Rüsselsheim/Germany probably was one of the best. What a tight and talented band, and humble human beings! They loved the relatively good turnout on a Wednesday (maybe 150 people) and it showed.
I was soo looking forward to finally seeing them after really, really enjoying their last 3 albums (don't know the first one yet) and they blew me away.
Wow. :hat :tup
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I've seen them twice, once in a small cafe close to where I live and talked to the band after the show. They are so powerful live.
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YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/bentkneemusic (full gig from 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws0gHgDd_10)
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they're awesome live, and just an awesome, consistent band.
Land Animal made my top 5 records last year for good reason.
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Been on my radar for years now. Just haven't done anything about them yet.
Should probably be on their mailing list too.
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Been on my radar for years now. Just haven't done anything about them yet.
Should probably be on their mailing list too.
Be sure to check Shiny Eyed Babies, fantastic record.
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Been on my radar for years now. Just haven't done anything about them yet.
Should probably be on their mailing list too.
Be sure to check Shiny Eyed Babies, fantastic record.
It is and I've heard it, but it doesn't mean a damn thing unless I bought the CD.
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I heard these guys are coming here. Saw they were on Inside Out and thought I heard that name before. I checked out some vids on YouTube, no way am I missing this show. And at $10 a ticket why not. Might end up being the best show of 2018 for me.
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These guys are fantastic when they play live, you're in for a treat
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Yup, its a nice small venue. 21+ too so I'll be able to take my beer to the stage. I'm not expecting a big crowd, but these guys deserve a descent size.
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seeing them in July in Minneapolis with Bubblemath.
Should be sweet.
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I missed them in may. I had a surgical procedure the day of the concert. Dammit.
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Oh my god, that was an amazing Show. Really great band. Of course, there wasn't much people at all. Got to chat with them after the show, and got a cd for free. One of the best shows I've been to at that venue.
I would recommend seeing them if you get the chance.
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bump.
just saw them with Bubblemath last week. Great show!
I wrote a review (many new songs, new album coming, etc):
https://allmediareviews.blogspot.com/2018/07/bent-knee-bubblemath-gatherers-71018.html
Also they just shared a live performance of the complete Land Animal!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwtaweXX8s
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What the fuck, I just discovered these through Google Music, and wanted to start a thread about it!!! It's so good!
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Awesome they played the entire album live. Those songs are way better live. I really hope I can make the Denver date for Haken.
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I am going to see Haken, Leprous and Bent Knee in Nashville, TN in November. I need to starting listening to Leprous and Bent Knee. Three bands in a standing only club. I know I will be exhausted after that show.
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Just picked up their latest album since they're opening for Haken, and I dig it. Suppose that's a good thing since I'm potentially going to four Haken/Leprous/Benkt Knee shows :lol
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Just picked up their latest album since they're opening for Haken, and I dig it. Suppose that's a good thing since I'm potentially going to four Haken/Leprous/Benkt Knee shows :lol
I've seen them twice bill and the lead singer is a powerhouse. Such a unique voice.
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Them being support is really good exposure for them.
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Just picked up their latest album since they're opening for Haken, and I dig it. Suppose that's a good thing since I'm potentially going to four Haken/Leprous/Benkt Knee shows :lol
I've seen them twice bill and the lead singer is a powerhouse. Such a unique voice.
Her and the bassist are awesome.
The ending of Land Animal is majestic live.
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Just picked up their latest album since they're opening for Haken, and I dig it. Suppose that's a good thing since I'm potentially going to four Haken/Leprous/Benkt Knee shows :lol
I've seen them twice bill and the lead singer is a powerhouse. Such a unique voice.
Her and the bassist are awesome.
The ending of Land Animal is majestic live.
i saw them in this little restaurant/bar. It was so unreal. We stayed and talked to the whole band after the gig. the other time was at RoSfest 2 years ago.
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I'll see them when I go see Haken I guess!
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I'll see them when I go see Haken I guess!
Their music is nothing like Haken. I suggest listening to a few albums. They are not an easy listen but there are so many layers that it takes multiple listens to get them.
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Yeah, I was surprised when I first spun the album. I dig a little diversity in the bill though.
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Add me to the crew that wants to check them out since I found out they are opening for Haken. Never heard of them before that announcement, but I haven't yet checked them out.
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I'll see them when I go see Haken I guess!
Their music is nothing like Haken. I suggest listening to a few albums. They are not an easy listen but there are so many layers that it takes multiple listens to get them.
Interesting statement. Maybe it's because my music tastes have drifted from standard prog these days, I immediately thought "holy crap, this is really good".
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I'll see them when I go see Haken I guess!
Their music is nothing like Haken. I suggest listening to a few albums. They are not an easy listen but there are so many layers that it takes multiple listens to get them.
Interesting statement. Maybe it's because my music tastes have drifted from standard prog these days, I immediately thought "holy crap, this is really good".
Well, you know me Rumbo, I'm not one to stand still musically but some don't like to venture out of their comfort zone. Plus it's really different from what's out there and it takes most a few spins to wrap your head around it's complexity and how different it is compared to what's out there.
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I passed on seeing them live which I sort of regret but also not. Was in a pretty small venue that's very hard to reach without a car (me). I've been there once to see Haken and had to miss the encore (Celestial Elixir) to catch the last train back.
With Bent Knee I don't mind as much because I think they mostly play material off their 2 less good albums (I'd say Land Animal is the consistently ok album and Say So is the super unbalanced album with a couple really good ones and some forgettable stuff) opposed to Shiny Eyed Babies, but they still seem like a band that's worth seeing some day.
I based the decision on the terrible location though, I haven't actually checked whether their setlists are unbalanced or not.
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I'll see them when I go see Haken I guess!
Their music is nothing like Haken. I suggest listening to a few albums. They are not an easy listen but there are so many layers that it takes multiple listens to get them.
Interesting statement. Maybe it's because my music tastes have drifted from standard prog these days, I immediately thought "holy crap, this is really good".
Well, you know me Rumbo, I'm not one to stand still musically but some don't like to venture out of their comfort zone. Plus it's really different from what's out there and it takes most a few spins to wrap your head around it's complexity and how different it is compared to what's out there.
BTW, you are aware they are playing tomorrow in Harvard Square? Just bought tickets for me and my gf.
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I am but I'm seeing the Foo Fighters on Saturday night. There's a little place in Nashua, N.H. they play that is so damn cozy and I can't believe they play there every year.
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Warglafbabrsbagsge...
Just got back from the concert. It was sooooo good!
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Warglafbabrsbagsge...
Just got back from the concert. It was sooooo good!
First time seeing them live?
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Around the time of Land Animals release this band was creating a lot of buzz, and so I check them, and the new album out. I very clearly see why this band has the early buzz and following it does, but they just weren't clicking for me. Then of course it was announced they are touring with Haken, and so I'll likely see them four times. So now I've been spinning Land Animals again and although I'm still not in love with them, I feel like I will be better prepared for their set.
Edit: And to those that have seen them live, are they all always active on stage? I honestly don't know who all does what, but from what I hear I rarely if ever would think it's a six piece band.
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Ben Levin, their guitarist seems to move around a bit. Headbangs, etc.
Their violinist Chris Baum also switches from Violin, to Guitar, to keys I recall.
Also to note, they have not been with the services of their drummer Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth since late June after he fell and broke his leg after their show in San Francisco. He had a successful surgery done a few weeks ago.
I think it was the drummer from Gatherers, Adam Cichocki that filled-in
Although when the Haken tour begins, Gavin hopefully will be back behind the kit again for them.
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Sorry, I meant are they all actively playing during all the music, or do some of them have passages where 1 or 2 people often aren't playing anything.
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Some Nick but not long passages. I'd say they are all playing.
Vince Welch plays synths but it's more sound design. Ambient background. it adds a mood to their songs.
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You know, that was really a thing that stood out for me yesterday, that they compose their music really well with a lot of instruments resting a lot of the time. It's been a criticism towards DT for a long time, and why I like FII so much, because a lot of good music is happening when a person isn't playing.
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I guess I will have to check this band out before I see them in November.
What are some good songs to check out?
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Land animal
Leak water
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I gave Land Animal quite a few listens last year but it does almost nothing for me. Shiny Eyed Babies on the other hand, that is an incredible album that I just adore. It's crazy how differently I feel about these two releases, like I can't even remember a thing about Land Animal. Maybe I should just revisit.
I also still haven't listened to Say So as it's not on Spotify, annoyingly.
I'm super jealous of this tour line up as those three bands on a bill together would be one hell of a night :metal
Also going to leave this here, for those who haven't heard it:
Led Zeppelin - Since I've Been Loving You (cover) (https://youtu.be/AvLR3zOrnqI)
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Land animal
Leak water
Very good suggestions, those are absolute standout tracks, especially Leak Water. They played it live and I was literally overwhelmed by how good it is.
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Land animal
Leak water
Very good suggestions, those are absolute standout tracks, especially Leak Water. They played it live and I was literally overwhelmed by how good it is.
That's what got my attention. I was lucky to get Say So a week before it's release at Rosfest when we saw them.
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I love their last 2 albums, but am starting to feel Shiny Eyed Babies is their best record. The string arrangements are more lush.
In fairness, I maybe listened to their S/T debut album twice, so I'm unsure how that one ranks, but many don't consider it as good as their others.
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Bummer they didn't play Skin live. That song is pure brilliance.
Also, Sunshine. I mean, wtf, Sunshine.
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Trying like heck to 'like' this band. I've been listening a lot in my car when driving. I'm just not 'feeling' it. The music is nice but I think it's her voice/vocals that is turning me off to it. I've had stretches where I could handle what I was hearing but for the most part it's been me 'making' myself listen to them rather than 'wanting' to.
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Trying like heck to 'like' this band. I've been listening a lot in my car when driving. I'm just not 'feeling' it. The music is nice but I think it's her voice/vocals that is turning me off to it. I've had stretches where I could handle what I was hearing but for the most part it's been me 'making' myself listen to them rather than 'wanting' to.
Her voice is soooooooo different that i could see this with many fans. I wonder if you'll change your view after you see them live.
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Trying like heck to 'like' this band. I've been listening a lot in my car when driving. I'm just not 'feeling' it. The music is nice but I think it's her voice/vocals that is turning me off to it. I've had stretches where I could handle what I was hearing but for the most part it's been me 'making' myself listen to them rather than 'wanting' to.
Her voice is soooooooo different that i could see this with many fans. I wonder if you'll change your view after you see them live.
It's possible. I don't 'hate' the band or the sound.....it's just not connecting with me right now. I could see if she has a good stage presence and the band feels tight live coming around. It's just right now is a chore to try and listen to the music to become familiar with it. I typically don't try this hard to like a band.
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my bent knee experience is Shiny Eyed Babies is fantastic, Say So is garbage, Land Animal is boring
Never got the last one but I very much regret getting Say So
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I definitely agree with Shiny Eyed Babies being the best, but Land Animal has Terror Bird, Holy Ghost, Land Animal and Belly Side Up. That is far from a boring album.
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bump.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqljHC_ghpx/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1m0slt129hbqw
bentkneemusicHi everyone, starting this off by letting you know that we're all safe. We hit a patch of ice on I-80 en route to Denver today. The car landed on its side, but we got out; no scratches, no bruises. We cannot make the Denver show tonight. We're currently working on figuring out how we can get back on the tour as soon and safely as we can. Our deepest apologies to those of you who we will miss. Pictured here are people from the two cars who saw us flip and helped us get out, kept us warm, and helped us get to the nearest town. We're so thankful for them.
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I saw Hakens post about it. Glad they're ok.
Also, this was the Haken show I was planning on attending. Kinda glad I didn't get to go as Bent Knee was one I wanted to see again.
Hope they can make the rest of the tour dates soon.
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@ Vinyl Collectors
Shiny Eyed Babies is coming!
https://twitter.com/bentkneemusic/status/1075409989576126465
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bump.
new official video for "Boxes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3Zkqgw33vk
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They make awesome music videos, that's for sure. Really fits the mood of the song.
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Nice video. It really does fit the mood of the song.
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bump.
Courtney Swain just released a solo record "Between Blood and Ocean" on May 1st.
https://courtneyswain.bandcamp.com
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new Bent Knee tune "Catch Light"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_pZNNWBnmw
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Need to hear it more, but I liked it.
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They played it when we saw them this past Wednesday.
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They played it when we saw them this past Wednesday.
They're on tour again? How do I keep missing these guys???? Maybe it's time to get on their email list.
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They played it when we saw them this past Wednesday.
They're on tour again? How do I keep missing these guys???? Maybe it's time to get on their email list.
To be fair this tour isn't coming anywhere near you.
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They played it when we saw them this past Wednesday.
They're on tour again? How do I keep missing these guys???? Maybe it's time to get on their email list.
To be fair this tour isn't coming anywhere near you.
I wish it was coming this way. Would love to see them again.
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They played it when we saw them this past Wednesday.
They're on tour again? How do I keep missing these guys???? Maybe it's time to get on their email list.
To be fair this tour isn't coming anywhere near you.
True, but I missed them the last three times they did.
If I were smart, I'd sign up for an email notification of something.
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bump.
You Know What They Mean, October 11th.
(https://scontent.ffcm1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68671773_2444483508942257_8354617401186189312_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_eui2=AeHoMZntxCEn8HMZ3kxjT2CId_-JEQv00y09YSJ-tCvhClVAm1MavkwDy8MvZolO9JgcoBLlIavYiatN7vxyK8cKDVJIuu15yFhqRUllOmqvzQ&_nc_oc=AQkx14M1qNzw9Sx5yer9oYc-iMlI-RJ1CYgI-joZxyIgk1nkKUJg9MQsgtONVYhtFklEssKDVrlXAigTLYPKekGF&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-1.fna&oh=97c73140526460b6d8b8aac7de1cb1ee&oe=5DC960A7)
1 Lansing 1:22
2 Bone Rage 4:13
3 Give Us the Gold 3:51
4 Hold Me In 4:50
5 Egg Replacer 3:10
6 Cradle of Rocks 3:59
7 Lovell 1:26
8 Lovemenot 5:09
9 Bird Song 2:55
10 Catch Light 4:38
11 Garbage Shark 5:38
12 Golden Hour 5:50
13 It Happens 5:05
https://music.apple.com/au/album/you-know-what-they-mean/1475485888?fbclid=IwAR0mQWx3xxUmHa6lMuzhqEfeyO1gED9BmyDcU7NHwRZK58bL8t-_LFDi4f0
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New single, Hold Me In.
https://youtu.be/Q63OhjXmjw4
Kind of a new sound, this feels a lot fresher than their last two albums, with a slight vintage flavour. I'm excited :metal
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Saw them play this live. Can't wait for the new album.
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God I just love Courtney's voice.
Cool song.
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bump.
fall NA tour with Thank You Scientist and The Tea Club (Mpls 11/12!)
https://twitter.com/bentkneemusic/status/1169286757814276096
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDokGYYWkAE1Vht.jpg)
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New single, Bone Rage.
https://youtu.be/8W1KaM_C7uA
Surprisingly heavy in a very unexpected way, this sounds so weird and unique, I love it.
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New single, Bone Rage.
https://youtu.be/8W1KaM_C7uA
Surprisingly heavy in a very unexpected way, this sounds so weird and unique, I love it.
Holy shit this is awesome! :omg:
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It was awesome to hear live as well.
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Just finishing my first listen of the promo of the new album, and I would like to reiterate:
God I just love Courtney's voice.
Sounds like a really good album but there's lots to take in. Definitely a bit heavier and madder. Definitely the best production they've had, a much crunchier and more exciting sound.
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Just finishing my first listen of the promo of the new album, and I would like to reiterate:
God I just love Courtney's voice.
Sounds like a really good album but there's lots to take in. Definitely a bit heavier and madder. Definitely the best production they've had, a much crunchier and more exciting sound.
I am just downloading it, I am very anxious to dig into this album.
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bump.
Courtney Swain - FountainHead; new solo album.
Ambient record with a Film of sorts on YouTube
https://courtneyswain.bandcamp.com/album/fountainhead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uugt6PcLxM
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new tune "Queer Gods"
https://open.spotify.com/album/7wUHNF0zjmfnTVYES6SaZy
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Wow. What a change in direction. Not sure I like it. It's catchy enough, though.
Hopefully this album isn't their "Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy" moment.
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I like it it quite a lot.
also forgot to include the new album "Frosting" coming out on November 5th.
https://bentknee.bandcamp.com/album/frosting
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I'm loving it, really looking forward to the album
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"Set it Off"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkk1KBS6RBs
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Ok, so Frosting is terrible.
I try to unpack my thoughts a little. So, it's for a large part of a sort of upbeat and sprightly electro art pop record. Which in itself is totally fine by me. However, that's not what made me fall in love with Bent Knee. I like how their 'organic' sound, interesting songwriting and Courtney's breathtaking vocals. None of which are really present here.
The production is probably my biggest gripe here. It's LOUD. Way too loud for my liking. I loved the production on You Know What They Mean, it had sense of space and depth. Frosting sounds claustrophobic, at least on its more upbeat songs. Couple of songs get straight up painful, I'm pointing out The Upward Spiral and Rib Woman which are caked in atrocious amount of distortion. I think the latter made me slightly nauseous (also giant middle finger to Pause which is straight up ear rape, I had to turn my speaker way down). There's a lot of vocal effects on the album, which is a shame. Sometimes I cannot tell whether it is Courtney or Jessica singing and they have very distinct voices. Songwriting felt kind of all over the place and arrangements cluttered. I think they were going for more upbeat and 'happy' sound, but I didn't like what they came up for a large part. The album improved a little towards the end, with couple songs that sounded more like their older stuff, but the only song I liked was The Floor Is Lava, which is quite beautiful and probably the album's most subdued moment.
In the end, I feel there was too much frosting and not much cake. The album is very much like its name: sugary, bright coloured and makes you sick in large amounts.
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I agree with you that it's a LOUD album. It has lots of LOUD effects.
I disagree though with it being terrible. It's good and sounds like Bent Knee. Courtney's breathtaking vocals are apparent. It's just a neat expansion of their odd style as well. Incorporating Electro-beats, pop, and playing with a lot of effects. Which I find pretty funny because their producer is also part of the band, he's up there live placing sounds for Courtneys Keyboards, adding in the effects for the vocals, guitars, and violin as well. It will be interesting to see how these songs will come across live. I have a feeling they're going to be amazing live songs, their energetic and the effects will likely sound better live than how they are on this release.
The Upward Spiral and Pause makes me think of music the NOMACS would make. :lol
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I do respect them for making such a bold change in style. And it's definitely not a boring album. But it's such a sharp left turn that I fell off the wagon.
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i gotta be honest bent knee going hyperpop was not something i expected and it
it's way more interesting than their, what, last three? albums to me, if nothing else? i did not like say so at all, land animal felt too restrained and never really did much for me, and i just wasn't a fan of the style on you know what they mean, but i sat straight through this one and generally enjoyed it the entire time? idk. it's not as good as shiny-eyed babies but that's an accomplishment they're never gonna match so whatever
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Frosting isn't terrible, but I'm finding it too inconsistent. There are some gems here and there (especially the last two tracks, although I really wish OMG had been longer and more developed - the first minute and a half is amazing but then it abruptly stops and turns into ambient noise). Quite a few of the songs, though, I find quite harsh and grating and unpleasant. Might partly be the production.
I don't mind too much as I wouldn't say I'm a massive fan anyway, just a shame as I though You Know What You Are was a return to form after the previous two and I like how they've continued the stylistic shift, just as an album it's not working for me.
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Just listening now, and, I don't know, I am liking it thus far.
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I'm finding Frosting spotty at best. But considering You Know What I Mean I felt somewhat similar about, I guess I'm not so surprised.
But if this is their new sound/approach, they may be going into Shark-Jumping territory with another record or 2 like this.
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next album is more likely to be a single, abstract 47 minute zeuhl/grindcore piece than a continuation of this sound, though i wouldn't complain if they did push further into pop either :P
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So I was walking through Allston, Massachusetts on my way to the Leprous/The Ocean show tonight and I happened to look through the window to a restaurant I was walking by and I just see Ben fucking Levin sitting in there. :rollin He was talking to some other people though so I wasn’t gonna go in there just to bother him. Still, what are the chances…
EDIT: He was at the show too! I spotted him by the door and got a fist bump on the way out. :lol
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Based
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Courtney put out another new solo album "Siliver Lining" yesterday.
https://courtneyswain.bandcamp.com/album/silver-lining
I'm thinking I already like this more than Frosting.
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some unfortunate news that I suppose can be taken with a grain of salt.
Ben Levin made a comment in this video from Adam Neely from the band Sungazer's adventures trying to avoid losing a lot of money on a brief West Coast tour last month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qXLYtvbIOg
Ben Levin
1 day ago
"Thank you for beautifully articulating what I’ve been feeling about touring for a while. I’m retiring from touring this year after over a decade of “just sleep in the van,” and I will miss the glory, but damn am I relieved at the thought of living a quieter life."
So at least for the unforseeable future, he and possibly the band are done doing extensive tours.
I totally follow why, especially after you watch that video from Adam Neely. I suppose I feel a little bad not going to see them last fall when they were in my home town. But I have seen Bent Knee a couple of times at least. Plus Frosting, like some of my earlier posts, really didn't do a ton for me.
But if they are done, it does feel like the end of an era. It does speak for those who do get to see them on their upcoming tour, they should feel fortunate it may be the final tour for the band.
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.
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Ben and Jess are leaving after their upcoming tour.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEN7Gor2s2/
bentkneemusic
Hello friends. Normally our social media is just a shameless outlet for promoting our tours and albums, but today we have an important announcement to bring you. Ben and Jess will be leaving the band after this summer. There is no animosity or ill-will involved. Everyone is still friends. The reason they’re leaving is as simple as a reason can be in such a case. Some of you reading this are touring musicians, but most of you aren’t. What those in the latter category might not know, is that sometimes touring really sucks. Don’t get us wrong, going on tour is also one of the most rewarding things a person can do, but it’s a hard life, and it can wear people down. After 10+ years of grinding it out on the road, Ben and Jess have made the very reasonable decision that they would prefer not to do it anymore. We will miss them greatly.
We want you all to know that even though Ben and Jessica will no longer be with us, the band will continue to tour and make albums nonetheless. The remaining four of us still believe we have something to say as Bent Knee. We look forward to seeing you in June and beyond.
-Bent Knee
PS If you want to see Ben and Jess play with Bent Knee one last time, please buy tickets to our upcoming tour! Looks like we still managed to stick a little shameless self-promotion in there after all :)
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New tune "Lawnmower"
https://open.spotify.com/track/3m87dstX68BIgalLDYgSyK