I'm only on track three and I really like what I'm hearing so far.

 

There's definetley growth on this record. Her sound has changed quite a bit and she's branched out to using other instruments, too.

 

Gonna need to listen to it in its entirety a couple of times before I can form a proper opinion, but if the rest of the album is as good as the first few tracks then I'll be happy.

I actually really like this album.

 

Favourite songs so far; "Kiss That Grrrl", "Do-Wah-Doo", "Take Me To A Higher Plane", "Early Christmas Present".

 

"Mansion Song" was shocking. Not in a bad way, but the lyrics were just so candid. My mouth literally dropped.

I can't wait to hear this :P I'll wait until I get the album next week as it's not long now. sounds like it should be a laugh. :P

Honestly, I think you'll like it if you go in with an open mind. It's very different from her first album. If you're expecting "Foundations" or "Mouthwash" you will be disappointed. It's indie meets folk meets 60s girl group era all meshed into one sound. There's a bit of punk, a bit of spoken word, etc on there too.

 

I think I'll end up liking this more than her debut - and I LOVED that.

Bizarre on first listen...I definitely get the 'try too hard quirky indie vibe' - Mansion Song was a particular :mellow:

 

I love a few of the more commercial type songs but the 'talky' minimal ones either need to grow, or never will

 

it was certainly an interesting listen though, I know it will grow - I'm not sure that all of the swearing is necessary in all of the places it's used, not one to play at work over the loudspeakers then :(

I love Don't You Want To Share The Guilt?

I love Don't You Want To Share The Guilt?

 

The first line voids what was a pretty good intro.

My scrapbook arrived today.

 

It's pretty cool. Contains letters/poems from her friends & family, a little message from Kate explaining the album, a poster of the album art containing her lyrics on the back, drawings, costume designs, candid pictures of Kate in the studio and stuff, professional pictures of Kate, scanned paper copies of her lyrics & poems, etc aswell as a copy of the album and a bonus DVD which documents the making of her album.

 

All in all, I'm pleased. Whatever people think about her & her music, you

can tell she really cares about what she does. She designed the artwork for the album and made this scrapbook possible for us. She's really 'hands on' and you have to respect that.

Absolutely agree, also the lyric in your signature is my sig on UKMIX, good choice ;)

 

I got my scrapbook today too, it's lovely! only had a chance to listen to track 5 but love so far, esp. Paris..

I've been listening to it non-stop.

 

My favourites at this moment are:

 

- Paris

- Kiss That Grrrl (future single?!)

- Don't You Want To Share The Guilt (probably the best song of her career)

- Do-Wah-Doo

- Take Me To A Higher Plane

- Early Christmas Present

- You Were So Far Away (reminds me of something Kimya Dawson would do)

 

I think this easily tops her debut for me.

I can't WAIT to listen to the rest. It's funny how '..Guilt' has gone from a fourth single b-side to a song a few are describing as her finest hour!

One to wait for Spotify to upload first then?

I'm actually liking it quite a bit, although she still feels a bit fake for some reason.

 

'Kiss That Grrrl' MUST be a single at some point and I love 'Don't You Want To Share the Guilt?'. :wub:

Some of the lyrics are just a bit cringeworthy though, like she's trying that bit too hard to be different/ controversial (see 'Mansion Song').

I can't get into that song. The spoken word part is good, but it's not something I can listen to on repeat and certainly not something I can blast from my speakers, lol.

 

She said she tried writing clever/complex songs but she "just can't", so she sticks with writing really simple songs as she believes she's good at that. I think I'm the same. I listen to Regina's material and I think "wow, how does she come up with this stuff?". It's really hard to write a decent song (or for me it is, at least, lol).

 

But you know, I think if Kate opened up more and worked with more experienced songwriters for her next album, she'd learn so much and would probably be able to improve. She said she's scared of working with other writers though because she doesn't want influence on what she's writing about. It is scary, but it pays off.

I'm very dissapointed tbh... It's a good album, just not great at all. Guilt, Kiss That Grrl, Paris and Do Wah Do are all stunning, but Mansion Song and I Just Love You More are dreadful. It just doesn't live up to the very high standard set by Made Of Bricks

hmm, this is a good album, although a slightly mika-esque disappointment. :( it'll have its time to grow though.

'mansion song' is lol. :lol:

Mansion Song is embarassing.

I don't think it's embarrassing - as a standalone poem. But on a commercial music CD, for me it just doesn't work, and the song after it adds nothing for me either. One of two songs on the album I don't like, the second being I've Got A Secret.

 

Otherwise, very strong and plenty of single options! I think Made of Bricks is more commercial and more consistent and will probably remain my favourite but I'm very happy with this record, just so glad she's back! I really hope it's a top 5 album, if not top 3.

 

Single choices for me could be one of 6 - Kiss That Grrl and Paris would be ideal to be next, Early Christmas Present, Later On and Take Me To A Higher Plane could work too, and I'd round off with Don't You Want To Share The Guilt? - though I've heard someone say they've heard that's coming next. I hope not, I'm not sure it'd work as the next release..?

 

 

Those are what I'd consider as singles.

 

I'm not sure about "Kiss That Grrrl" though because it's another 60s girl groupy type track and we've just had that. Hmm...it's tough because it's not really a commercial album. "Guilt" would give her some credibility.

 

And I like "I've Got A Secret", haha.

 

"I've got a secret I can't tell you. You would juuuuuudge".

this album is growing on me. :heart: 'paris' in particular is amazing, next single please. the closest thing to 'foundations' on there. :wub: