Big Thief - U.F.O.F. (May 3, 2019)

being into UFOF but not "Not" is pretty understandable since there's a deliberate stylistic shift (though it's not completely left-field or anything - "Jenni" and "Contact" are more in line with "Not" than most of the album). i think "Not" is quite catchy, i like Adrienne's vocals a lot, the way it maintains a steady groove while still constantly shifting with the background guitar and other ambience etc., the fantastic solo that takes up the entire second half - i don't understand your complaints at all. i'm also confused by your dismissal of the second half of UFOF - "Strange" is the best song on it and "Jenni" and "Terminal Paradise" are especially fantastic too

what isn't reasonable is getting all confused why everyone likes it without even listening to the whole thing lol

I thought UFOF was a big grower anyway. Capacity was very immediate, but ultimately I've learnt not to judge a BT song from the first listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5VVK5OMMGg

one of the songs from the unlabelled single that went out recently is the title track from the new album and it's wonderful (the other is "love in mine", the japanese bonus track from UFOF)

Haven't really given them a proper chance yet, despite enjoying an odd track here and there, but this new song is incredible. Ordering U.F.O.F. as we speak and already excited for the upcoming one.

I like this a lot. A three-minute psych-rock guitar solo is p much what their music was always missing for me.

If only all of their songs were like that.

i could go on and on about any song but "strange" has that gorgeous sunlit coda

― american bradass (BradNelson), Tuesday, May 7, 2019 9:43 PM (three months ago)

This is currently my favorite part of U.F.O.F. Pure bliss

I like Cattails and love U.F.O.F. -- one of those songs you just play on repeat all morning and then it's in your head all day.

Oddly, turns out playing Cattails ten times a day also does that

"meteor shower at the motel" is such a good encapsulation

so good

i want to make a neil young and crazy horse comparison w/this new song but it's almost unfair to Lenker and co, there's such a singular focus to this particularly with regards to her vocals that is very much her own.

an artist like this releasing music of such a high quality with such frequency is to be treasured.

If only all of their songs were like that.

― pomenitul, Wednesday, August 14, 2019

my thinking too. I like the album but thought the music could've used more spaces for a guitar to interact with Linker, who sometimes shivers beneath the shawls of her vowels too much for my taste.

The way Linker sort of retreats into herself, right in front of everyone, is the best thing about this band when they're great, and the worst thing about this band when the songs are less distinctive.

It's Lenker, isn't it? Also, are we in the army or something? Why are we calling people by their last names?

why do we call people by first names?

She's not my friend.

My phone auto corrected her last name.

My deepest apologies.

*bows*

your phone is pretty narrow-minded.

I often bitch to it about its restaurant preferences

it's just getting back at you

They're a curious band to watch (based largely on their NPR Tiny Desk concert). The drummer/bassist look like they're mates letting the other two get on with it. I've never noticed any communication between AL and the guitarist. I've been trying to decide if there is any explanation for the guitarist.

I've never noticed any communication between AL and the guitarist.

i've been dying for pitchfork to release their footage of 'not' from pitchfork last year-- lenker and meek were basically singing it to each other and it was incredible

Ah, will look out for that. I don't know them well.

This one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YhTyNnr42A

yeah, that's the performance. the pitchfork stream had multi cameras so you could see the interaction between the two

Oh, that sounds cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGD-8f8Wn5M

I like that! Stoked for the new album, they're really treating us this year.

that's wonderful

Sounds like the new one will be a lot closer to the sound of Masterpiece, which I’m happy about. Glad they aren’t leaving the rock sound behind.

Revisiting Masterpiece and Capacity, which didn't really grab me the first time. Enjoying them better this time. Maybe the 2 new tracks have helped me appreciate their rock tunes more. Still, I prefer the pure weird folk of U.F.O.F., and hope that direction isn't just a one-off.

I get the feeling they're just getting warmed up

Yeah, I'm glad this new song is more single-y sounding. I hope they keep doing both the poppier stuff and the more abstract stuff.

Sadly, the singles (and Shoulders) are the best songs on this album. The rest are just ok i guess. Nothing special, much less rock-y as anticipated by many including myself.

i'm not sure it's quite as special as UFOF and "Not" is the clear standout but i'm still enjoying it a fair bit

y’all made me think it was friday

it's out there if you look for it

just heard Not, much prefer the first half to the wig-out (surprisingly?)

another amazing record imo

It's possible it took the last two albums to prepare me for this one, but this is their masterpiece.

I get the feeling they're just getting warmed up

― frame casual (dog latin), Thursday, 3 October 2019 13:45 (one week ago) link

Lenker is only like 28 years old -- I feel like her best could very much still be yet to come.

that said I just xp'd alfred and haven't listened to the one that dropped yet

Just bought the new one and am on the last song. It's great. Not is their best song.

Just bought it too, along with Richard Dawson (it's a good day for folk-rock!). Anyway, it's jaw dropping so far

Does Lenker play lead?

no one told me there's a white guy with cornrows in this band

would you like to walk some posts back

Heard “Not” when they released it last month and liked it a lot then, but it is on fire in the context of the record.

Does Lenker play lead?

― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, October 11, 2019 1:14 PM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink

I feel like I have seen videos where she does leads -- I think the really noisy/out ones are hers, not sure about others.

I just figured something out that was bugging me... so obv very different bands, but the repetitive drum beat/bass cadence of "Not" is TOTALLY Lungfish

this album is fantastic.

picked up the "desert peach" colored vinyl and it sounds great.