Australia and NZ tour rumours going around Part 2 (No Bullshit)

heyjose wrote:

It's all pretty much a blur, but I can tell you this album sounds nothing like its predecessors. It was hard to hear over people talking over it, but the band are messing with traditional song formulas a lot. Ed screams... a lot. There are some Mike solos, but think the style he goes nuts with on Habit. There isn't a heavy emphasis on keys, but more could reveal itself. It is really aggressive in parts, lots of power chords! The sound is better than Riot Act as far as I could tell, the band playing tighter, the songs being tighter as well. But I think I'd like to hear Ed a bit better in the mix. Standout at the moment : Marker in the Sand.

1. Life Wasted

Straight up, hard edged rocker with Ed screaming throughout (couldn't make out a word, except for "life wasted"!). It's similiar in feel to WWS but more aggressive. Bridge slows it down and is awesome, then it's back to 3 chords and Mike going beserk which continues as song fades. No real hook as far as I could tell but could be a grower.

2. WWS

So much better when you hear it straight from the cd and amped. The catchiness of it really comes through. I'm now more of a fan.

3. Comatose

Studio version of what was formerly Crapshoot is great. Sound is awesome. It's easier to hear Ed at the start. Bridge is brief and didn't really go anywhere, but Mike then solos. Ed is again screaming/straining. A quick, punked-up thrill.

4. Severed Hand

Change of pace for some of it. There's a fade in and then the sound of backwards guitars. Matt comes in with lots of tom work and it sounds like there's a synth. Did Matt co-write this? There's a machine-gun guitar riff. Bridge slows it down and it sounds like Insignificance with more of a pop feel. Lots of Mike solo work, ala Habit. I think this might be a grower.

5. Marker in the Sand

Favourite, hands down. Matt kicks in with a cool fill and there's interesting riffage going on. A different guitar sound. A beautiful, beautiful chorus that slows the song down. More Ed straining his voice! But it'll give you chills. And then suddenly, the tempo changes out of nowhere. The outro is played over chorus chords. Winner.

6. Parachutes

Don't worry, this is a great song. Folky but upbeat with acoustic guitar, lots of time changes, and a good, classic pop feel. Nice.

7. Unemployable

I really had to go to the bathroom, but like WWS, good to hear it from the disc and amped.

8. Big Wave

Didn't really like this one so much, but we'll see. It's back to the aggressive punk with Ed screaming all over the place and Mike soloing. Like Get Right on speed. Maybe.

9. Gone

Prepare to be really pleased with how this has come to life. Ed starts off with acoustic guitar. Great vox. The other guitars fade in. Matt has added a little bit of a tom-based fill to the "oh the lights of the city" bit. Builds up nicely to the chorus, which is more poppy here. The emotion is strong in this track and delivered well.

10. Wasted Reprise

Not as experimental as you might think. Just Ed and organ and piano maybe. "I'm never going back again..."

11. Army Reprise

Might be a grower, but if there's a hook it didn't jump out at me. This sounds reverb-heavy and call me crazy, but made me think of earlier (MUCH earlier) Pearl Jam due to the sound.

12. Come Back

Pretty song based around 2-3 chords, I'm guessing there's a D and a G but who knows, it's all a blur. A slow dancing ballad with 50's style, and a simple Mike solo. Can't go wrong with this one.

13. Inside Job

Fade in again. Instantly reminds me of Gone. Downbeat with acoustic guitar, a feedback drenched guitar, piano. Instrumental lasts for ages. Picks up later into the song, and ends with a flurry of cool effects.

They didn't leave it on long enough for the secret track.