For anyone who didn't really like Failure as a song: It definitely works better in context with the album, coming down dynamically after the HUGE opening statement that is Truth+Stormbending.
Holy FUCK what an intro O_O
I'm one of those who doesn't understand this concept. I either like a song on its own or I don't. I liked "Failure" from the very first listen. I gave the album another listen last night, and it's just amazing from start to finish.
I agree about "Failure," but you really don't think album context can totally change a song? I mean, maybe you like listening to "Sister" on its own, but I'd say the Ocean Machine context completely and irrevocably alters the impression it leaves. I do agree to the extent that if it's a full, 'proper' song (like "Sister" is not), it shouldn't make a huge difference, but a difference should exist nonetheless. It can be an issue of masterful pacing – like the fact that "Bastard," a piece of brilliance alone, is surrounded by "Funeral" and "The Death of Music," and connected to them with perfect transitions to create a deep and engaging half hour of unforgettable context – or simply that an otherwise 'meh' piece of music is better when related to a song next to it in a sort of 'moon reflecting the sun's glow' way, like the underrated "Down and Under" following the majestic mountain "Canada." When we're talking about a guy who sequences albums to flow in specific ways that tell (what he sees as) a narrative, the context sometimes makes or breaks single songs (see "Divine").
Welp, you explained that WAY better than I ever could have.
But to put it a little simpler in regards to how
I feel about Failure specifically:
That intro riff just sounds more pleasing to the ear when it's coming off of the ending to Stormbending, and that cool dynamic instrumental section, in my opinion, is way better when heard 12 minutes and 28 seconds into the album as opposed to 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the song. In that
context, the flow of the music and the dynamics are just more satisfying to listen to.
I know that's kind of a silly way to look at music, but some of us are just wired differently.