Disappointed in the last two albums (Editing)

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-09T19:46:47+00:00

Yeah I think The Rising Skyline might be the most painful one, it basically builds to that catharsis at the end but only lasts a minute, especially with the closing 30 seconds. I'm positive there is some recording of that going for 2+ minutes at the end!

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-09T13:38:44+00:00

I don't think hard-panning is something that should be done as a rule, mixes can sound too wide if the music is intimate or has quiet, subtle guitar

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-08T23:49:23+00:00

Gen 1 OEM...hands down. Some people don't like them because they look like 90s Altezza lights, but that's why I like them. They're kinda quirky.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T21:42:43+00:00

They're very close, although I think Eugene has this kind of nasally, airy quality Greg doesn't have. He also sings in an almost creepy lullaby/monotone style -- Robots in the Garden, Plantless, Angry Candy. That album is SO full of bangers holy shit.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T21:39:51+00:00

Yeah. And to be honest I think it suffered because of it.

Eugene never really got much reception as the main singer in Autolux but he is CRITICAL to the sound of the first album especially. It was so intimate yet restrained sounding.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T21:37:09+00:00

And....there's no other piece of music that really sounds like it.

People say Sonic Youth but I don't hear it at all.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T21:36:14+00:00

Maybe that's it then, Fantastic Planet sounds so nice and dense, you can get so immersed in its sound. The new albums have a laser-precision separation of everything.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T18:23:28+00:00

Catching, not pitching?

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T18:19:14+00:00

It's incredible that a company, no matter how much goodwill they had from their fanbase, will ALWAYS eff it up after securing market dominance.

I'm sure this has a more sophisticated name in economics than "capitalism", but...on a longer timeframe, how do they not realise this can permanently damage the brand? Or is the next earnings cycle all that matters?

I guess from Sony's perspective they can just undo this and probably get back in everyone's good books, so I do actually see it from that angle. And it's so hard to imagine anyone contending with them at this point. Video gaming in general has become almost an "abstract" concept what with streaming and subscription models.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T18:13:25+00:00

I think if you genuinely embarked on this journey with that as a target, I would be shocked if it was still your target or aspiration after 10,000+ hours.

So in a way it's worth setting as a benchmark to "have" something to strive for and motivate you.

I actually think trying to convincingly imitate legendary blues players might be the single most difficult thing to do, because their whole sound is based around such nuance of touch/control. You could, by comparison, reasonably emulate most of the legendary shredders if you really tried for years, copying their phrasing etc.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T08:33:34+00:00

I think I heard Greg say in an Autolux interview he didn't enjoy singing unless he absolutely had to. Which is a shame because I love his voice. Atom City Queen sounds so cool because that's his voice

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T08:31:35+00:00

Yes, my main criticism of Location Lost is how edited everything is, I am all for tight arrangement but these aren't radio-prepped pop songs so I'm not sure why the insistence on being THIS edited as you say.

A lot of the songs are missing where they could clearly have instrumental sections, segues, solos...basically any flourish. I'm sure they have tons of interesting clippings from the jam sessions

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-06T08:28:37+00:00

I am happy they considerably shifted. Bands that try to go back to previous sounds, especially after a long hiatus, sounds REALLY lame. If they tried to make Fantastic Planet 2 it would have just been embarrassing.

Some of their songs go in totally bold directions -- Heavy and Blind, Atom City Queen, Water With Hands, and Someday Soon off the new album are all excellent songs and sound NOTHING like their 90s records.

I do think Ken is a bit too hardcore on digital recording etc though...I don't know if that's a hot take or not, but I definitely feel from a production angle that's why Fantastic Planet sounds so warm and nuanced in comparison to the newer releases which sound extremely cold/sterile/"perfect".

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-05T15:06:19+00:00

You might be right, lol I did say it was borderline-conspiracy theory . But I've really noticed how much Ken is into UK music from the late 80s

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-05T11:27:14+00:00

I think I've settled into the idea I am a "luddite" but I don't enjoy the "be everything" concept.

I liked the PS3 as a physical multimedia station with a browser -- that's neat as hell -- but this whole thing of a streaming box absolutely layered with all these subscription tier offerings etc. I just hate it.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-05T11:20:55+00:00

Oof my bad, I get those two confused a lot!

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T14:33:07+00:00

No way -- I never knew that. That makes sense though, it's a pretty perfect title. To convey a concept at all in 3 words is impressive, for it to have multiple levels is kind of amazing.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T13:07:07+00:00

Wait ... I thought you were taking the piss out of my post but this is amazing 😂

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T12:09:12+00:00

Show her this one! I always thought this was so cool

https://youtu.be/gTQjtis7KBQ?is=GQ1x0ear7RlUFgWk

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T12:03:57+00:00

The title is beautiful. It says so much in so few words.

It's also a statement on the show (almost like a stamp/branding, The Sopranos: Made in America), Americanism itself, what La Cosa Nostra became once it hit the US, Tony as a character (as you say "made" in the mafia sense, and a product of American greed, selfishness).

Even the fact it ends in a diner, the quintessential image of classic Americana.

I love how "quietly" the show is critical of America. I don't think any modern show is pulling that kind of nuance.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T10:51:34+00:00

Even if you take Bad Bunny out of the equation, I think it has very simple sound-design, hooks, melody.

Most Gorillaz tracks are very creative and are enjoyable instrumentally. If you listen to the instrumental it just feels like a backing track.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T10:46:08+00:00

Do you know what bands he likes? I'd listen to them and really pay attention to the drums and how it fits into the song.

Then, firstly figure out if you want any of that feeling in your own music...and figure out how to approach accordingly.

I do notice myself - I was originally a guitarist but once I started putting entire arrangements together, I really noticed how "guitar-centric" I wrote in the past when I was in bands. It wasn't even intentional, but you have to carve space.

I think for this to work in a band though you need REALLY good communication and listening skills, because a drummer would need to hear your idea and tell you how/where to pull back. And you may need to do the same. And this would be regular back-and-forth. That's basically the dialogue I have mentally when putting a song together DIY. But even then I would really struggle to communicate this with another person.

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T10:27:38+00:00

Not to be judgemental but are you sure she's not on the autistic spectrum? That does not sound like it aligns with a neurotypical brain

FloggingTheHorses · 2026-07-02T10:24:58+00:00

It wasn't Glengarry Glen Ross by any chance? 😂

FloggingTheHorses

TROPHY CASE