Come down now, they'll say
November 10, 2006 12:55 PM Subscribe
Such Great Heights performed by Ben Folds with a piano and unusual percussions.
Probably everyone already knows the original and the Iron&Wine's cover, but have you ever listened the live cover by the Dresden Dolls (mp3 link)?
Probably everyone already knows the original and the Iron&Wine's cover, but have you ever listened the live cover by the Dresden Dolls (mp3 link)?
Is this what the kids call emo? Serious question. [/oldster]
P.S. The Ben Folds version is pretty great. Nice post.
posted by The Bellman at 1:07 PM on November 10, 2006
P.S. The Ben Folds version is pretty great. Nice post.
posted by The Bellman at 1:07 PM on November 10, 2006
It's funny, I love the song and I love Ben Folds, but I'm pretty unimpressed with his version.
It's just lacking that Ben Folds je ne sais quoi, you know?
posted by sayitwithpie at 1:11 PM on November 10, 2006
It's just lacking that Ben Folds je ne sais quoi, you know?
posted by sayitwithpie at 1:11 PM on November 10, 2006
emo.
now let's all go meet at the nearest Hot Topic and cut ourselves while reading our bad poetry to each other.
Seriously, though. I love Ben Fold's version of this song. Hell, I love just about everything I've heard from Ben Folds.
posted by lyam at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2006
now let's all go meet at the nearest Hot Topic and cut ourselves while reading our bad poetry to each other.
Seriously, though. I love Ben Fold's version of this song. Hell, I love just about everything I've heard from Ben Folds.
posted by lyam at 1:15 PM on November 10, 2006
Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /mp3/Covers/The_Dresden_Dolls-Such_Great_Heights_(2004-11-05_Chicago).mp3 on this server.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
posted by bshort at 1:18 PM on November 10, 2006
You don't have permission to access /mp3/Covers/The_Dresden_Dolls-Such_Great_Heights_(2004-11-05_Chicago).mp3 on this server.
Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
posted by bshort at 1:18 PM on November 10, 2006
They're blocking remote hotlinking, so once you get that error, you need to select what's in the address bar and press enter.
posted by smackfu at 1:26 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by smackfu at 1:26 PM on November 10, 2006
The Ben Folds version of Such Great Heights rocks my argyle socks.
posted by psergio at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by psergio at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2006
Dresden Dolls is not emo. Dresden Dolls are their own thing.
Obligatory Youtube link
posted by felix at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2006
Obligatory Youtube link
posted by felix at 1:29 PM on November 10, 2006
The Dresden Dolls version is pretty damn boring. Maybe it's better in person.
posted by smackfu at 1:31 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by smackfu at 1:31 PM on November 10, 2006
The Bellman: Ben Folds is not emo. Hope is Emo.
bshort: don't know, works fine for me.
posted by darkripper at 1:32 PM on November 10, 2006
bshort: don't know, works fine for me.
posted by darkripper at 1:32 PM on November 10, 2006
The whole "it's emo/it's not emo" debate in music these days is tiring, especially since "emo" as a genre is so freakin' wide-ranging. I mean, music that's "emotional" doesn't really narrow it down, you know? Besides, most people think Fugazi was one of, if not the, original emo band, and they're pretty badass in my books.
I love The Dresden Dolls. Both of their LPs are fantastic.
posted by The God Complex at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2006
I love The Dresden Dolls. Both of their LPs are fantastic.
posted by The God Complex at 1:46 PM on November 10, 2006
[resists hankering for a slow motion anthropomorphic M&M]
posted by Oddly at 1:48 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by Oddly at 1:48 PM on November 10, 2006
Darkripper: I know Ben Folds is not emo, but is the U.S. Postal Service (or whatever), which wrote the original?
posted by The Bellman at 2:02 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by The Bellman at 2:02 PM on November 10, 2006
Iron and Wine's version is far superior to them all including the original. Sam Beam could sing the names out of the phone book while strumming his guitar and would sound amazing.
posted by photoslob at 2:08 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by photoslob at 2:08 PM on November 10, 2006
What the heck is Emo anyway??
None of the bands listed are emo. Emo started out meaning a very specific sound and didn't just mean "emotional". Yeah, its kind of a crappy name, but thats just how naming genres works out.
You could say bands like Dashboard Confessional or Thursday are "post-emo", or maybe "mtv emo". Older bands from the 90s like Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral were much better bands from this genre, IMO, and are still worth listening to.
Now I'm sure someone will one-up me and say "thats not emo, Rites of Spring and Lifetime are _true_ emo"...
posted by rsanheim at 2:10 PM on November 10, 2006
None of the bands listed are emo. Emo started out meaning a very specific sound and didn't just mean "emotional". Yeah, its kind of a crappy name, but thats just how naming genres works out.
You could say bands like Dashboard Confessional or Thursday are "post-emo", or maybe "mtv emo". Older bands from the 90s like Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral were much better bands from this genre, IMO, and are still worth listening to.
Now I'm sure someone will one-up me and say "thats not emo, Rites of Spring and Lifetime are _true_ emo"...
posted by rsanheim at 2:10 PM on November 10, 2006
Bellman: No, postal service is just indie rock or indie pop or whatever. See also Ben Gibbard's "main" band Death Cab for Cutie, who are pretty much the same genre but without keyboards and synths.
posted by rsanheim at 2:11 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by rsanheim at 2:11 PM on November 10, 2006
Pffft, emo....
This is what you do to emo....
*ok sorry, total derail*
posted by elendil71 at 2:12 PM on November 10, 2006
This is what you do to emo....
*ok sorry, total derail*
posted by elendil71 at 2:12 PM on November 10, 2006
For those not yet introduced to the Dresden Dolls, another good one link youtube piece.
posted by felix at 2:13 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by felix at 2:13 PM on November 10, 2006
Great, thanks. I love how, in the Dresden Dolls performance, the cheers of recognition make immediately clear that it's an American audience. The Ben Folds one is stellar.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:18 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:18 PM on November 10, 2006
Iron and Wine's version is far superior to them all including the original.
If by superior, you mean inferior, than yes.
the U.S. Postal Service
ha ha, I admit I hadn't heard of them until a year ago, but that's so what a grandfather would call them:
"you kids turn down that damn US Postal Office Music!"
quick rule of thumb for life in general: the one Zack Braff picked for his soundtrack is the shittier version.
posted by drjimmy11 at 2:20 PM on November 10, 2006
Oh and Postal Service is not emo, it's properly filed under indie electro singer/songwriter glitch 8-bit drum&bass twee pop.
Or under "P".
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:20 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
Or under "P".
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:20 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
Also, as a recording PC musician, I am geekily convinced that you can hear a hard drive spinning in the background of Iron & Wine's version.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:21 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:21 PM on November 10, 2006
emo was taking hardcore and adding emotional lyrics to it, thus why it was started in the DC scene. it was originally called "emotional hardcore" and then shorten to "emo" later.
And then it became popular and was co-opted by focus groups and parents and labeled as something "non-threatening". Kinda like what religous groups did to Straight Edge.
Current emo is pretty bland and it's now considered a band genre to be in unless you like hanging around 14 year old suburban high school girls. The current emo scene is dominated with the fastistas who tried to make punk rock pretty but are too scared to move out of their parents homes or lose their trust funds. You find these kinds of kids posting on live journal, wearing blazers, and paying 80 dollars for a pair of Chucks.
I wouldn't label postal service, ben folds, dresdon dolls etc etc, as emo because they haven't co-opted the punk sound. I like the name I heard in an ask.me thread that labeled it as "Garden Statecore". if someone doesn't know that movie, I call the grene college alt rock/pop.
posted by Stynxno at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2006
And then it became popular and was co-opted by focus groups and parents and labeled as something "non-threatening". Kinda like what religous groups did to Straight Edge.
Current emo is pretty bland and it's now considered a band genre to be in unless you like hanging around 14 year old suburban high school girls. The current emo scene is dominated with the fastistas who tried to make punk rock pretty but are too scared to move out of their parents homes or lose their trust funds. You find these kinds of kids posting on live journal, wearing blazers, and paying 80 dollars for a pair of Chucks.
I wouldn't label postal service, ben folds, dresdon dolls etc etc, as emo because they haven't co-opted the punk sound. I like the name I heard in an ask.me thread that labeled it as "Garden Statecore". if someone doesn't know that movie, I call the grene college alt rock/pop.
posted by Stynxno at 2:22 PM on November 10, 2006
You kids today with your hair and you clothes... Get off my lawn!
posted by The Bellman at 2:28 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by The Bellman at 2:28 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
It's a choose your comment adventure!
A) Third generation of whippersnappers in a row claim to have invented punk rock.
~or~
B) Declawing cats.
Fat people.
Abortion.
Bicycles.
Emo.
posted by loquacious at 2:30 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
A) Third generation of whippersnappers in a row claim to have invented punk rock.
~or~
B) Declawing cats.
Fat people.
Abortion.
Bicycles.
Emo.
posted by loquacious at 2:30 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
It seems that everyone likes that Iron & Wine cover except for me. *shrug*
That ben folds version was pretty good though, except the macarena part. I don't know what the hell that was about.
posted by bob sarabia at 2:48 PM on November 10, 2006
That ben folds version was pretty good though, except the macarena part. I don't know what the hell that was about.
posted by bob sarabia at 2:48 PM on November 10, 2006
quick rule of thumb for life in general: the one Zack Braff picked for his soundtrack is the shittier version.
Are you seriously proposing that the whiny-assed mawkish Ben Gibbard did a song better than Iron & Wine?
Sir!!!
posted by xmutex at 2:49 PM on November 10, 2006
Are you seriously proposing that the whiny-assed mawkish Ben Gibbard did a song better than Iron & Wine?
Sir!!!
posted by xmutex at 2:49 PM on November 10, 2006
Iron and Wine's version is far superior to them all including the original.
Bah. Sam's got a wonderful sound, and I really like the albums I've heard, but his cover is just sedate. It's nice. It's very nice, is what it is.
The original is a much more interesting concoction, and much better matched between tone and lyrics.
posted by cortex at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2006
Bah. Sam's got a wonderful sound, and I really like the albums I've heard, but his cover is just sedate. It's nice. It's very nice, is what it is.
The original is a much more interesting concoction, and much better matched between tone and lyrics.
posted by cortex at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2006
Travis Morrison, former front man for The Dismemberment Plan (RIP), frequently stuck bits of Such Great Heights into the extended break down of performances of OK Joke's Over. In fact, strange as it seems to me now, such a performance was actually the first place I heard Such Great Heights in any form.
posted by sparkletone at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by sparkletone at 2:51 PM on November 10, 2006
you need to select what's in the address bar and press enter.
How to download?
posted by StickyCarpet at 2:56 PM on November 10, 2006
How to download?
posted by StickyCarpet at 2:56 PM on November 10, 2006
Also, it sounds, upon listenening, like the Dresden Dolls are really covering the Iron & Wine cover. There's some really nice tension in the original's harmonizations that Sam elected to simplify for his version, and the DD cover reflects those changes almost to the note.
posted by cortex at 2:57 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by cortex at 2:57 PM on November 10, 2006
Dear AskMe:
My obese, circumcised, declawed, SUV-driving, gay, racist cat has to get an abortion. This has left me depressed. What emo tunes would you say best express my feelings?
posted by The Bellman at 2:58 PM on November 10, 2006
My obese, circumcised, declawed, SUV-driving, gay, racist cat has to get an abortion. This has left me depressed. What emo tunes would you say best express my feelings?
posted by The Bellman at 2:58 PM on November 10, 2006
The Dresden Dolls hate labels, so they made up their own ("Brechtian punk cabaret").
Nah, this isn't exactly emo (any of it) but there's a certain overlap with emo fans. Now, I like the song, I like the Dolls, but I don't like the (posted) cover, fwtw. For that matter, I don't enjoy any of their covers nearly as much as their original work, like "Girl Anachronism", or "Missed Me".
The Folds version is fun, and I don't mind the uptempo approach, but without any sort of pause between lines or stanzas it ends up feeling rushed.
"Garden Statecore". Heh.
posted by dhartung at 3:17 PM on November 10, 2006
Nah, this isn't exactly emo (any of it) but there's a certain overlap with emo fans. Now, I like the song, I like the Dolls, but I don't like the (posted) cover, fwtw. For that matter, I don't enjoy any of their covers nearly as much as their original work, like "Girl Anachronism", or "Missed Me".
The Folds version is fun, and I don't mind the uptempo approach, but without any sort of pause between lines or stanzas it ends up feeling rushed.
"Garden Statecore". Heh.
posted by dhartung at 3:17 PM on November 10, 2006
Emo used to not be a bad word.
/sheds single, dramatic tear for Rites of Spring, Braid, Jawbox, Cap'n Jazz, and others
posted by bardic at 3:20 PM on November 10, 2006
/sheds single, dramatic tear for Rites of Spring, Braid, Jawbox, Cap'n Jazz, and others
posted by bardic at 3:20 PM on November 10, 2006
Not one of the bands involved in this thread is remotely "emo", unless of course, that genre encompasses any song or band who has ever written a song that had something to do with emotions. In that case, all of these bands are emo.
& I adore Ben Folds (and everything Ben Gibbard does except Plans, which was awful), but Folds' version isn't that great. Unfortunately, much of what Ben Folds does these days isn't that great. Also, the Dresden Dolls have a few really good songs, but this cover is not one of them.
But the Iron & Wine version is amazing (Sam Beam has never disappointed me) as is their cover of The Flaming Lips' "Waitin' For a Superman."
What is also amazing is Ben Gibbard's many live covers of Avril Lavigne's "Complicated." It's mostly the crowd reaction in those cases, though.
posted by eunoia at 3:44 PM on November 10, 2006
& I adore Ben Folds (and everything Ben Gibbard does except Plans, which was awful), but Folds' version isn't that great. Unfortunately, much of what Ben Folds does these days isn't that great. Also, the Dresden Dolls have a few really good songs, but this cover is not one of them.
But the Iron & Wine version is amazing (Sam Beam has never disappointed me) as is their cover of The Flaming Lips' "Waitin' For a Superman."
What is also amazing is Ben Gibbard's many live covers of Avril Lavigne's "Complicated." It's mostly the crowd reaction in those cases, though.
posted by eunoia at 3:44 PM on November 10, 2006
Emo used to not be a bad word.
/sheds single, dramatic tear for Rites of Spring, Braid, Jawbox, Cap'n Jazz, and others
There seems to be two gerenations of Emo. I think the split happened when Jimmy Eat World released their shitty "Bleed American" (later renamed "Jimmy Eat World" because it dropped on 9/11). After that, the term became mainstream and an insult.
I recently saw a post about Guitar Hero II on a gaming board that referred to Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized" as emo. I L'edOL on that one.
(and to add to your list bardic - Far, Jawbreaker and The Promise Ring)
And with the argument about the Iron and Wine version vs the original, I like them both. Iron and Wine because of Sam Beam's voice and the original because of DNTEL's music. The linked Ben Folds version is unlistenable.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:44 PM on November 10, 2006
/sheds single, dramatic tear for Rites of Spring, Braid, Jawbox, Cap'n Jazz, and others
There seems to be two gerenations of Emo. I think the split happened when Jimmy Eat World released their shitty "Bleed American" (later renamed "Jimmy Eat World" because it dropped on 9/11). After that, the term became mainstream and an insult.
I recently saw a post about Guitar Hero II on a gaming board that referred to Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized" as emo. I L'edOL on that one.
(and to add to your list bardic - Far, Jawbreaker and The Promise Ring)
And with the argument about the Iron and Wine version vs the original, I like them both. Iron and Wine because of Sam Beam's voice and the original because of DNTEL's music. The linked Ben Folds version is unlistenable.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:44 PM on November 10, 2006
But the Iron & Wine version is amazing (Sam Beam has never disappointed me) as is their cover of The Flaming Lips' "Waitin' For a Superman."
As is their cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes" which gives the Poi Dog Pondering cover a run for its money.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:45 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
As is their cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes" which gives the Poi Dog Pondering cover a run for its money.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:45 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
I used to think I didn't like Ben Folds. Now I know I pretty much despise him.
A ghastly cover of a terrible song. Sorry.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 4:02 PM on November 10, 2006
A ghastly cover of a terrible song. Sorry.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 4:02 PM on November 10, 2006
Download links:
Iron and Wine
Ben Folds
Original from PostalService
...you need to select what's in the address bar and press enter.
How to download?
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
posted by forwebsites at 4:05 PM on November 10, 2006
Iron and Wine
Ben Folds
Original from PostalService
...you need to select what's in the address bar and press enter.
How to download?
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
posted by forwebsites at 4:05 PM on November 10, 2006
quick rule of thumb for life in general: the one Zack Braff picked for his soundtrack is the shittier version.
dr jimmy - you have made life much simpler for us all - i couldn't agree more
love the Postal Service original, can barely listen to the Iron & Whine version
the Ben Folds version is a great example of what happens when a singer doesn't know a song, doesn't know when to breath or how to approach it, it has some of the spunk of the original...but hardly a great version
so many covers of good songs are either pale imitations (ben folds) or ghastly "reinterpretations" (iron and whine), rarely do they add much since good songs usually hit it on the head the first time or they wouldn't be good
about the only "great cover" i can think of that clearly added another level to a song is Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies
posted by django_z at 4:05 PM on November 10, 2006
dr jimmy - you have made life much simpler for us all - i couldn't agree more
love the Postal Service original, can barely listen to the Iron & Whine version
the Ben Folds version is a great example of what happens when a singer doesn't know a song, doesn't know when to breath or how to approach it, it has some of the spunk of the original...but hardly a great version
so many covers of good songs are either pale imitations (ben folds) or ghastly "reinterpretations" (iron and whine), rarely do they add much since good songs usually hit it on the head the first time or they wouldn't be good
about the only "great cover" i can think of that clearly added another level to a song is Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies
posted by django_z at 4:05 PM on November 10, 2006
I have to agree, Iron and Wine win.
Since we're talking about Postal Service covers, I have to say The Shins cover of We Will Become Shillouettes is the only good song on the Believer all-covers CD from last year.
posted by absalom at 4:09 PM on November 10, 2006
Since we're talking about Postal Service covers, I have to say The Shins cover of We Will Become Shillouettes is the only good song on the Believer all-covers CD from last year.
posted by absalom at 4:09 PM on November 10, 2006
I mean, I had to start Download accelerator for the Dresden Dolls link in FPP since I too was unable to download it directly, but it was playable in browser. The mp3 download links I gave above are all valid and you can simply right-click and "Save As" from your browser.
posted by forwebsites at 4:10 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by forwebsites at 4:10 PM on November 10, 2006
I had a huge fight with a gf shortly before we broke up about her love for Ben Folds. I guess that's emo or symbolic or something.
But then he went and recorded that awesome album with Shatner, so I guess I have to give him some credit.
But I mean, even something catch like "Rockin' the Suburbs" is pretty much Weird Al territory. And I like Weird Al, but not people who try to rip him off.
posted by bardic at 4:19 PM on November 10, 2006
But then he went and recorded that awesome album with Shatner, so I guess I have to give him some credit.
But I mean, even something catch like "Rockin' the Suburbs" is pretty much Weird Al territory. And I like Weird Al, but not people who try to rip him off.
posted by bardic at 4:19 PM on November 10, 2006
The original's the best. That said it pales in comparison to the better Postal Service songs (Nothing Better, The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, or the Dream of Evan & Chan if you can count that).
Ben Folds' version: Not terrible, but not great either. Kinda misses the point. I want Ben Folds Five back.
Iron & Wine's version: I love Iron & Wine, but his cover is just so boring. It's like a parody of Iron & Wine. "Iron & Wine songs are all the same slow boring crap, here watch, I'll show you how easy it is to write an Iron & Wine version of a song".
Dresden Dolls' version: If there was any life left in the song after Iron & Wine, this version sucks it all out.
absalom: Agreed on the Shins cover.
posted by teem at 4:23 PM on November 10, 2006
Ben Folds' version: Not terrible, but not great either. Kinda misses the point. I want Ben Folds Five back.
Iron & Wine's version: I love Iron & Wine, but his cover is just so boring. It's like a parody of Iron & Wine. "Iron & Wine songs are all the same slow boring crap, here watch, I'll show you how easy it is to write an Iron & Wine version of a song".
Dresden Dolls' version: If there was any life left in the song after Iron & Wine, this version sucks it all out.
absalom: Agreed on the Shins cover.
posted by teem at 4:23 PM on November 10, 2006
The Ben Folds version is fun to watch, but I wouldn't want to just listen to it.
posted by padraigin at 4:25 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by padraigin at 4:25 PM on November 10, 2006
Ben Folds brought Weird Al in to sing backup on his most recent album.
The dude Ben Folds tapped to open up for him on this tour is pretty bizarre. I'm going to see the show up in Chestertown, MD on the 18th.
Anyone else going? Anyone want my second ticket?
posted by emelenjr at 4:28 PM on November 10, 2006
The dude Ben Folds tapped to open up for him on this tour is pretty bizarre. I'm going to see the show up in Chestertown, MD on the 18th.
Anyone else going? Anyone want my second ticket?
posted by emelenjr at 4:28 PM on November 10, 2006
<old man tangent>
I'm totally with rsanheim and bardic -- emo used to mean bands like Open Hand, Garrison, and Samiam (the last of which I suppose is the closest to the "emotional" label). Hell, what made Garrison emo was their entire album chronicled every stage of premeditated murder.
If you two are ever in my area (SF Bay Area), we should hit a bar and complain about kids these days.
</old man tangent>
On preview, also what eyeballkid said.
posted by spiderskull at 4:32 PM on November 10, 2006
I'm totally with rsanheim and bardic -- emo used to mean bands like Open Hand, Garrison, and Samiam (the last of which I suppose is the closest to the "emotional" label). Hell, what made Garrison emo was their entire album chronicled every stage of premeditated murder.
If you two are ever in my area (SF Bay Area), we should hit a bar and complain about kids these days.
</old man tangent>
On preview, also what eyeballkid said.
posted by spiderskull at 4:32 PM on November 10, 2006
Oh, and I almost forgot to add Longfellow and some other borderline post-punk groups.
posted by spiderskull at 4:34 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by spiderskull at 4:34 PM on November 10, 2006
But I mean, even something catch like "Rockin' the Suburbs" is pretty much Weird Al territory. And I like Weird Al, but not people who try to rip him off.
Note: Weird Al actually directed the video for that song, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were in some sort of cahoots prior to the video shoot as well.
As for the song, it was a response* to Jonathan from KoRn dissing them in an issue of Spin magazine.
*I knew this, but couldn't remember the band who dissed 'em; found the answer on everything2 and not wikipedia as one might expect. Take that, Britannica and Wikipedia!
posted by davejay at 4:35 PM on November 10, 2006
Note: Weird Al actually directed the video for that song, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were in some sort of cahoots prior to the video shoot as well.
As for the song, it was a response* to Jonathan from KoRn dissing them in an issue of Spin magazine.
*I knew this, but couldn't remember the band who dissed 'em; found the answer on everything2 and not wikipedia as one might expect. Take that, Britannica and Wikipedia!
posted by davejay at 4:35 PM on November 10, 2006
Er, "dissing them" meaning "dissing Ben Folds Five"
posted by davejay at 4:35 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by davejay at 4:35 PM on November 10, 2006
I love the original but in my opinion the only cover version of it that is remotely interesting is Rilo Kiley's.
posted by snownoid at 4:39 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by snownoid at 4:39 PM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]
forwebsites, thanks for the downloadable links!
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:04 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:04 PM on November 10, 2006
"Iron & Wine songs are all the same slow boring crap, here watch, I'll show you how easy it is to write an Iron & Wine version of a song".
I really like Iron & Wine. That being said, for a shining example of a "look, we have a formula, look how easy it is hahaha" song: There is a Postal Service remix of a song by Leslie Feist called "Mushaboom", and despite liking Ms Feist (she is so cute, you see) and having enjoyed the Postal Service for a while, it just feels like this ridiculous self-parody by the Postal Service.
I also have a recording (physical or digital) of basically everything the Dresden Dolls have ever done. I could go on for hours in this thread, but I won't. Fun post, though. And I didn't know about the Rilo Kiley cover. And... well, yeah. I'll be quiet now.
posted by blacklite at 5:21 PM on November 10, 2006
I really like Iron & Wine. That being said, for a shining example of a "look, we have a formula, look how easy it is hahaha" song: There is a Postal Service remix of a song by Leslie Feist called "Mushaboom", and despite liking Ms Feist (she is so cute, you see) and having enjoyed the Postal Service for a while, it just feels like this ridiculous self-parody by the Postal Service.
I also have a recording (physical or digital) of basically everything the Dresden Dolls have ever done. I could go on for hours in this thread, but I won't. Fun post, though. And I didn't know about the Rilo Kiley cover. And... well, yeah. I'll be quiet now.
posted by blacklite at 5:21 PM on November 10, 2006
There seems to be two gerenations of Emo. I think the split happened when Jimmy Eat World released their shitty "Bleed American" (later renamed "Jimmy Eat World" because it dropped on 9/11). After that, the term became mainstream and an insult.
9-11 Changed Everything!!!11! Nevar Forget!1one!
posted by Ufez Jones at 5:22 PM on November 10, 2006
9-11 Changed Everything!!!11! Nevar Forget!1one!
posted by Ufez Jones at 5:22 PM on November 10, 2006
If you had to narrow it down to one song to represent "emo" for the layperson, I'd choose this.
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:24 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:24 PM on November 10, 2006
Wow. Just a couple days ago, I went on a rant to a co-worker about how I absolutely despise this wispy little song and can't seem to avoid it no matter what I do. Apologies.
I'd rather listen to Daniel Johnston.
posted by toma at 5:30 PM on November 10, 2006
I'd rather listen to Daniel Johnston.
posted by toma at 5:30 PM on November 10, 2006
narrow it down to one song to represent "emo"
When I bulk download miscellaneous music, I have a sure-fire way to weed out the pile. I delete any song the instant I hear a warbly portimento in the vocals, such as in the song you just linked, Mach3avelli.
Why would anyone want to sing like that?
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:34 PM on November 10, 2006
When I bulk download miscellaneous music, I have a sure-fire way to weed out the pile. I delete any song the instant I hear a warbly portimento in the vocals, such as in the song you just linked, Mach3avelli.
Why would anyone want to sing like that?
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:34 PM on November 10, 2006
portamento
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:41 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:41 PM on November 10, 2006
django_z : the Ben Folds version is a great example of what happens when a singer doesn't know a song, doesn't know when to breath or how to approach it, it has some of the spunk of the original...but hardly a great version
I think the "doesn't know when to breathe" comment is a little misplaced here - in the original, Ben Gibbard is clearly exploiting some editing magic in that he is still "singing" the end of one line as he starts the next, through the wonder of multitrack recording. Ben Folds, however, is trying to recreate the phrasing live and guess what? It doesn't quite "sound right".
That said, I quite like the Ben Folds version but find the Iron & Wine version kind of annoying.
Props on the Cowboy Junkies "Sweet Jane" ref tho.
posted by kcds at 6:19 PM on November 10, 2006
I think the "doesn't know when to breathe" comment is a little misplaced here - in the original, Ben Gibbard is clearly exploiting some editing magic in that he is still "singing" the end of one line as he starts the next, through the wonder of multitrack recording. Ben Folds, however, is trying to recreate the phrasing live and guess what? It doesn't quite "sound right".
That said, I quite like the Ben Folds version but find the Iron & Wine version kind of annoying.
Props on the Cowboy Junkies "Sweet Jane" ref tho.
posted by kcds at 6:19 PM on November 10, 2006
Other than being at Ben Folds' strained upper range and his inability to handle catching breaths at a few places...
posted by spock at 6:42 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by spock at 6:42 PM on November 10, 2006
Dashboard Confessional's horrible song "Screaming Infidelities". That's what emo is to me, and that's why I like it.
It's not emotional - it's whiny. There's a difference.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:03 PM on November 10, 2006
It's not emotional - it's whiny. There's a difference.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:03 PM on November 10, 2006
err - why I don't like emo. sigh...
posted by chrisamiller at 9:08 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by chrisamiller at 9:08 PM on November 10, 2006
A few more Dresden Dolls songs: Ampersand , Sing music video (OK song, awesome video), Backstabber.
posted by pombe at 10:19 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by pombe at 10:19 PM on November 10, 2006
Drive Like Jehu!
Nothing before, and nothing since has rocked my balls as hard as Drive Like Jehu.
posted by afx114 at 11:31 PM on November 10, 2006
Nothing before, and nothing since has rocked my balls as hard as Drive Like Jehu.
posted by afx114 at 11:31 PM on November 10, 2006
The Wrens are rereleasing Silver and Seacaucus on Tuesday.
posted by carsonb at 11:56 PM on November 10, 2006
posted by carsonb at 11:56 PM on November 10, 2006
the first time i heard this song, it was the iron&wine version, and only after i totally fell in love with it did i discover it was a cover. and then i heard the postal service original, and it was/is absolutely AMAZING and i LOVE it. and in fact i love ben folds more than i love the postal service but the original "such great heights" is the greatest =)
ps: great post!
posted by alon at 2:50 AM on November 11, 2006
ps: great post!
posted by alon at 2:50 AM on November 11, 2006
btw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOumGc1zd0&mode=related&search=
posted by alon at 3:00 AM on November 11, 2006
posted by alon at 3:00 AM on November 11, 2006
should have hot-linked, sorry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOumGc1zd0&mode=reldate&search=
posted by alon at 3:06 AM on November 11, 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOumGc1zd0&mode=reldate&search=
posted by alon at 3:06 AM on November 11, 2006
The Iron & Wine version was the only song that got my neighbor to tap on the door and ask what song that was. I do like to listen to "quiet" songs like that, and some Sparklehorse for instance, hugely loud.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:27 AM on November 11, 2006
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:27 AM on November 11, 2006
This post could be made way more awesome if it could be quickly derailed into a discussion of how unbelievably whipass Drive Like Jehu is. Bardic and afx114 have gotten the ball rolling.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 7:00 AM on November 11, 2006
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 7:00 AM on November 11, 2006
How to download?
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
if you're on linux or OS X and have curl (OS X does), open up a terminal, use curl and save it to a file.
posted by incongruity at 7:33 AM on November 11, 2006
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
if you're on linux or OS X and have curl (OS X does), open up a terminal, use curl and save it to a file.
posted by incongruity at 7:33 AM on November 11, 2006
the iron & wine version link isn't working for me...
luckily, a friend had placed their version on my hard drive, never listened to to it before now...
that guy needed to learn the song better before he recorded it it: he keeps having to catch his breath on the last word of a line...
it's pretty, though it won't get much rotation from me. I like the original.
posted by I, Credulous at 8:13 AM on November 11, 2006
luckily, a friend had placed their version on my hard drive, never listened to to it before now...
that guy needed to learn the song better before he recorded it it: he keeps having to catch his breath on the last word of a line...
it's pretty, though it won't get much rotation from me. I like the original.
posted by I, Credulous at 8:13 AM on November 11, 2006
As someone who owns everything--everything--Ben Folds has ever released, it depresses me to agree with others that, boy, that cover was pretty bad. He's lost a lot of vocal range in the last few years, and he never had much to lose in the first place-and his real talent, hellacious virtuoso pop piano playing, just isn't on display here.
I don't know what my point is here, exactly.
My favorite band sucks?
posted by Kwine at 9:31 AM on November 11, 2006
I don't know what my point is here, exactly.
My favorite band sucks?
posted by Kwine at 9:31 AM on November 11, 2006
oh, I'm with you, kwine. huge fan of mister folds (as in, seeing all three nyc shows next weekend)...but I was a little underwhelmed by the cover. fun novelty, but I still prefer the original.
also, re all the dashboard confessional comments:
I used to DJ for a modern rock station. one time I was in the studio and got a phone request for "dashboard confessional - screaming infanticides."
I told the kid I'd see what I could do, hung up, and collapsed laughing.
posted by theoddball at 1:16 PM on November 11, 2006
also, re all the dashboard confessional comments:
I used to DJ for a modern rock station. one time I was in the studio and got a phone request for "dashboard confessional - screaming infanticides."
I told the kid I'd see what I could do, hung up, and collapsed laughing.
posted by theoddball at 1:16 PM on November 11, 2006
django z: the Cowboy Junkies cover is good although that video doesn't quite do it justice. Other great covers: Nina Gordon doing "Straight out of Compton" and Lou Reed covering "Foot of Pride".
I'm probably one of the few who had not heard the original :). But having done so, i like the original best. I think what does it for me, funnily enough, is the video. that was very coooool. Thanks for posting this darkripper.
posted by storybored at 2:44 PM on November 11, 2006
I'm probably one of the few who had not heard the original :). But having done so, i like the original best. I think what does it for me, funnily enough, is the video. that was very coooool. Thanks for posting this darkripper.
posted by storybored at 2:44 PM on November 11, 2006
How to download?
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
I just opened the link in a new tab (firefox), left it alone to download ready to play (in quicktime, not sure why that's the default but don't care enough to mess with it), then went to that tab and chose 'Save Page As' from the file menu and voila. mp3 on my desktop. I've moved it to my iPod and it's playing fine.
I've never heard this song before. Have listened to a bit of Ben Folds and Dresden Dolls in the past but I wouldn't call myself a fan (like them OK but not enough to buy CDs or look for downloads). I think I have a Postal Service mp3 or two floating around too. None of this is really amongst my usual genre of listening.
It was interesting listening to four versions of the same some one after the other and seeing how each artist interpreted it. Each one had a different feel while still staying somewhat true to the song. I have to say though, the Postal Service original was by far the bestest and probably the only one I'll keep.
posted by shelleycat at 3:19 PM on November 11, 2006
I had to start download accelerator tool. Anyone knows a better way?
I just opened the link in a new tab (firefox), left it alone to download ready to play (in quicktime, not sure why that's the default but don't care enough to mess with it), then went to that tab and chose 'Save Page As' from the file menu and voila. mp3 on my desktop. I've moved it to my iPod and it's playing fine.
I've never heard this song before. Have listened to a bit of Ben Folds and Dresden Dolls in the past but I wouldn't call myself a fan (like them OK but not enough to buy CDs or look for downloads). I think I have a Postal Service mp3 or two floating around too. None of this is really amongst my usual genre of listening.
It was interesting listening to four versions of the same some one after the other and seeing how each artist interpreted it. Each one had a different feel while still staying somewhat true to the song. I have to say though, the Postal Service original was by far the bestest and probably the only one I'll keep.
posted by shelleycat at 3:19 PM on November 11, 2006
I agree the Ben Folds cover is weak -- and I say this as a Ben Folds fan. Not his best performance ever. However, it sounds to me as if he really could do a great performance of it if he wanted to. He really ought to try singing it lower, though. The part of his range he's using for this sounds really tortured.
posted by litlnemo at 4:13 PM on November 11, 2006
posted by litlnemo at 4:13 PM on November 11, 2006
to all: your music isn't the true emo. Schumann and Liszt were the real emo.
posted by tylermoody at 9:46 AM on November 12, 2006
posted by tylermoody at 9:46 AM on November 12, 2006
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posted by arcticwoman at 1:07 PM on November 10, 2006