3. "Cool song but sounds like a variation of Leave The Door Open" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Nov-05-21 07:29 PM by Boogie Stimuli
Similar chord progressions and such. I need a different flavor from them at this point or just drop the entire album and give people the whole plate instead of trying to stretch this particular sound so far.
Kinda seems like the thing that's supposed to make this cool is the fact that they're saying "this bitch" in a song styled from an era where folks didn't curse in songs. Cheap novelty bullshit.
14. "exactly. and honestly, i'm tired of the cussing. " In response to Reply # 4
Like the timeless sound and hearing bitch, shit and stuff that wasn't ever found in the era of music they are emulating is getting tired.
That's why the music back then is so timeless. If I wanted to hear dudes cussing over a laid back funky sound, i'd just listen to 90's west coast rap. ______________________________________________________________________________
25. "Where did I say that? I can more easily go a 30 min stretch on a road tr..." In response to Reply # 23 Wed Nov-10-21 09:35 AM by FLUIDJ
listening to The Groove station on Sirius without having to skip forward or switch stations vs. a standard modern R&B...sorry..."Urban"(smh) station....That's just facts. Y'all being obtuse.... Know good and damn well what I mean....
In the 80's you might have had a few songs on the radio... (RADIO!) with some suggestive subject and lyrics but they were well enough crafted that an average 5-9 year old wouldn't have a clue or even be keyed in enough to notice.....at least I didn't..
VS today....
"Get ready....for your blessing....." "Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"
76. "The B word on Smoking ruins it" In response to Reply # 14
Raphael Saadiq put out a pretty good throwback album in 08, “The Way I See It,” that does what Silk Sonic appears to be trying to do, but from an earlier era. I don’t think they have the songwriting chops (lyrically) to put off retro yet. Maybe they will improve with the second album tho
5. "On the one hand...it's cool, on the other it seems like a waste of talen..." In response to Reply # 0 Mon Nov-08-21 11:28 AM by FLUIDJ
It seems like something that probably shouldn't be getting the level of praise and attention that it's getting because both of these dudes got much better stuff in their catalogue and the potential to deliver much more innovative and higher quality product.
I'll drop in some old Cameo or The Time or D Train before I'd play this on repeat though.... all the "bitch" stuff is a bit extra too....I'll be pleased when we finally move beyond this derogatory language honestly....
"Get ready....for your blessing....." "Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"
6. "Oh we're getting the album for sure, but.." In response to Reply # 0
I feel the criticisms about the parody.
I get it.. They are probably having a great fun time with this, but aside from the meme-ability/gif-bait that is Bruno over-anunciating "this bitch" or Paak falling down and getting right back up to continue his part and more cigarette smoking than a Netflix movie, it's not too memorable because like someone else said above, it's too similar to Leave the Door Open.
then again, a bunch of Switch songs sound the extremely similar. Delphonics. Stylistics. Same w/the Gap Band. SOS Band, too.
I just think this pairing benefits Bruno more than Paak. I mean.. in terms of visibility and pop appeal, yes it benefits Paak, but creatively speaking? Paak got Bruno out of his writers block. I feel like Paak traditionally shows his influences, but he usually comes with something new.. his own shit. Bruno's shit is basically high-level cosplay/karaoke at this point.
15. "I don't follow him like that....I've heard his stuff...initially thought..." In response to Reply # 13
Bilal knockoff.... I've gotten past that though... But still...I said what I said...still stand by it.. Heck...maybe it's Bruno fcking up the whole setup for me... *shrugs* But they are presenting as a unit...so not really understanding how y'all are singling out Paak only in defense of this project.......
"Get ready....for your blessing....." "Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"
Both songs are from the film event of 2020, Trolls World Tour. Don't sleep on the film, it's absolutely NUTS. they play Patsy Cline AND Curtis Mayfield in a movie targeted at 9 year olds.
22. "they're gimmicky to me, like they are novelty singles" In response to Reply # 8
"Hey, lets ape some throwback 1977 loverman grooves..thatl'l get the people goin!"
>if you find a way to complain about two world-class musicians >having a fucking ball, i don't know what'll ever get you >going. > >this is musically complex and just fun as hell. that's a rare >combo and I can't wait for the full album.
29. "Yeah so the album is pretty fire" In response to Reply # 0
Solid 8/10 I think Skate and Smokin weren't the best choice in singles to follow LTDO and the way those tracks are spaced out in the tracklisting was a good move. There's definitely more variation in sound than those three would lead one to believe. But still a lot of similar chord progressions across the tracklisting.
After last night is an early favorite. Basically their version of Between The Sheets.
And I still think LTDO is too polished.
--
"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."
32. "I think thats the point" In response to Reply # 29
It's still gritty but essentially overall this project was always going to be Bruno Mars polished as thats how they have always created their music. Their music is polished and on a different level that Peak could never do on his own. I want more albums from them, this is such a great album and great blend of everyones talent.
33. "Mars on another level than Paak?!?! LOL then SMH. " In response to Reply # 32
My take away is that Paak needs to make more music with cats like Knxwledge because this easy listening stuff is for the doctor's office waiting room and I blame Bruno Mars.
>It's still gritty but essentially overall this project was >always going to be Bruno Mars polished as thats how they have >always created their music. Their music is polished and on a >different level that Peak could never do on his own. I want >more albums from them, this is such a great album and great >blend of everyones talent.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
35. "It's meh....I wish Mark Ronson would've got involved in this project" In response to Reply # 0
It's way pretentious and too polished for me. I feel this project needed a little more rawness to match Anderson's gritty vocals. Almost every song sounds like little "That's What I Likes". LOL
45. "RE: It's meh....I wish Mark Ronson would've got involved in this project" In response to Reply # 35
I think it's missing Phillip Lawrence (Bruno's right hand)
Phil isnt on any of this and I hope it isnt a sign that him and bruno arent rockin anymore. Their combination is imo what makes the Bruno projects special since much of their songwriting journey in the industry was together.
Double 0 DJ/Producer/Artist Producer in Kidz In The Hall ------------------------------------------- twitter: @godouble0 IG: @godouble0 www.thinklikearapper.com
I am thinking people who love love this album probably aren't deep into the bag of what Anderson Paak is capable of.
I am a big fan of Bruno Mars. he makes good music I can listen to with kids and much older adults. We even had a good ass discussion in the Lesson years back about Bruno Mars and Paak's ability to be a huge Pop star (and one of the biggest things holding him back is his not family friendly content) that lightweight predicted Paak's pop fame run.
But if this is how Paak makes his run for Pop stardom I got to say I'm a bit disappointed because this music is just boring to me. Easy Listening. I was excited about this duo because I wanted to see Bruno Mars gravitate to more of a Paak sound, not the other way around. But as Mars being the bigger star, I can see how this can work out for him, but its not for me.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
46. "I have two of Anderson .Paak's albums and I don't think" In response to Reply # 37
he has any song that's more appropriate as a radio single than Leave The Door Open. I dont want to say better because that's more subjective (but I personally would say he does nor have any song better than LTDO.)
At first pass it seems like he is benefitting from Bruno's experience creating singles for widespread, popular consumption. These are focused singles that will be popular, cookout/wedding reception type songs. He doesn't have a single song like that in his solo work.
55. "I'm also a fan of Paak..." In response to Reply # 47
and nothing on here is hitting like "Suede" or "King James" to me... or even The Chase The instrumentation is more complex with Silk Sonic, but unfortunately that doesn't solely equal better songs. I personally like how Paak's music mostly sounds fresh and has a personality of it's own. Whereas most of The Lesson called Silk Sonic "too polished", I tend to just think it sounds like artists painting by numbers inside the lines of what came before them. It's all opinions tho.*shrug*
63. "I am almost 100% with you except the "more complex" part. " In response to Reply # 55
Yes Silk Sonic has better musicians as far as folks who can play instruments better, but I don't necessarily believe having musicians who are better at playing instruments makes for more complex music.
For example, this discussion reminds me a lot of what happened to Prince. Prince was able to assemble some of the best live musicians towards the end of his life, people who could probably play instruments with more technical proficiency. But his best work was with the Revolution, or just him alone in a studio trying new stuff with new equipment.
That is, I don't think any of the drums on Prince's last 5 albums are as interesting, innovative or complex as the programmed drums on If I was Your Girlfriend.
>and nothing on here is hitting like "Suede" or "King James" >to me... or even The Chase >The instrumentation is more complex with Silk Sonic, but >unfortunately that doesn't solely equal better songs. I >personally like how Paak's music mostly sounds fresh and has a >personality of it's own. Whereas most of The Lesson called >Silk Sonic "too polished", I tend to just think it sounds like >artists painting by numbers inside the lines of what came >before them. >It's all opinions tho.*shrug*
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
66. "I just mean from a compositional standpoint" In response to Reply # 63
A lot of chords involved with what Silk Sonic is doing. As a producer, it's a lot easier (for me personally) to compose with singular notes or samples than to compose chords on multiple instruments without clashing. Silk Sonic's music is fuller than the vast majority of Paak's solo work, because the compositions aren't as simple, even though that doesn't make them better. Kind of how Quincy Jones once asked what Kanye West knows about composing an orchestra down to the piccolos. It's a completely different kind of musical knowledge that very few in pop music has these days. People here hated on Quincy for saying that, but I'm 1000% sure he's correct in assuming Ye couldn't do that to save his life. I'm also sure that knowledge doesn't make a person's music better, but they do have a right to say their work in more complex imo.
69. "I hear you. I just think people tend to think of sampling as less" In response to Reply # 66
"complicated" as live instrumentation. I just don't believe that. What Jay Dilla was doing with sampling was as complicated as playing music with instruments.
I definitely think Kayne can't do what Quincy does, but Quincy can't do what Kanye does.
>A lot of chords involved with what Silk Sonic is doing. As a >producer, it's a lot easier (for me personally) to compose >with singular notes or samples than to compose chords on >multiple instruments without clashing. Silk Sonic's music is >fuller than the vast majority of Paak's solo work, because the >compositions aren't as simple, even though that doesn't make >them better. >Kind of how Quincy Jones once asked what Kanye West knows >about composing an orchestra down to the piccolos. It's a >completely different kind of musical knowledge that very few >in pop music has these days. People here hated on Quincy for >saying that, but I'm 1000% sure he's correct in assuming Ye >couldn't do that to save his life. I'm also sure that >knowledge doesn't make a person's music better, but they do >have a right to say their work in more complex imo.
********** "Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
71. "RE: I hear you." In response to Reply # 69 Tue Nov-16-21 10:25 AM by Boogie Stimuli
> I just think people tend to think of sampling as less >"complicated" as live instrumentation. I just don't believe >that. >What Jay Dilla was doing with sampling was as >complicated as playing music with instruments.
That's where we'll have to agree to disagree, because I do both, and sampling the instrumentation is way less complicated that actually playing the instruments... especially if we're talking about an orchestra.
> >I definitely think Kayne can't do what Quincy does, but Quincy >can't do what Kanye does.
Well... first, Quincy has no need to sample when he creates music that others sample lol. That's the whole reason sampling started in the first place was lack of ability to create the music. The ability to create without limits really does make it unnecessary. But also, if Kanye was going to learn to read music and compose an entire orchestra, and Quincy was going to learn to sample, who do you think would take longer? QUincy could learn to sample in a week... a month tops. Kanye would take years. In fact, not even Prince composed his own strings as much of a genius as he was. Hell he didn't even play is own horns, because playing a horn ALONE is complicated. The intricacy of playing a violin ALONE is hard to compare to sampling, and these are just single instruments in entire bands that folks chop or put on a loop. It's not comparable.
50. "Album is a lot of fun " In response to Reply # 0
LOL@okayplayers analyzing the music It’s a good time Throw it on on a Friday night and enjoy yourself It’s actually impressive that they made something this good in such a short period of time I’m not even sure they intended to do more than LTDO But this sounds great.
62. "you calling this innovative is WILD." In response to Reply # 59
this is a great album but lets not pretend this is anything more than some Shalamar/Leroy Hutson karaoke. Its really ok! A great time. Beautiful gowns.
"They used to call me Baby Luke....but now? The whole damn 2 Liiiive Crew."
67. "The problem is the new "innovative" stuff all too often is lacking" In response to Reply # 59 Mon Nov-15-21 02:01 PM by Teknontheou
in terms of being complete songs.
I can't think of too many releases I've heard in the last say, 15 years, either mainstream or more underground, that are full, complete songs.
ETA: Even the stuff I think that sometimes achieves that, or comes close, like KING, they only do it sometimes. Alot of what they do falls closer to "beats" than full songs. The best "song" they did or wrote was The Moon, for Corinne Bailey Rae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iibMNsSRCE And even that isn't far off from the kind of thing Bruno has been doing for the last 7 or 8 years. I like 95% of their music alot, but I want to hear real songs too.
People, especially us, apparently, are hungry for that. It turns out that's it's taking the form of 70s/80s/early 90s nostalgia, but it's something.
I suspect Bruno's next project might be to continue writing full songs but with a more modern sonic texture.
65. "I’ve had Blast Off on repeat all weekend…" In response to Reply # 0
Love the album. It’s a bit short, and a couple of the songs are a touch too similar to each other or previous Bruno joints, but definitely a good, fun, enjoyable album overall.
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