Seeds We Sow -- First Impressions

[Silver Springs]

Seeds We Sow - Already have/listened to this, and I love it. The melody and vocals, despite him probably not setting out for them to be so, I find quite haunting. And his fingering is excellent. I love it when a guitar is played in such a bare fashion that I can practically see and feel each movement and flick of his fingers over the string.

In Our Own Time - Oooo...Well the very light drum work in the background is quite dishy, isn't it! With this sort of song, sometimes I feel as though the vocals just don't quite match with the music. But the timing on this is splendid. And I do like the chorus because it almost feels more like a bridge, to me. It's hinted at without getting too bold, fitting well with the line "the implication of a crime". Because, as much as I love Lindsey, sometimes his chorus' are a crime lol. The final little guitar riff is certainly crazy, which I do love of Lindsey.

Illumination - Uhm. Well the start up isn't THAT promising. Kind of reminiscent of 80's Glam Rock. But the song gets better as it goes along, and I do like the fact that during the verses the guitar is barely audible, allowing the Drums a little limelight. Which does fit very well as I couldn't see a guitar working too well with the verse vocals unless he was going for almost a Kurt Cobain feel. Although the chorus isn't the BEST of the album, I'm still singing it to myself. So it's definitely catchy.

That's The Way That Love Goes - Aww. The opening guitar is very sweet, almost lullaby-ish. And that's how the song goes until the bridge and chorus, where it kicks up to a crazy level. I LOVE IT! It is reminiscent of the ambiguity and constantly shifting moods of love. He captures his contest in his music very well. The addition of bass in the background is a very welcome addition to detract from the slightly sickly feel of the guitar during the higher parts. TtWLG doesn't seem to be too popular amongst his fans, but you can certainly count me as a lover.

Stars Are Crazy - Can't say I'm a huge fan of the title. But let's get past my aversion to crassness lol. There's something slightly flamenco about his guitar playing on this track, which is kind of getting stuck in my teeth a little. This is an example of a problem Lindsey commonly has with his work. That his music overshadows his vocals. Maybe if the volume button could have been turned down a notch or two on the music before he sang, it would have been much more fitting. Having said that, all in all, the song is nice. Just not one of my absolute favourites. I get the feeling that if I sat down and read the lyrics properly, I may just appreciate them more than the song itself.

When She Comes Down - Starts a little like a song I would hear on the radio and then quickly change the station. I'm not a HUGE fan of the background music, but I am enjoying the lyrics and vocals. I hope he performs this live with just the guitar. Add that and the almost choir like addition for the chorus and it should be smashing. Just missing a little something, to me. But I still like it. Hang on.......actually.....As the song progresses....The music is growing on me. I'm singing along so that must count for something, haha! Would still love to hear an acoustic version, but not so bad.

Rock Away Blind - Muuuuch better intro. I can see his fingers moving again And I am very much enjoying his patented "vocal echo" over the top, as well as a slight hint of beat that I am tempted to accuse of being foot stamping. When he keeps music more simple without throwing too many concepts at it, he's at his best. Though adding a little more for the chorus does help to take the song over the edge into "Wowville".

One Take - Ooo...Starts very early rock and roller... I am finding it very difficult to write anything whilst moshing and headbvanging during this song. I love the speedy vocals during the verses...and then the chorus!!! Oh my.... My brain hurts from head banging so hard. I cannot top the description Michelej1 gave this song. So on the button! This is my favourite song of the album. I'm laughing like goofy, I'm enjoying it so much. Hang on.....Air Guitar time. Be right back.

Gone Too Far - Despite the beat, this song is incredibly soft. Again it suits his vocals very well. And again the addition of extra vocals in parts of the song work well to add a more vulnerable and open err to the song. He does sound very much like he's opening up his soul for us to have a peek around. Might need more than one track for that job though, lol.

End Of Time - I don't know why but I immediately picture a large, lush and green garden when I picture this song. Don't ask me. The verse vocals are nice, but I think they're topped by the higher chorus. Another song where I feel as though he's laying himself open completely. They do say that exposing weakness is the strongest thing you can do, and judging by the quality of this album they aren't wrong.

She Smiled Sweetly -Although I am a great fan of the demo, I've realised that I much prefer it in its most cultivated fashion. The demo sounded raw and primitive, which I loved for its own merit. But this version has the feeling of somebody singing their lover to sleep. It's so beyond sweet. I wonder if he ever played Kristen or one of the children to sleep with this.


I feel guilty about the fact that all I could think of while listening was "This albums kicks Stevie's arse". But it does. In Your Dreams pales compares to it. I'm sorry Stevie. I love you. But he's just.....better than you at music. This is definitely one of his best albums. Encroaching on a par with OoTC, but not quite. OoTC will always be the reigning King, I'm sure.

I'm going back for another listen

[MrStevie]

I don't know what I was expecting but I'm stunned speechless. Not in a bad way. I've listened to the whole album about 5 times. Some tracks I had to hear a couple more times. My thoughts and emotions are all over the map right now. I think I need to wait and sort everything out as the day goes on. So far my one word summation is fanfrickintastic!

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by michelej1

That's the Way Love Goes - I don't really like the helium voice, but at the end of this song it works with the way "it goes, it goes, it goes . . . " It's like the song is winding up to bat, just as it's ending. What are the lyrics? He went into her dungeon and saw her secret??

I know! Dungeon?? Is that what they call his studio?

When She Comes Down - I agree that this one has an almost gospel quality. Of course, the layered vocals does indeed make you think of harmonies past. If there's one song for which you call Christine up and ask her to join you, this would be that one. The song has a rise and swell that's so uplifting that I almost resent Lindsey coming in and breaking it up. When I read the lyrics posted, I thought "now she's falling" meant falling in love. But the way Lindsey delivers that line in a halting, discordant fashion, I now understand that he means she's falling down the stairs and breaking her neck! I'd prefer not to have the flow of the song interrupted. But it's quite beautiful.

LOL -- I like it when he says she's dancing although it would have been even better if he'd said "now she's twirling".

One Take - Incredible. This guy will not die. His guitar will catch fire during the guitar solo on this song and he'll ascend straight into heaven. Put a halo on it. Oh and the way he drops it down at the end, weakening as the middle class disappears . . . as a statement, I find it much more effective than Peacekeeper or WTWCT. THAT'S RIGHT.

I thought of Peacekeeper too. Love the last line.

Geez, all these soldier references. Maybe being in Fleetwood Mac is like being in the army...

She Smiled Sweetly - Don't like the vocals. At one point he gets so husky and breathy it sounds like a porn call.

This is a masterpiece. I'm not going to say it's my favorite, because I still like GOS, weigh them both in total, and GOS might win out for me. But the peaks on this album reach an almost spiritual level. Reaching up to the crazy stars.

Michele

I'm not sure -- I really love GOS. I'll have to listen a few more times. I'm severely disappointed in the recorded version of Stars Are Crazy. I loved the live version - he puts more emotion in it. It reminds me of Shut Us Down and Say Goodbye -- the recorded versions were faster and both were so much more effective live in my opinion. But, overall this album doesn't disturb me like GOS does either.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by CADreaming

I know! Dungeon?? Is that what they call his studio?

Does Stevie ever come to his studio?

Actually I think that Stevie has described the coffee plant like that, because they were there at night alone, when everyone else was gone. She said it was scary and they just locked themselves in one room.

Both Ooooh my Love 's castle walls and this dungeon remind me of the coffee plant.

I still like Stars, but I do think live was better. His wail just seemed to be crying out against the stars more in concert. Whereas it's a less emotional love song on the album.

Oh, so in which ways did GOS disturb you?

Michele

[Jondalar]

Gift of Screws and Under the Skin were nice pop excursions that I fealt were necessary for Lindsey to do, however, they never pulled me in. There is something so RIGHT about Seeds You Sow that has just pulled me in.

It's perfect. It feels somehow like it is my personal album. When I first heard the album, I thought ok where is the rock. I guess I wanted 70s rock. But after repeated listens I think this album is just genious. I love the fact the song lengths are all over the place and that this album has it's own sorta energy outside of 70s and 80s rock, which people try to imitate.

This album to me is Tusk Punk Pop. It's edgy, and the whole Disrupting Beauty theme is in there, but he did a much better job on the lyrics and melodies. The album does not feel as removed or filtered as other efforts.

If I could make a record, this is the type of record I would do. It's one of the best things he has ever done.