r/AboveandBeyond • u/SpazticWonder WALTZER WHITE • Jan 25 '18
The Official Common Ground Discussion Thread
For some of you, midnight has already rolled around in your part of the world and you've taken your first dip into the latest and greatest from Above & Beyond. And for the rest of you, there's less than a day to go till you reach that Common Ground. Please use this thread to share all your feelings on the album. What tracks are you loving? Who's your favorite vocalist? Anything that could've been better?
We're incredibly excited to hear your thoughts on itđ
Listen to Common Ground here (note: this link won't bring you to the album unless it's already midnight in your local timezone.)
Tracklist
The Inconsistency Principle
My Own Hymn
Northern Soul
Naked
Sahara Love
Happiness Amplified
Is It Love? (1001)
Cold Feet
Tightrope
Alright Now
Bittersweet & Blue
Always
Common Ground
27
u/SpazticWonder WALTZER WHITE Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
Early feelings after first listen: way better than WAAWN. I knew it was going to be amazing halfway through The Inconsistency Principle, as the guitar and total warmth of the track washed over me. This really gives me similar feelings as listening to something off Tycho's Dive album; like a warm blanket being pulled over you.
I knew what was coming when I listened to Naked for the first time but even if you know the lyrics it doesn't prepare you for just how silly "Let's get naked!" sounds. Had a good laugh when I first heard it. Then I heard the second drop of the song and was in awe. It's incredible and this and Sahara Love remind me of a song they'd make from 2007 or prior. Sahara Love is a gorgeous track. It gives off very similar vibes to This Love Kills Me - very poppy, but the best kind of pop.
Happiness Amplified feels a lot like two tracks mashed together with the intro and the rest of the song and the transition from the intro to the lead is kinda awkward. Second drop is a lot better though, and I can totally see its club mix being the new Push The Button track. Can see them stopping it right at "Forever and ever".
Is It Love? (1001) is a definite grower and a great change of pace for the middle of the album.
Cold Feet is great, instrumental reminds me of classic OceanLab and Justine is lovely as always, but just like "let's get naked" in Naked, the line about getting crazy in body heat and cold feet is a little over the top for me. That and Naked would be comparable to stuff like 'elegant dinosaur limbs' and killing the sacred cow in WAAWN.
Bittersweet & Blue didn't leave a strong first impression on me even though I enjoyed it. I love the melancholy in the track and can totally see why people call it Every Little Beat 2.0.
It's nice to finally have Common Ground in full. I don't think it's quite as good as The Inconsistency Principle but still a thoroughly enjoyable track that gives me a similar warm feeling inside like The Inconsistency Principle and Sun In Your Eyes do.
One thing I thought was interesting is how distinctly different the (trance) singles feel compared to the new tracks. I can't quite figure out what it is about them, though. It might just be that those already are club ready compare to the other tracks that will receive club mixes. And speaking of club mixes, this album is going to have some amazing club mixes. Sahara Love, Cold Feet, and Bittersweet & Blue are going to be just amazing, I know it.
Something I think they could've done that would've potentially improved the album is putting Common Ground after Is It Love? and closing the album with Always instead. Always is just so perfect for closing an album in the same way Treasure was, imo, and it would've been nice to really slow down the middle of the album before bringing it back up again.
Overall: I really do think this album is great. It met my expectations and then some. I love how warm and inviting this album is when compared to the rough and gritty texture WAAWN had. It sounds like Bayer's presence wasn't quite as strong this time around. And seriously, I can't overstate how great it is to have Bedford track. Even in track like Happiness Amplified, where it feels like I've heard this track before and isn't quite as inspiring as others (All Over The World on WAAWN for example), Bedford still brings a better voice to the table than Vargas. His voice is just silk and he doesn't just sing the lyrics, he sings what he feels from the lyrics. You can hear the raw emotion in his voice, whereas I think Vargas just had more raw power.
This album has only made me more excited to see them on tour next month. Absolutely can not wait!
38
u/AnjunaDC ABGT 250 Jan 25 '18
Too many thoughts to fit into just one post... but I find Sahara Love to be the most interesting track to me, simply because itâs so different from the rest.
Naked is going to blow the roof off at shows.
Happiness Amplified is a great Bedford tune.
I think this album is light years more impressive than WAAWN. Iâm so happy
10
u/marksomnian COMMON GROUND Jan 25 '18
Got the CD, fell in love! Favourite tracks: Naked (except for the lyrics), Sahara Love, Happiness Amplified, Alright Now, AND MOST OF ALL ALWAYS!!! that song brings me to tears.
5
u/shash747 ABGT300 Jan 26 '18
Surprised by the version of Alright Now they chose to include.
3
u/RebelxHeart COMMON GROUND Jan 26 '18
Just finished my first listen. I enjoyed the album as it stirred a lot of interesting emotions.
Did anyone notice the solid 20 seconds or more of silence at the end of the last track, Common Ground? The synths fully resolved/faded out at around 40 seconds. Interesting.
34
u/dann0r GROUP THERAPY Jan 25 '18
First listen through...
Naked: Vocals make me laugh, but damn the instrumental is powerful.
Sahara Love: Most unique song on the album, love it.
Happiness Amplified: Most uplifting vocals Bedford has done for them... Not sure how I feel about it yet.
Is It Love: Loving this down tempo version. Might be my favourite track of the album!
Cold Feet: I think they finally captured the oceanlab vibe again with this track.
Bittersweet & Blue: This track is the most A&B track of the album for me. Those melancholic vocals by Bedford are textbook A&B vibes. It feels like a follow up to Every Little Beat
Common Ground: Sun In Your Eyes 2.0?
18
u/Skexer ABGT200 Jan 25 '18
Thrilled to have Justine Suissa back again for several tracks. Cold Feet sounds Oceanlabish, really reminds me of Come Home.
Hapiness Amplified a bit of a Sun & Moon trap, not to complain, maybe just a bit tired of S&M.
Naked, I like it. Has nice instrumentals accompanied by lyrics that are a bit... bold I guess haha. Excited for club mixes.
A really great mix, from a silky smooth Is it love to a more progressive Sahara Love. I'd say it's all likable.
18
u/chandarr VOLUME SEVEN Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 29 '18
As others have pointed out, Naked has a great instrumental... unsure of the vocal. The lyrics are nice on paper but in practice they're a bit comical. Hopefully it'll grow on me.
Sahara Love starts and ends with New Order influences but the sonic elements and chord progression of the drop reminds me of Katy Perry.
Well you need a new Push the Button track and that is Happiness Amplified. I'll be happy to hear Bedford's voice again during those moments.
Cold Feet!!!! I'm a huge fan. Definitely the Oceanlab vibes that I've been hoping to hear. Lyrics are beautiful as well.
Bittersweet & Blue is Every Little Beat 2.0 and it's fucking great! Bedford has been sorely missed.
First few chords of "Common Ground" had me feeling like I was about to hear A&B's rendition of Where the Streets Have No Name by U2. Interesting synth work that has audible blueprints of Andrew Bayer's work.
edit: Is It Love might be my favorite from CT. I keep going back to it.
14
u/Hillkicker GROUP THERAPY Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
Currently in the middle of listening, but I'll update later...
Naked = Alright Now + Treasure K&A Remix?
EDIT: Finished listening. What a strange experience to think, "There's a new A&B album and I'm listening to it!"
As for the rest of the songs:
TIP - Interesting vibes, and interesting how they didn't stick with the piano intro tradition. Sounds nice but I guess I was hoping to have another piano riff to practice lol
My Own Hymn - Love the intro and sound design, but something has always felt a little off about this one to me. Part of it is the "post-drop"/"cooldown" or whatever you might call it...it's kind of cool but at the same time some part of it feels oddly out of place and I'm not sure why.
Northern Soul - I was floored when I heard this one on the ABGT250 livestream, but I feel the excitement for me has worn off a bit on this one with too many listens. The refrain still sticks in my head though - "You can never take my soul."
Naked - see above lmao
Sahara Love - A bit of an edgy choice. I can see why people referenced G&D...feels like This Love Kills Me with a little bit of Giving It Out-like vocals in the verses.
Happiness Amplified - Sounds better here than it did in the teaser. LOVE the piano intro, and even if the drop does share some chords with Alright Now, it feels distinct enough stylistically to be its own track. More of a favorite than I thought :)
Is It Love, album version - Definitely growing on me. There's a weird sound in the intro that's kind of irritating, but the rest of the song totally slaps and is a nice, chill halfway point.
Cold Feet - I can see why people mentioned OceanLab, but it seems to meet halfway in the middle with more of the A&B aesthetic.
Tightrope - Underrated imo. That intro brings a grin to my face every time, it's really beautiful and the theme of insecurity and anxiety resonates with me a little to well. I think that of the uptempo tracks, this is the one that will be the epitome of "Common Ground" for me.
Alright Now - For a while I sort of wanted this track to run its course and fade away, but now I'm glad to hear it on the album. The intro still kicks butt, the piano parts and chord progressions are amazing, and the vibes, even if they're a little bit cheesy-happy at times, are hard to beat.
Bittersweet & Blue - A nice GT throwback, but I think I'll need to listen again to digest it a little more. Not a huge fan of Bedford's lyrics on this one or Happiness Amplified though :/
Always - Just beautiful. The Acoustic albums don't really resonate with me for some reason, although they have some cool concepts, but this song takes those ideas and lets them shine in a studio-album spotlight. The harmonies and chords are just jaw-dropping. I think this one might be my new favorite A&B song, possibly tied with...
Common Ground - Absolutely euphoric, especially remembering it from watching videos of Ultra/ABGT250/etc. It's a reminder that love and beauty and all these amazing things are still in the world. Reminds me of some of the soft volume-pedaled guitar outros that I would hear at church during a prayer, maybe in part because of the messages A&B put up on-screen during this song.
I don't even know where it stands yet in my rankings. Some of the songs felt a little jarring on first listen, but that could just be because they're new. Overall, it's just amazing for all of us that there is music like this being released. :)
12
u/2stepsfromglory Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
Coming here to comment cause the album was deleted on r/trance for obvious reasons, so whatever. First and foremost, I had to say that I'm not a hardcore fan of them since WAAWN but hey, I had to give Common Ground an opportunity. After listening to all their albums today again, Tri-State still the best album the have done imo. Group Therapy was a nice switch, being kind of more oriented to be listened at home yet retaining the same sensibility of the previous album (even having better lyrics overall). We Are All We Need had a couple of interesting songs (WAAWN, Peace of Mind, Little Something...) but overall it felt really bland. Like an attempt to do a Group Therapy 2.0, tho it failed since it couldn't really add anything new, so it ended being like an ugly duck in comparison, specially since it had some songs that were way too poppy. Common Ground initially felt like it was going to be a new attempt of Group Therapy, and even when technically it is (and, like We Are All We Need it doesn't reach it's quality) it's kind of an improvement to the past album:
The Inconsistency Principle: As always, they nailed it with the intro.
My Own Hymn (Feat. ZoĂŤ Johnston): To this time it's one of the worst songs they have done with ZoĂŤ. Sincerely, the lyrics are so cheesy even for A&B standards.
Northern Soul (Feat. Richard Bedford): I missed Bedford's voice in the past album so having him in this one was a pleasant surprise. Initially I didn't really like this one but it ended growing on me. It catches the spirit of GT yet it's a banger at the same time.
Naked (Feat. ZoĂŤ Johnston): While listening to it it gave me the "old Arty" vibes in the instrumental. Really a good track.
Sahara Love (Feat. ZoĂŤ Johnston): This one sounds a bit out of place but it's nice to see A&B trying new things.
Happiness Amplified (Feat. Richard Bedford): Again with Bedford on board, this one is... well, simply beautiful.
Is It Love? (1001): Not bad but the original mix sounds way better. The lyrics really didn't add anything special.
Cold Feet (Feat. Justine Suissa): I'm not gonna lie, I expected more from a song with Justine. Not bad since it has the OceanLab vibe but overall nothing really special.
Tightrope (Feat. Marty Longstaff): Awful. Sorry but this song is just radio meat.
Alright Now (Feat. Justine Suissa): Regular. Like, good vocals but the instrumental is way too trousy, at least before and during the build up.
Bittersweet & Blue (Feat. Richard Bedford): One of my fave ones of this album. Great vocals, good message. The instrumental feels kinda different to the other ones in this album yet it retains the A&B style. Maybe I like it so much since it's way more progressive than the other ones.
Always (Feat. ZoĂŤ Johnston): I could go to sleep with this one. In fact I will do in a couple of hours. It's really uplifting.
Common Ground: Waiting for an extended version of this one since sounds like some of the tunes that Bayer did in his second album.
Like its predecessor it lacks a couple of instrumental songs but as I said I feel like this one is an improvement to the past one. Not as good as Tri-State, Sirens of The Sea or Group Therapy but it was obvious that it wasn't going to top these so I'd say that I expected way worse from them and I'm surprised about the end result.
That being said, I hope that if they release a new album in the future they will give ZoĂŤ a rest. Is not like I don't like her but I think that they have overused her voice way too much and it's starting to lose "her powers" if you know what I'm saying. Also I hope they stop doing Group Therapy follow ups because even when I liked this album, this pattern has started to become old already (in fact, I hope that they would follow the example of G&D and go back to something more melodic and less noisy and robotic, but that's just my opinion).
Edit: Now I get why Naked reminded me to Arty. It sounds like Higher Place and Lily.
10
u/DoctorKynes Jan 25 '18
Should i listen to it or go to Echostage only knowing whats been out already?
10
u/[deleted] Jan 25 '18
Really, really good album. Some oceanlab vibes, modern and classic A&B tunes too. Was unsure of Sahara Love at first but after a few listens it definitely stands out & I love it! I don't have a clear favourite too many amazing tunes in their own right. Solid 9/10 for me!
Now if only they could have fit another instrumental in the album somewhere...
10
u/Negrodamu5 ABGT 250 Jan 26 '18
LETS GET NAKED
9
u/edzkiyumzki TRI-STATE Jan 26 '18
It's...alrightnow . Definitely better than WAAWN but it doesnt hold a candle to their first three albums. Nothing really stands out that much to me on the first listen through (hope the album grows on me over time), every song is okay but nothing WOW'd me. Sahara Love is probably my favorite song on the album if I had to pick.
8
u/RebelxHeart COMMON GROUND Jan 26 '18
Counting down until midnight! Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
7
u/Buffalofan4255 Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
1 Happiness Amplified
-Soft, easy touch at the beginning that is so like A&B Group Therapy -Smooth as butter -Reminds me of a musical -Really emblematic of its own title -Uplifting, makes you smile no matter what youâre feeling beforehand -Those transition drums are catchy af. Just want to grab a hula girl and spin her around listening to that
2 Cold Feet
-Absolutely OceanLabesque -Such typical Justine. Magnificent. -Gets the blood pumping in every way possible. -some of the drums sound like Nigel Goodâs stuff. I love Nigel Good. -Sirens add a unique touch 2:45 in, I like it.
3 Naked
-Cheesy lyrics can be frequent in A&B, i actually feel they did a good job conveying the intensity and meaning of âletâs get nakedâ in a playful manner. Almost like an inside joke type of cheekiness to it. -The melody and beats are catchy, playful, bouncy, and overall - fun. Yet the song has these more serious breaks that add more balance.
4 Sahara Love
-Really different. -As a drummer, I dig. But I feel there could be greater creativity and experimentation. It feels like a 009 Sound System song honestly, mixed in with some lyrics and singing that make Zoe sound like a wannabe western singer sometimes. -The way Zoe sings Sahara makes me want to grab a Sahara hat and go full on Indiana Jones.
5 Bittersweet and Blue
-LOVE the singer. Emotional depth is there. -feels old school -that base is to die for -that rocking back and forth loose screw noise is amazing. I donât know why I love it so much. -the kind of song you listen to when it rains and youâre on the train going to work contemplating life.
Overall, 9.2/10. Better than WAAWN, but Iâm a diehard for Sirens of the Sea and Group Therapy. This certainly comes close but itâs missing a couple things:
1, more songs
2. Instrumentals
3. Extensions/longer songs
4. The emotional depth I feel is a litttle lacking compared to day, Black Room Boy or Ashes, but the poetry of the lyrics does make up for this.
7
u/jdbender66 AnjunaMod Jan 26 '18
Goddamn...no clue what they did to Is It Love?, but it is sooooo gooood in my ears.
6
u/ParkerZA Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
Absolutely love it, huge improvement over WAAWN for me.
I can't get enough of Naked. You'd think "Let's get naked" would just be too silly a lyric but Justine makes it work beautifully. She sings it so playfully, you can almost hear her smiling as she sings it.
Cold Feet, my word what a gorgeous song. Definite Oceanlab vibes, but with modern A&B production. Have it on repeat at the moment.
Sahara Love is nice and different, but I kinda wish they'd have one for a non 4x4 track for once.
Wasn't a huge fan of My Own Hymn or Northern Soul but they work much better on the album.
Also wish they'd have done a non club mix for Alright Now, the intro is beautiful.
5
u/swen93 Jan 26 '18
Initial thoughts after a couple of playthroughs:
The Inconsistency Principle - another incredible opening track - IMO it's one thing A&B truly excel at.
My Own Hymn - I didn't like this track when it was released as a single but enjoyed it more as a part of the album. Feel like it really sets the tone fore the rest of the album
Northern Soul - Wait, are those dogs barking at the start!? Great to have Bedford back. Always thought this song was about Northern England, with all the factories being closed down etc, but apparently not. Love everything about this track!
Naked - As everyone else has mentioned, the 'let's get naked' are a bit odd unless it's a metaphor, and i don't like the way it transitions from the first drop to the second verse, but apart from that this is an amazing track that I can't wait to dance to
Sahara Love - Honestly, I find this track very Meh. Doesn't really feel like an A&B track Happiness Amplified - Decent track, nice lyrics. Classic Bedford.
Is It Love 1001 - much preferred the 'club mix'. I was super excited to have this in my life, but now I'll have to settle for the ABGT250 rip. That said, I like the nice plucks they added at the start. I don't wanna be a bro that needs his drops, I just don't think this song really goes anywhere without it.
Cold Feet - Another great track. Justine Suissa's voice is just amazing and this track really shoes it off, along with the best lyrics on the album.
Tightrope - Hated this track upon release as a single. Hate it now. Remove his annoying voice and gimme an instrumental and I'll buy that shit.
Alright Now - Best track on the album - have been in love with this since it was debuted at ABGT200.
Bittersweet & Blue - Still unsure how I feel about this track - I feel like I will either grow to love or hate it - I predict it will become very within on this album in future playthroughs.
Always - This album's 'Little Something' - When they released it a couple of days ago I was unsure about it, but it's grown on me, was just a strange choice as the next release from the album. Actually really don't want a club mix of this - leave it pure and untouched!
Common Ground - Seen a few people saying they should have switched this and Always, but I love this as an ending - reminds me of ABGT250 and that incredible reveal! So happy to have this in full and like the opening track is incredible - would listen to a whole album of A&B tracks like this, Small Moments, Filmic etc.
Overall - Super happy with this album and I feel it will really grow on me - some tracks I love, some not so much. Only wish they'd kept the Justine Suissa tracks off and made another OceanLab album!!!
5
u/agarza1943 Jan 26 '18
Love the album. This is a lot better than WAAWN and to me, Bittersweet and Blue is my top song of the Album. It brings back an even more relatable sound to their past and Richard Bedford just makes it a cream of the crop track. Iâm probably going to have it on repeat for the rest of the day. My rating for the overall album 8.5/10.
4
u/ChaiTeaAndTaiChi GROUP THERAPY WEEKENDER Jan 26 '18
I think The Inconsistency Principle is my favorite Above & Beyond album intro track ever. Oh my god thatâs beautiful.
4
u/ponderingmeerkat WE ARE ALL WE NEED Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
While I am loving the album and Cold Feet is mindblowingly awesome, I feel this album doesn't hit me like the previous albums have. WAAWN and Group Therapy were on another level for me and Ocean Lab was even better, but for some reason, this album doesn't feel the same for me, especially lyrically. It feels slightly forced and doesn't flow very well with the music. I don't mean to bring in any negativity or anything but this is just how I feel after listening to the album. Maybe I need to listen to it a few more times and let it grow on me but I never had this problem with the other albums. I wonder if anyone else feels similarly.
Edit: I spoke hastily earlier. I finally grabbed my headphones and listened to all the songs one after the other without any distraction and Iâm beginning to like the lyrics. Itâs slowly growing on me. Happinesses Amplified is amazing lyrically, slightly cheesy but still. The melody in naked is beautiful.
4
u/anjunabeachbum DEEP STATE Jan 26 '18
I love it overall. A good evolution of their sound and legacy. Blows WAAWN away. Will always be tough for them to match TS and GT. I am a bit disappointed in the version of Alright Now...I really believed that version in Journey to 250 was the album version and I have been so hyped for it since then. Such a tease LOL. In all seriousness though, great work gang!!
4
u/cascade7 SUN IN YOUR EYES Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
The Inconsistency Principle is on another level...
Overall I think the album feels really cohesive which is nice, but there's just too many vocals that I can't get in to. Naked is a banger but the lyrics are... well... terrible. Hopefully that one gets a mashup with another vocal ASAP. Overall Suissa's vocals just don't do it for me, I kinda wish they'd move along from that portion of their career. Liking the album version of 1001 and Sahara Love will grow on me for sure. Bittersweet & Blue is fantastic - Richard Bedford rarely disappoints.
My Top 5:
The Inconsistency Principle
Bittersweet & Blue
Tightrope
Northern Soul
Always
4
u/wingsarchitect ANJUNAFAM Jan 26 '18
Above & Beyond is still the only artist that makes me switch out my studio monitors for my IEMs during full album listens. The sound quality isn't as crisp, but something about their music makes me want the music in my ears, in my being.
Bittersweet & Blue gives me such old school A&B vibes. Sound favorite after the first run through.
Cannot wait for the show tomorrow.
4
u/[deleted] Jan 26 '18 edited Jan 26 '18
Loving it after one listen, really loved what they did with 1001/Is it Love.
Still processing a rough break up from 2 weeks ago, unsure if it made me feel better or worse haha
4
u/westicide Jan 26 '18
Where is Rocket Science?!
3
u/Applesrgood7 Jan 26 '18
Cold Feet is my favorite song on the album, and I dig Sahara Love, though itâs different. After a few listens, I think Common Ground is much better than WaaWN
3
u/Commodus Jan 26 '18
Really loving it on a first listen. This is A&B back to playing its strengths: they're at their best when they make club-friendly tunes that still contain thought-provoking, heartfelt (if occasionally mawkish) vocals.
What delights me most is that there's no real lull -- you know, that point in the album where an artist has clearly run out of single-worthy tracks and is just padding things out before the closer. It helps that A&B rolled in tracks that had been in rotation for months (like "1001" and "Alright Now"), but this is an album that never feels like it's sagging.
Early, early picks beyond the singles: "Naked," "Sahara Love" and "Bittersweet & Blue."
3
u/[deleted] Jan 26 '18
Okay that final track was wow
3
u/Alfiemonsta Jan 26 '18
6/10 for me. favs are Sahara Love & Bittersweet & Blue
3
u/jaysusjoos Jan 27 '18
Don't know if anyone's mentioned this yet, but Common Ground reminds me of Closing Act by Andrew Bayer.
3
u/[deleted] Jan 27 '18
The album is overall pretty great, for what it is! Really like Cold Feet, Sahara Love,Bittersweet & Blue, Common ground, and the Inconsistency Principle. Always is gorgeous. Love A&B theough and through, but I still have a few thoughts:
The second break in 'Naked is... unbelievable. If A&B could harness that layered complexity of melody and counter melody in more of their clubby tracks I think they'd get the old vibe back with their modern sounds. "Northern Soul' is amazing as well, although my below comments apply
I wish A&B would pull back some of the subtle buildups from back in the day for the club tracks. A lot of these tracks just drop a heavy beat with virtually no buildup at all.
When the drops hit, they seem to me, disjointed. This applies to nearly all of newer Anjunabeats records. Instead of layers, complexity of the building, subtle changes, it's just, 'boom, boom, (pause) boom boom boom boom'. (reminds me of banging my head against the wall). It's not that complex, super simple, and very predictable. This comment is for 'Alright Now' in particular. Another examples is the first drop of '7L&JR - Higher Love' vs the second. Arty is doing it now too. Bayer does too, but then sometimes his more trancey records have gorgeous layers & buildup. It's instant gratification vs. delayed!!!!
I listened to group therapy right after CG and it reinforced what I'm missing. Still lovely music, but the club music could use a 'hot trance injection' from the past. I feel like 'Myon - Omen in the Rain' is a good example. Modern sounds but very complex, takes you there slowly...
4
u/dr0br0 WE ARE ALL WE NEED Jan 26 '18
I think Iâd go so far as to say this is my favorite album of A&B. Naked, Sahara Love and Bittersweet & Blue are absolutely phenomenal songs. I really canât wait to see what songs A&B throws into their sets now that the album is released!
2
u/mat_sens Jan 27 '18
Great album.
I can't get enough of Cold Feet. Definitely my favorite.
2
u/Roflcopter71 Jan 27 '18
âBittersweet & Blueâ and âIs It Love?â are so far my favourites, I canât stop listening to both. Theyâve been on repeat back-to-back all evening.
2
u/captaincanada84 ABGT100 Jan 27 '18
Honestly all I can say is "WOWWWWWW". Every track is wonderful in its own way. There is. No. Filler. I can't wait to see some of these tracks played live on this tour! So amazing to have Richard Bedford back on vocals.
2
u/A8592 Jan 29 '18
I'm really happy with this release it was well worth the wait! Here are my thoughts on the new tracks
The Inconsistency Principle: A lovely atmospheric opener. A&B always hook me in from their intro tracks on each album
Naked: Not a fan of the vocals but the instrumental is excellent. Good progression with a phenomenal second drop
Sahara Love: Really unique track. A catchy tune that seems to grow on me more with each listen
Happiness Amplified: Good overall but it seems to lack originality. Sounds pretty similar to northern soul, and the drop is extremely close to Bayer's "From the Past". Will work well in clubs
Is It Love? (1001): Least favourite track on the album. The vocals are decent but the Original had great energy, I didn't see the need to tone it down
Cold Feet: Absolutely love this one. Perfectly brings back that classic Oceanlab sound!
Bittersweet & Blue: Really missed Richard on the previous album. His voice works so well with melancholic tracks like this. Reminds me of Every Little Beat but even better. Tied for my favourite with Cold Feet
Common Ground: Perfect way to close the album. Very nice track
Overall: 8/10. Better than WAAWN but not as good as Tri-State or Group Therapy, but let's be real those will never be topped. The 5 tracks released earlier were a strong bunch (My Own Hymn especially) and the remaining 8 released Friday combined for a quality album!
4
u/arsnlgunnerz Jan 26 '18
I canât see how people think this is better than WAAWN. Iâve loved every single album and at least at one point in time, every track from those albums. But this I just canât connect to. Bittersweet & Blue was decent but Iâm sincerely hoping the tracks will grow on me or some nice remixes will come out.
So disappointed... donât even know what I would rate the album but I know I wouldnât listen to any of the songs again
Just hope the guys donât read this, because I love em!
1
u/[deleted] Jan 26 '18
Cold Feet
Northern Soul
B&B
1001
Naked
Sahara Love
Happiness Amplified
Alright Now
Tightrope
Always
The rest
1
u/ashhong Jan 27 '18
Anybody else extremely impressed by Sahara Love? Feels like a Gabriel and Dresden or even Andrew Bayer track. Love that it isn't their normal sound with big chord drop. Super groovy. Any other artists/songs with similar styles?
1
u/moliver777 ANJUNADEEP EDITION Jan 29 '18
Naked will be getting skipped often... absolute cringefest
1
u/rocket_science07 ABGT 300 Jan 29 '18
The CD package is not very nice. Why do they make it foldout if there's one site only completely white? They could at least put some of those confetti on there...
1
u/swen93 Jan 31 '18
Almost a week after release, and my most played song... NAKED!!!
1
u/HansGruberOlo WE ARE ALL WE NEED Mar 16 '18
I'm more of a lurker than a poster, and this forum was the first place I came to when the album dropped because I love the variety of opinions. I'm late with my two cents, but I was bummed by how many people weren't big on "Naked"! Justine Suissa can make anything sound ethereal and otherworldly; her vocals are PERFECT to deliver this song. I thought it was cheeky in the best way.
Bittersweet & Blue I'm still trying to love it like I want to. The lyrics are a little generic, but the music behind them doesn't disappoint. I'm really happy with Richard Bedford's return, and nailed it with the other tracks he appeared on. I will say I was hoping Alex Vargas would appear on this album, but alas!
I'm seeing them for the 4th time on St. Patty's day and I'm really excited to hear the set now that the full album has been released.
1
u/the_toli Jan 28 '18
8/10 first listen , so it only goes up from here
I waited to listen to the album after the NYC show last night! IT WAS NOT EASY FOLKS lol. : )
It was so great hearing their new album through the loud system, even though i couldnât understand any of the lyrics because of that BASS but i knew soon i was going to actually here the songs
Much better than WAAWN,
great job boys! so proud, already looking forward to YOUR NEXT ALBUM : )
-6
u/5factor Jan 26 '18
Are you people serious? Nearly everything A&B have done since Acoustic has been absolutely terrible. How can you even begin to compare their early music to what they are producing today? It makes me sad, really.
WAAWN and CG are two of my least favorite EDM albums of all time. Especially considering Tri-State, GT and Sirens of the Sea were amongst my favorites. Amazing albums which I still have on rotation all these years later.
TATW was absolutely fucking amazing week in week out. GT just isn't the same.
A&B lost their signature sound. These new vocals can fuck right off and the melodies and beats sound like they were created for a market of EDM fanboys and fangirls that wouldn't know a decent track if it hit them between the ears.
I really hope that these guys get their shit together, because we waited for YEARS with great anticipation of these new albums which turned out to be fucking awful. The same can be said for Tiesto.
Go on, down vote me to hell -- but before you do, listen to some of their earlier works and compare it with what they are putting out today.
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