"Ukulele songs"..simply annoying

245

Comments

  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    As I've said from the beginning ... this album is not going to be for everyone. It is going to be for those of us who value Ed's lyrics and melodies over all else.

    It's an acquired taste. I think Ed would probably tell you the same.


    i think we all can value Ed lyrics and melodies, i know i do. but i just can't get into this. take a song like I'm Still Here. to me it is a very similar theme lyrically to what is on this album, and it's just ed and a guitar, so it's not like any other pearl jam song and kinda similar to this, just Ed and a Uke. but i could listen to that song alone on repeat for hours, but i just can't get through all of Uke Songs in one sitting

    I'm not saying you don't value the lyrics. I'm saying you probably don't value them above all else. That's what carries Uke Songs, at least the ones I've heard. If it's important to you that Ed sing his lyrics atop a guitar, this album simply isn't for you.

    Of course, it IS called "Ukele Songs" so there should be no surprises.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • tremors
    tremors Posts: 8,051
    As I've said from the beginning ... this album is not going to be for everyone. It is going to be for those of us who value Ed's lyrics and melodies over all else.

    It's an acquired taste. I think Ed would probably tell you the same.


    i think we all can value Ed lyrics and melodies, i know i do. but i just can't get into this. take a song like I'm Still Here. to me it is a very similar theme lyrically to what is on this album, and it's just ed and a guitar, so it's not like any other pearl jam song and kinda similar to this, just Ed and a Uke. but i could listen to that song alone on repeat for hours, but i just can't get through all of Uke Songs in one sitting


    For me the lyrics on their own are nowhere near as strong as Eddie's best writing - but these are different kinds of songs. As heartfelt and poignant personal reflections on subjects which are not easy to approach - singing for oneself rather than trying to write an amazing song - they have a big impact on me.
    Cancel my subscription to the Ressurection
    Send my credentials to the house of detention

    lettherecordsplay1x.gif?t=1377796878
  • threefish10
    threefish10 Posts: 7,392
    Of course, it IS called "Ukele Songs" so there should be no surprises.


    oh, i'm not surprised. i had reservations going in, and had low expectations which can often be a good thing cause then there is room to be blown away, but i just wasn't.

    but to me it just seem the people who do like are telling the ones who don't why they should, not saying you are cause you even said you knew it was not gonna be for everyone.

    and it "Ukulele" ;) seems everyone is getting tripped up but it, that's way i always just type uke songs.
    condescending and sarcastic since 1980
  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    tremors wrote:
    For me the lyrics on their own are nowhere near as strong as Eddie's best writing - but these are different kinds of songs. As heartfelt and poignant personal reflections on subjects which are not easy to approach - singing for oneself rather than trying to write an amazing song - they have a big impact on me.

    I think this is a good point.

    This isn't an album Ed put out as if to say, "This is my best work." It's more like, "Here is a personal and different kind of project I've been working on in my spare time. You can have a listen if you want."

    It's not an album meant to go super-duper platinum. It's a collection of songs Ed made for himself, to work through some things by himself. Not everybody is supposed to like it.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • threefish10
    threefish10 Posts: 7,392
    This isn't an album Ed put out as if to say, "This is my best work." It's more like, "Here is a personal and different kind of project I've been working on in my spare time. You can have a listen if you want."

    It's not an album meant to go super-duper platinum. It's a collection of songs Ed made for himself, to work through some things by himself. Not everybody is supposed to like it.


    it sounds like it was never Ed's intention to put it out, it was recorded years ago, or one was and this might be new recordings of some of those songs and some newer ones. but now it is out he seems to be going the whole hog to get it out there, songbooks, music videos, sales coupons at best buy.
    condescending and sarcastic since 1980
  • tremors
    tremors Posts: 8,051

    but to me it just seem the people who do like are telling the ones who don't why they should, not saying you are cause you even said you knew it was not gonna be for everyone.

    Unfortunately this seems to be the way discussions about differences of opinion on albums seem to end up going here - as for me, I have no problem somebody not liking a record I like, and I don't really have an interest in converting them. Sometimes though, like with Backspacer, which I love, I have been told I am basically mad for liking it, and it must be because I have blind love for anything the band put out - and this irritates the hell out of me. People should be free to dislike an album, and people should equally be able to find musical value in the same thing - in both cases assuming the other has a difference of opinion with all their wits about them - there are a lot of intelligent people here who have different opinions on the music. So far the discussions about uke songs don't seem to be getting into the same territory as some of the Backspacer discussions, and I hope it stays that way. My own recent comments about uke songs haven't been made with the interest of converting anybody - just to say what I like about it!
    Cancel my subscription to the Ressurection
    Send my credentials to the house of detention

    lettherecordsplay1x.gif?t=1377796878
  • 2-feign-reluctance
    2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,461
    Good analogy. Could also be a vegemite kind of record for me. At first tough to process, but now a staple for brekkie and tea.

    boyo79 wrote:
    Not listened to the album yet, waiting for it to arrive in the post.

    But to the OP its fine that you don't like the album. No one has too. I have a feeling this album will be a 'marmite' kind of album - you either love it or hate it.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • The Waiting Trophy Man
    The Waiting Trophy Man Niagara region, Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,158
    i think we all can value Ed lyrics and melodies, i know i do. but i just can't get into this.

    It's been out for one day, lol
    Another habit says it's in love with you
    Another habit says its long overdue
    Another habit like an unwanted friend
    I'm so happy with my righteous self
  • I agree with the original post......I've been a PJ fan and EV fan for a long time and this album just doesn't do it for me. Maybe it's these videos with Eddie in a sport coat that soured me on the whole concept.

    I'll always be a PJ fan....but I hope this overly sappy love song phase passes quickly.
  • RedMosquito22
    RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    It's a perfect album to play on the deck for me this summer while I strum my ukulele along with Ed!!!!!
    Member 164xxx

    8/15/92, 9/28/96, 8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/18/98, 8/3/00, 8/9/00, 8/10/00, 8/23/00, 8/25/00, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 6/18/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/1/04, 10/3/05, 6/19/08, 10/27/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/21/13

    More to Come....
  • Instant fan here!
    Can't Keep is a great opener too. The first time I heard it was on the Benaroya Hall album and loved it then!

    Sure yuke tunes aren't for everybody, but certainly are for me. It's sun-setting (or rising) kayak on the lake fishing rod in hand life is beautiful kinda stuff. Quite special.
    "Hey Cliff... While We're young!"
  • cippociappo
    cippociappo Posts: 692
    I LOVE this album :)
    I can see why some people might not like it though
    Makes me ache, makes me shake...
    ...is it so wrong to think that love can keep us safe?
  • Gardenparty
    Gardenparty Posts: 1,910
    I find this forum a bit irritating. I think it is because of the "squeeky wheel" mentality.

    the ones of us who found this album enjoyable or were simply just impartial posted our opinions in established threads. I'm by no means forum police and you're obviously allowed to do whatever you choose, but why the new thread?
    “I know this song so well, I can smoke a cigarette, have a drink, brush my teeth, take a shit, and mow the lawn while singing it. But I'll only be doing a couple of those things during this version.”
  • Bigda
    Bigda Posts: 469
    I find this forum a bit irritating. I think it is because of the "squeeky wheel" mentality.

    the ones of us who found this album enjoyable or were simply just impartial posted our opinions in established threads. I'm by no means forum police and you're obviously allowed to do whatever you choose, but why the new thread?
    why? you have just lost your time to be forum police:) the reason i started new topic and why i always will, is because i can never find topic easily on the forum main site. too long to find, to much hassle. dont want to reply to new topic - simply dont. period. no need to get irritated.
    take it easy. peace.
    _____________________________
    Prague '95 (w/Neil Young), Warsaw '96, Seattle '98, Katowice x2 '00, Berlin '00, Berlin '06, Katowice '07, Copenhagen '07, Belfast '10, Berlin '10, Amsterdam '12, Prague'12, Berlin x2 '12, Vienna '14, Berlin '14..
  • light today is my favourite song from the album, today :D
    it's beautiful
  • Bigda
    Bigda Posts: 469
    I've been a PJ fan and EV fan for a long time and this album just doesn't do it for me. Maybe it's these videos with Eddie in a sport coat that soured me on the whole concept.

    I'll always be a PJ fan....but I hope this overly sappy love song phase passes quickly.

    I wish i knew how to say what i wanted using less words and spending less time, Master Joda!:)))))
    _____________________________
    Prague '95 (w/Neil Young), Warsaw '96, Seattle '98, Katowice x2 '00, Berlin '00, Berlin '06, Katowice '07, Copenhagen '07, Belfast '10, Berlin '10, Amsterdam '12, Prague'12, Berlin x2 '12, Vienna '14, Berlin '14..
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    light today is my favourite song from the album, today :D
    it's beautiful
    Thank_You.gifTEN CLUB !


    just got mine.... waiting for cocktail hour ...it's a much better day now :D
  • It's a perfect album to play on the deck for me this summer while I strum my ukulele along with Ed!!!!!

    I'm with RM22. I spend the summers at my mountain cabin with my guitar and uke, and now I even get a songbook with all the lyrics and chords to learn on the uke! What is better than that?

    Maybe you need to be an old guy who plays stringed instruments to like it :lol:
    |9.5.93Gorge|2.6.95Moore|5.7.98AROSpace|7.21.98Seattle|7.22.98Seattle|10.21.00PHX|11.5.00Seattle
    |11.6.00Seattle|6.6.03Vegas|6.7.03PHX|5.25.06Boston|7.22.06Gorge|7.23.06Gorge|9.21.09Seattle|9.22.09Seattle |10.6.09LA|11.19.13PHX|11.29.13Portland|12.6.13Seattle |10.22.14Denver| 8.8.18 Seattle | 8.10.18 Seattle

    EV Solo |7.15.11 Benaroya|7.16.11 Benaroya|4.13.12PHX|10.30.14Redmond|
    TOTD 11.11.16 San Fran
  • RedMosquito22
    RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    It's a perfect album to play on the deck for me this summer while I strum my ukulele along with Ed!!!!!

    I'm with RM22. I spend the summers at my mountain cabin with my guitar and uke, and now I even get a songbook with all the lyrics and chords to learn on the uke! What is better than that?

    Maybe you need to be an old guy who plays stringed instruments to like it :lol:

    That's possible. I fit that criteria. hahahahahaha
    Member 164xxx

    8/15/92, 9/28/96, 8/28/98, 8/29/98, 9/18/98, 8/3/00, 8/9/00, 8/10/00, 8/23/00, 8/25/00, 9/1/00, 9/2/00, 4/28/03, 6/18/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 10/1/04, 10/3/05, 6/19/08, 10/27/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/21/13

    More to Come....
  • jjflash
    jjflash Posts: 5,048
    I find it annoying that people find it annoying :P . C'mon, the album is titled "Ukulele Songs"....what are you expecting from it? The title is like the "Explicit Lyrics" tags on albums....I just don't see buying something like that and then complaining when someone says 'fuck'. I appreciate the fact that Ed has the cahones to serve up an album constructed w/n the boundaries created by a limited instrument. I'm on listen #3 and am digging the hushed, intimate, melodic tunes he created. It conjures up images of seeing Ed play solo, particularly when he breaks out the uke. The dude is starting to sniff 50, is happily married and has young kids; all that to say I love where the formal release of this album fits neatly into the current stratosphere of his life. Kudos eV. Thanks for releasing the new tunes into the world :D !