January 30, 2008

New Islands - "The Arm"

Song's called "The Arm," the forthcoming album's called The Arm's Way (out 4/28 on Rough Trade) ... so you're entitled to think this is a look at the LP's sonic blueprint, then. The prevailing mood: Jubilation! Even though Diamond's singing about lifeless carcasses and car crashes and anxiety tapestries. All you need is jigging strings and rolling-tom beats and lots and lots of passages to turn that existential frown upside down.

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Posted at 3:11 PM

Comments (6) latest by marsh

Tags: Islands

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6 Comments

So... what... he, like, doesn't care about melodies any more?

This is a pretty good song, the overall sound of it is a pretty cool new direction, but Nicky D needs to stick to writing the awesome melodies I've come to love him for (for which I've come to love him? yeah).

This is what happened to the Shins. Wincing the night away was a beautifully textured sonic dreamscape... at the expense of Mercer's ridiculously good melodies (on most songs).

Do these artists think that this is the sound of maturation? Better sounding song =/= better song.

Posted by: C S at January 30, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply
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I think artists just move away from predictable pop melodies, which you seem to suggest are the ONLY good ones.

Not once while listening to 'The Arm' did I think it was melodically inferior to anything on Return to the Sea.

Posted by: jljames at January 30, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply
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I like this song a lot.

But goddammit...if "Paradise City" and "I Feel Evil (Creeping In)" aren't on this record I'll kill someone.

Posted by: Evan at January 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply
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this song seriously blew me away. i was kinda worried their new stuff wouldn't measure up after i heard joy, but i almost pooped my pants when i heard that intro! cant wait till april

Posted by: matt at January 31, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply
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Really nice.

I missed "Return to the Sea" the first time around. I suppose I should give it a listen.

Posted by: Andrew at January 31, 2008 2:59 AM | Reply
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sooo excited by the new album. andrew go get to listening. you'll be glad you did. the first track on that album blows me away each time

Posted by: marsh at January 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply
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