That said, I can only harken back to the first year after Pretend to Fall came out, when almost every review talked about what a mish-mash it was and how the good songs were buried in amongst a bunch of crap and filler. Now everyone feels that way about the new record…

I wish I could ask every person who heard the record this year to just give it time, because it’s all in there the same or better than Pretend to Fall. Ultimatum Redux is just as good as the original version, it’s just that the narrator, (with the same thoughts), is gleeful, even ecstatic, rather than wistful. Haven’t you ever felt wistful AND ecstatic at the same break-up? Most of our songs try to capture both feelings at the same time; for Ultimatum I thought I’d spread it over two versions. I can understand liking one version better than another, but it doesn’t mean the other one’s a failure of concept.

As for “over production”, when I hear that term I think of people, (and indie-rockers a-plenty!) who punch-in every line of a vocal to get it “right”, or who sample every snare and kick-drum hit to make it perfect. We usually go with the first or second take of every tune, and my vocals are done all in one pass. I admit we sometimes throw the kitchen sink at a song, but I would call that “going overboard” rather than “over-producing”. It’s probably an unimportant semantic distinction for the lay music writer, but it was my first production job and I’m proud of it. Besides, all our records are headphoneaphonic in the extreme.

But thanks for caring enough about us to write and comment on us. Seriously. I should probably keep my own website updated rather than clog your comments section with my defensive over-thinking. Still, it’s inspiring to me that you’re having a conversation about our record and I wanted to weigh in.

Thanks
John

On the whole, though, I still think it’s a much, much better record than in most of indie rock, and Roderick is a brilliant songwriter and damn fine performer. Like you, I just found this album disappointing. Unlike the other two, I can’t listen to it all the way through as easily and as satisfyingly. On the other records, I felt like I was getting inside someone’s thoughts, and on this record, I feel like Roderick is trying on different perspectives. I appreciate that he is pushing himself lyrically and musically, but I guess I don’t think it all works.

I will say that though I like the solo version of “Car Parts,” I still love the full band version. Can’t say the same for “Ultimatum.”

I will also say that I think even if this record isn’t the best Roderick has done lyrically, it is still heads and shoulders above the lyrics that Jeff Tweedy has been putting out recently (see “Theologians”).

but then Roderick added more instruments, and forgot the power of his words. I think so, anyway. “Pushover” is a good song, but is not as timeless as the original “Ultimatum.” (none of the LP’s songs are, really. Are they?) “Pushover” feels like a passable late 90’s track that is better than Barenaked Ladies, but not as good as, I don’t know, Wilco?

and you spelled “to” wrong in this post, Mr. Copy Editor At Heart. Seek and ye’ shall find.

=)

i love this blog, and i love magnolia, and i want the next (after “Fading Trails”) album to take a good hard look at what made the self-titled LP so damn amazing. Where are songs like “Riding With A Ghost” nowadays? All but vanished. And “Just Be Simple”? I “like” a lot of the newer stuff (and the EP had shining moments), but tell Molina he doesn’t need to save all his singer-songwriter prowess for his solo stuff hahaha.

and more slide guitar!!! make me FEEL it in my soul.

ok end rant.

…ryan

And you know? I think no matter what I’d like the original “Ultimatum” better, because there are other songs (like “Car Parts”) that I like better when it’s Roderick solo or nearly solo.

So yeah.

I wonder about Ultimatum … I mean, I love the original. And I have a hard time with the new one. But maybe b/c we’re so used to the original? Like what if the new one were the original? Would we like that better? Hmmmm.

And thank you for not capitalizing “the” in “the Long Winters” in mid-sentence. That makes this copy editor happy.