Post-Heartland Survey and Discussion

[vestenet]

As a follow up to this thread, now that Heartland is, for many of us, a tangible and listenable thing, which song do you like the most, and why?

Admittedly, I find it difficult to do this kind of separation, since I can't listen to one song without wanting immediately to hear the rest of them (which does speak a lot towards the quality and unity of the album). The Great Elsewhere, though, would have to be my pick. Even my obsessive attention to its live performances did not prepare me for how beautifully unhinged the studio version would be.

[nocturn]

I seem to have the exact same view and experience as you when it comes to The Great Elsewhere, so I won't give any further explanation of why I voted for it.

However, I love 'Tryst', too! I feel like saying 'The Great Elsewhere is so perfect that it's my favourite by a long, long way... but Tryst is close second'. Ignore the impossibility of that if you can


edit: Interestingly, I'd also consider Tryst and TGA as the two songs where the storyline/concept of the album is most important, and where it enhances the song the most.

I get completely into the storyline of the two songs when I listen to them, whereas I listen to the music and lyrics in a different way on all the other songs. I guess they are the two most explicit in the way they tell it.

[dannyboy]

At first listen, my favorite song was easily Keep the Dog Quiet. The awesome groove to that song made it a win in my book for the first couple times. As I listened to the album more often, however, the Great Elsewhere easily became the stand alone track, with Owen's soaring vocals and beautiful arrangement of strings, piano, and percussion. I love every minute of this song, from the crazy opening reminiscent of Radiohead's Idioteque to the beautiful ending chords. Although other songs on this album (LTA, Flare Gun) maybe just as singable or show Owen's arrangements just as well as TGE, no song on the album comes close to comparing to TGE as a masterpiece.

[Thomas]

Im always a sucker for Owen's slow-piano-ballady-sad-album-closing track, so yes to What Do You Think Will Happen Now. Oh Heartland and Red sun tied.

[vestenet]

Jan 16, 2010 14:03:17 GMT -5 Thomas said:

Im always a sucker for Owen's slow-piano-ballady-sad-album-closing track

Same here. What Do You Think Will Happen Now? and Red Sun No. 5 are both a very close second (as well as Midnight Directives, Lewis Takes Off His Shirt, E is for Estranged, Tryst with Mephistopheles, and you can see where I'm going here), and I especially love the way Owen uses and layers his voice in the former. The little bit of gravel in his voice right when he sings "I am a good man" is one of my favorite moments on the album.

[dannyboy]

One thing I must say is that each song can hold its own in a contest such as the above poll. Each has its own individuality and can make someone feel something. WDYTWHN is a gorgeous way to end the album, but i'm still holding strong with my vote of TGE as the climax of the album and the best song on here. Well done Owen. Way to make us all disagree as to which of your songs is the best. That must mean they're all good

[yevveh]

Wow, I'm surprised about The Great Elsewhere, that's my least favourite. Even the last couple times I saw Owen, I always hated 'that song with the really annoying keyboard'. It drives me mad cos I haven't a clue what's going on. Lewis Takes Action for me, closely followed by E is for Estranged and Keep the Dog Quiet. I'm sure I'll have other favourites as I listen more, I'm trying not to over-listen I'm now listening to TGE to try and get over it.

[emilypoulain]

I just can't separate them. At all. It is one big piece of music. I feel like he definitely composed it as a complete orchestral work, like an opera. The story and sounds all string together so beautifully I can't pick out a favorite. Reminds me of Ys in that sense.

Heartland is auditory literature.

[dot]

I voted Oh Heartland, Up Yours!. I couldn't decide between it and E is for Estranged but I voted OHUY because I hadn't heard it before yesterday and all ready love it a lot, whereas I have loved E is for Estranged for a while from live versions. I thinks it's interesting that everyone loves The Great Elsewhere so much, I do really like the song but I didn't find it stood out at all.
I expected in a few days time I will have changed my mind, because they are all amazing songs and I'm sure with many more listens I will realise their awesomeness much more.

[Thomas]

First listen to TGE: What the fuck.

Tenth listen to TGE: Yes.

[yevveh]

~8 more to go!

I love the bit at the end, where that mad keyboard riff is played on piano. Real nice. IT'S STARTING

[sarpedon]

Jan 16, 2010 16:16:12 GMT -5 Thomas said:

First listen to TGE: What the fuck.

Tenth listen to TGE: Yes.

Seconded.

[Scarychips]

I think my favourite is "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt". I remember when I first heard the song when it was on the bootlegg of a show he did in Vicar St, Dublin on the 11th of December, 2007. I was amazed. Then came Heartland, and I got that exact same feeling. The whole album is incredible, but I just love how LTOHS came out.

[yesanastasia]

E is for Estranged is my favourite, hands down. I was pretty addicted to the FM4 version, and it was just what I had hoped it would be on the album. I literally burst into tears on first listen - it's just perfect. Also, piano!

I would say that The Great Elsewhere, and Oh Heartland, Up Yours! come in as close seconds. I love Lewis Takes Off His Shirt, but I desperately wanted a more dramatic swell right around 4:10, so it gets a couple of points taken off for that.

[vestenet]

Jan 16, 2010 16:16:12 GMT -5 Thomas said:

First listen to TGE: What the fuck.

Tenth listen to TGE: Yes.

Thirded, with a small addendum:


First listen: What the fuck.

Tenth listen: What the fuck, yes.


Also, I have a recording of Lewis Takes Off His Shirt from Feb 23, 2007, almost three years ago! It's so cool to listen to it now and hear the song's evolution.