The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

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snowman
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by snowman »

leadguitar_85 wrote:One listen through - this really saddens me. There is some really beautiful songwriting here...but it's buried beneath this fuzzy, muddy mountain of noise. Why? Why did anyone think it was a good idea to make it sound like this? There are some tracks that had the potential to be really, really great...but there is no nuance. There is no dynamic variance. There is no room for virtuosity - only noise. What an ugly coat for what could have been such a beautiful body of work.

Sad.
Just finished my first listen and I had similar thoughts. Now I'm going through and listening to some songs again, and the second time through is a little better. The first time through there's just so much to get your head around, that it's a little overwhelming. This is definitely going to take a lot of listens to really get what's going on in all of these songs.

Overall I'm loving it, but I wish parts of it were mixed better. Still a solid album though! And I'm sure it will keep growing on me with more listens! :headbang

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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

Guys I have some pretty thought provoking things to say about the lyrics so I'm going to post them in the lyrics thread. Be right back.
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Raven
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

Felypesh wrote:
AB23 wrote:
Felypesh wrote:Myles harmonizing before 'This Side Of Fate' solo is like the highest note he has ever recorded right? :wtf
haha no way. Absolutely no way.

I'd say that Myles has hit that note or higher on about 5 or 6 Mayfield 4 songs. Probably in WDTTW too.
But I'm talking about the second voice not the main, listen again.

I agree with u its def up there and its magical,and yes I've heard and own everything Mayfield Four has ever done

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Lukeage »

The standouts really stand out.

The ones that don't stand out, really just don't stand out.

Favourites are:
- The Other Side
- Crows on a Wire
- Poison in Your Veins
- Island of Fools
- Last of our Kind

Total failures...
- Twilight
- You Will Be Remembered
- Show me a Leader

Average/indecisive... The rest of the album.

#sad

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

AB23 wrote:
leadguitar_85 wrote:One listen through - this really saddens me. There is some really beautiful songwriting here...but it's buried beneath this fuzzy, muddy mountain of noise. Why? Why did anyone think it was a good idea to make it sound like this? There are some tracks that had the potential to be really, really great...but there is no nuance. There is no dynamic variance. There is no room for virtuosity - only noise. What an ugly coat for what could have been such a beautiful body of work.

Sad.
Can you give examples, because I've said the same thing and I want to know if we're on the same wavelength here.

The build up in Writing on the Wall is one that just turns around and poops on your face when the chorus comes around. It's absolutely awful.

I absolutely love that and love the song, in fact this will be the only AB album where i don't skip a single song

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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

I still feel like Summergirl or 12/31 are just as high or higher.

Kind of strange that, if you want to make a mark on a song, you completely layer the highest note he hits on the entire album so it's more difficult to fully appreciate the note.

I don't know why they let Elvis talk them into doing that. I just hate it every time they do it.
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FlyingMonkey97
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by FlyingMonkey97 »

AB23 wrote:
leadguitar_85 wrote:One listen through - this really saddens me. There is some really beautiful songwriting here...but it's buried beneath this fuzzy, muddy mountain of noise. Why? Why did anyone think it was a good idea to make it sound like this? There are some tracks that had the potential to be really, really great...but there is no nuance. There is no dynamic variance. There is no room for virtuosity - only noise. What an ugly coat for what could have been such a beautiful body of work.

Sad.
Can you give examples, because I've said the same thing and I want to know if we're on the same wavelength here.

The build up in Writing on the Wall is one that just turns around and poops on your face when the chorus comes around. It's absolutely awful.
I actually enjoy most of the album (I'm coming from a heavy metal background, not a MF4/Creed background) but I'm not getting into that.

Yeah the production sucks on a few songs, combined with some really lazy riffs it just turns into a wall of noise. I'm thinking Writing, Poison, and Patience that are the worst. Lots of moments in these songs that are just overpowering (in a bad way)

To end on a positive, my favorites are Other Side, Cradle, Crows, Island, Hero, and Symphony. Lots of other decent songs mixed in.

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

AB23 wrote:I still feel like Summergirl or 12/31 are just as high or higher.

Kind of strange that, if you want to make a mark on a song, you completely layer the highest note he hits on the entire album so it's more difficult to fully appreciate the note.

I don't know why they let Elvis talk them into doing that. I just hate it every time they do it.
I think Reign over me is Myles crowning jewel vocally

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

AB23 wrote:I still feel like Summergirl or 12/31 are just as high or higher.

Kind of strange that, if you want to make a mark on a song, you completely layer the highest note he hits on the entire album so it's more difficult to fully appreciate the note.

I don't know why they let Elvis talk them into doing that. I just hate it every time they do it.

Really stands out with a good pair of headphones doesn't sound like a wall of sound to my ears,but I'm am still youngish lol

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

AB23 wrote:I still feel like Summergirl or 12/31 are just as high or higher.

Kind of strange that, if you want to make a mark on a song, you completely layer the highest note he hits on the entire album so it's more difficult to fully appreciate the note.

I don't know why they let Elvis talk them into doing that. I just hate it every time they do it.
I think Reign over me is Myles crowning jewel vocally

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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

Reigns over me is another one. Mercy Rub too.
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Ashlee
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Ashlee »

AB23 wrote:Guys I have some pretty thought provoking things to say about the lyrics so I'm going to post them in the lyrics thread. Be right back.
Sorry about that! We are moving some threads around and trying to do some general board matenience. While I could sense the sarcasm, I'd encourage you to discuss any particularly poignant lyrics in this thread.
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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

ashlee you can't win me over that way. I'm too hard to get.
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Ashlee
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Ashlee »

Also, off topic posts have been removed. If you have something to talk to the moderators about, feel free to PM one directly.
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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

Still haven't broken through yet.
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Them Bones
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Them Bones »

I'll give this album a 6/10, only because its AB and I can't imagine rating them any lower.

The guys are full of talent, no denying, their musicianship cannot be doubted, but for my personal tastes their songwriting is deteriorating.

I like The Other Side. Yet to listen to Breathe and I cannot wait to. I think we are going to get the album in India in some time probably with all the bonus tracks.

issues with the album:
-generic modern rock sound
- over produced
-repetitive lyrics from their entire career.
- lack of dynamics
- misuse of Myles' voice. I can't wait for Myles' solo album just to hear his voice again.


I was really hoping for an AB album that was less noisy, heavy in content. I get what AB23 and few others are saying about the album. Liking a band's early era doesn't mean fans want the same music over and over again, but forced progression can be bad, loosing your identity to prove something to critics probably ain't a great idea.


Awaiting another album cycle from these guys. No offence to anyone, Elvis is like family for them, but I think they should branch out and do an album with a different producer just to change things up a little.
Over thinking, over analyzing, separates my body from my mind..

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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

Pretty much on the last one. I didn't say it explicitly because that tends to create hostility, but I'm about tired of Elvis.
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Raven
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by Raven »

This is my fav AB album i enjoy every song.The only 2 songs that i don't love is My Champion and You will be remembered but i still wouldn't skip them.I think Cradle,This Side of Fate,Island of Fools and the truly epic The Last Hero are some of the best ever put together songs.I also think that Losing Patience might be the most underrated song of the album love the unusual riffing the catchy as hell chorus and the awesome bridge.

Myles also has more input on this album than any others def more solo's the 1 from TSOF and TLH are sublime and his vocal performances on Cradle and TSOF also The Other Side is why he is my fav vocalist.You don't just have to sing in a constant low range to be a good singer and that imo is what made One Day Remains kind of monotonous to me he sounded the same in every single song on that album.[Yes i know thats going to be unpopular]

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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by austinjhnsn »

Me too. Bring in Nolly from Periphery to actually make them SOUND good. I think the guys should self produce for once maybe... nahhh maybe not.
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Thanks Timo!

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AB23
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Re: The Last Hero - AB Nation Discussion

Post by AB23 »

I honestly wish they'd just keep it real and play what they record. Not too much production necessary.

The ODR sound is a more genuine sound that showcases each individual band member's talents. When you stack 3 Myles pitches on top of each other, I think you really take away the point of him being a great singer.
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