| Sunday, January 7, 2007 |
| Sorting through 8 O!G. bonus tracks: Switchfoot experimenting with electronica? |
Have any of you heard "The Shadow Proves The Sunshine [Alternate Version]" or "C'mon C'mon [remix]"? Both songs fall more under the electronica category than rock. The former is a gently groovy dancehall remix, while the latter is a gorgeous rendition of "C'mon C'mon" (better than the EP version). Its a bit reminiscent of U2 at the start, then sounds a bit like a Radiohead tribute until it begins to come to its own, unravelling the genius of a band at its peak - as an eerie, choir-y, decidedly atmospheric dose of poignant ear candy.
These songs, and "Burn Out Bright [acoustic]" which is stripped down naked and transformed into the polar opposite of its original - a calm, soothing, intimate version with melodies tweaked to give it a very honest feel - are both worthy additions to the album's 12 tracks, more so than any of the EP tracks, or even "Revenge" (well, maybe not "Revenge"), in my opinion. In short, they're really good. You CAN'T not hear the aforementioned tracks if you're a fan. You just can't, it'd be a crime.
Some of you will find it hard to digest TSPTS (alt. version), because the original is a deeply personal song for most of us, with its pleasurably dark vibe. Tip: don't expect it to outdo TSPTS, it doesn't attempt to. Try not to compare. They give the song a whole different treatment: a happier, dancey, lounge/electronica sound with gorgeous, spacey brushstrokes of guitar. Fans will have to let it grow on them, while those who haven't heard the original should take to it easily.
I've always wanted to see a Switchfoot song as an electronica remix. So its a dream come true, and even if its not the best remix ever, its certainly good for what its worth. I've always thought Jon's style of flowing, well-balanced and clean/clear vocal delivery would be a great fit on an ambient electronica soundscape. "Yesterdays" featured some Imogen Heap-styled production on parts of the vocals, and though it would be a mistake to call that electronica, it was perhaps an indication of a little sonic distraction for the band: because these two tracks come much closer - especially TSPTS (alt. version), which could very well be classified into the electronica genre. Good to see Switchfoot experimenting beyond organic sounds, I for one would be very interested in hearing some more electronica/industrial infused material from Switchfoot - even if in the form of a side project.
As for the other bonus tracks. I love "Revenge", but I couldn't care much for any of the others. "American Dream [acoustic]" and "Awakening [acoustic]" (Rhapsody exclusive - with harmonica, yes), both failed to impress me - when I have the original, I wouldn't be going back to listen to these acoustic versions because they don't bring anything new to the song, they don't even come anywhere close to the originals. Sorry but they just don't do it for me. I liked the acoustic radio performance of "American Dream" (which I'll upload as mp3 on here soon), but this one served as a bonus track, was lackluster. "C'mon C'mon [acoustic]" (Circuit City exclusive) isn't bad by any means, as it starts out really slow and climaxes well with forceful strumming of the acoustic to a refrain of "when everything's new" for the final 60 seconds of the 2:25-long song, but when you have two other versions of the song - one outstanding and one very good - why would you care too much for a merely decent third version? The only bonus track I haven't heard is the live bootlegged version of "Dirty Second Hands" available on iTunes. The song's duration is almost the same as the performance on CD USA, so I'm guessing its just an identical (or nearly so), better-quality (comparing with the 30-second clip) mp3 version of the same performance. In that case, it would be worth pursuing that track, too. The sad part is you can have it only if you buy the whole album on iTunes. I don't even have a credit card, so its out of the question, I'll have to be content with the mp3 of the CD USA performance (which I'll upload here tomorrow).
Interestingly, a couple fans I know think that the alternate version of TSPTS might not be made by Switchfoot, but may be Sony's doing, to sell more records - they think Switchfoot wouldn't do that to a song like TSPTS. Obviously they didn't like the remix much when I last spoke to them. Share your opinion below, if you've heard these songs. If you haven't heard them, the CD with "C'mon C'mon [remix]" and "Burn Out Bright [acoustic]" is available at Best Buy, and the one with the TSPTS (alt. version) is available at Wal-Mart (online, too). And you may download "Revenge" here, so long as you've bought the album.
Aren't we spoilt by Switchfoot? They've put out nearly 2 albums worth of material within about a year of releasing NIS. 12 tracks on the album + 8 bonus tracks + 3 EP tracks, including 3 entirely new songs (excluding remixes and acoustic remakes).Labels: excess opinion_analysis., rare songs and covers. |
posted by phil @ 2:55 AM  
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| 12 Comments: |
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I agree, we are spoiled, and it's great. My only concern is that a lot of the bonus material is going to get missed by the general non-fan or new-fan population and they will never see the range that Switchfoot seems to be expanding by the hour, instead hearing a clip of the nerve-jangling Oh! Gravity single and never being blessed to hear the very Nick Drake-like BOB acoustic.
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oh man it is very Nick Drake-like, come to think of it.
and you're right, its a pity these tracks are destined to be obscure gems.
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let me tell you, the burn out bright acoustic IS absolutely amazing. i couldnt believe how much i loved it, because i wasnt a huge fan of burn out bright in the first place, but the acoustic really made me love the song.
too bad my cactus doesnt grow money, or else i'd be buying each of the cds from everywhere to get the bonus tracks i dont have.
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yeah, I'm dying to hear all of these, too, but besides not being able to keep track of it all, I just don't have the money to be buying so many cds just for one song here or there. I'd kill to hear BOB. At least with this post, though, I at least have a tally of the songs I can't hear. :o)
Also, I know that there are a couple of [amateur] acoustic clips of LYLBS out there (I, myself, took one at the concert that I went to in the fall), but i wonder why they don't release one officially? It's great on the CD, but it's so beautiful when it's just jon and the guitar. The melody is so perfect that it's strong on its own. I'm so in love with this song. I'm starting to think it's one of the best songs ever written. Not just SF, but ever. I know that's just personal opinion, I'm just sayin.
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^i totally agree with heather about lylbs. it's beautiful with just jon and the guitar. when he played it for us in that coffee shop, it almost brought tears to my eyes.
"a couple fans I know think that the alternate version of TSPTS might not be made by Switchfoot." Whoever those fans are, i agree with them...hehe ;)
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I want/need BOB and Cmon Cmon. Yeahhh I can't wait to hear em. TSPTS is pretty cool but the original is definelty better.
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Until we get a real one without all the cheering, here's my video of lylbs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlwvclC3e9g
:o)
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I'm sorry Phil, I just don't like TSPTS remix, and I probably never will. I've tried, I just can't get used to it.
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So, I have a question. When you buy Oh gravity, you get a free bonus track to download right?
and there's like 8 different ones depending on where you buy your cd?
cause when I got mine from Target, All i got was the American Drea Acoustic version.
and then I come on here and find out there's 8?!
can I get the other 7..I mean 6 ( cause I just got revenge, soo awesome!)
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hey Melissa, yes, the free bonus track that you get to download is "Revenge". And yeah, there's 6 more tracks you don't have, available at 5 different places (that I've mentioned). If you were to buy one more copy, I'd recommend the BestBuy version because it comes with the 2 best bonus tracks (apart from Revenge) in my opinion: C'mon C'mon [remix] and Burn Out Bright [acoustic]. The rest of the bonus tracks aren't anything special, though the electronic remix of Shadow Proves The Sunshine (available at Rhapsody) is interesting.
I can't post the tracks here because it would be illegal to do so when they're available at stores. But in the future, if any store discontinues offering any bonus track, I'll put it up for download here.
And in case you're wondering, its not the band's intention to have fans buy many copies so they can get all the bonus tracks - but this is the label's doing. While part of the label's intention might be to get hardcore fans to buy many copies, its basically to give people more reasons to buy the record, and to give these stores more reasons to push the record.
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You're funny how you do posts at 3am. Hah.
Anyways I can't decide between the two versions of C'mon (original from EP, and the remix)... They're both great and have their differences. I like the beginning and ending of the EP better but the extra "eerie, chioir-y" vocals and electronica added to the remix is fun to listen to.
I agree with you on American Dream acoustic and Awakening acoustic.
Burn Out Bright acoustic is incredible, glad I've got it and Revenge, on the same hand, speaks for itself <3
I haven't heard the bootleg DSH yet either...hope to, though, sometime.
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I agree, we are spoiled, and it's great. My only concern is that a lot of the bonus material is going to get missed by the general non-fan or new-fan population and they will never see the range that Switchfoot seems to be expanding by the hour, instead hearing a clip of the nerve-jangling Oh! Gravity single and never being blessed to hear the very Nick Drake-like BOB acoustic.