Music Forum's Favourite Albums Vol. 13 - mewithoutYou's "Brother, Sister"

[IWasaCamera]

http://blzjames.powweb.com/mwycover.jpg

#28: mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister

Congrats to Micah on reaching 10k. Honor his trivial accomplishment by discussing Brother, Sister. General impressions first, specified topics (which I'll let Micah introduce since I don't care for this band) later.

Thoughts?

[micahistheballs]

Haha, as most people around here know, this is my favourite record of all time. The lyrics are phenomenal and the way Aaron Weiss presents them is amazing as well. The music is really just a backdrop for his delivery and it's flawless as well. Great, great record.

[IWasaCamera]

I wasn't aware actually. :shrug:

Can see why you wanted me to make it tonight then.

[Until The Bombs]

Is it forgivable that I once skipped out on mwY's set because I only came to see Machester Orchestra?

[micahistheballs]

Ah, well, a lot of people do haha. I see them next week so since this was next, I figured I'd request it.

[wewascontenders]

Great album. Certainly mewithoutYou's best. Not a track on it that I don't enjoy.

[micahistheballs]

Is it forgivable that I once skipped out on mwY's set because I only came to see Machester Orchestra?
Not at all. Seeing them live is quite the experience. One of the best live bands today.

[Kid B]

I haven't ever listened to this band. I like Micah so I will tomorrow.

Also, Vinh, you need to make these threads more!

[Until The Bombs]

Not at all. Seeing them live is quite the experience. One of the best live bands today.

I slightly regret it. Crowds, however, bother me. I've never really listened to them besides a few songs, but I liked those songs.

[IWasaCamera]

I'm far exceeding the pace of the classic album threads. That's enough.

[HangsLikeHeaven]

I enjoy the artwork and the band's name. Other than that... a big :shrug:.

[x togepi x]

this is their worst album

[micahistheballs]

Great album. Certainly mewithoutYou's best. Not a track on it that I don't enjoy.
Good man Greg.

Those results were quick! Thank you very much.

[IWasaCamera]

togepi just served up a lob. Address his post at once.

[x togepi x]

go ahead and "address it" since i own everything they've released i'll be more than fine with it. musically the first is the best. lyrically the second is. i didn't say i didn't like this one because i obviously gone out and purchased all the mwy vinyl when that dropped last fall if i didn't

[Until The Bombs]

^^^ I was thinking the same thing.

Edit: in response to IwasaCamera's post.

[micahistheballs]

I haven't ever listened to this band. I like Micah so I will tomorrow.

Also, Vinh, you need to make these threads more!

Yeah, definitely look into this more haha.

I slightly regret it. Crowds, however, bother me. I've never really listened to them besides a few songs, but I liked those songs.

That makes sense. I'd look into them more if you liked it.

this is their worst album

Do you like their other albums at all? Why do you think this one's so bad?

[x togepi x]

Do you like their other albums at all? Why do you think this one's so bad?

see: my last post. i don't think it's "bad", i just think it's not as good as the others. for one reason being that the interludes (all that spider-leaf nonsense) breaks up the flow of the album. i think the struggles with christianity found in the first two albums are more compelling lyrically than whats in the last one, though the references to st. francis's thinking is something more christian bands should do.

[IWasaCamera]

go ahead and "address it" since i own everything they've released i'll be more than fine with it. musically the first is the best. lyrically the second is. i didn't say i didn't like this one because i obviously gone out and purchased all the mwy vinyl when that dropped last fall if i didn't
Never claimed otherwise. Your post seemed like a sure conversation-starter, that's all.

[micahistheballs]

go ahead and "address it" since i own everything they've released i'll be more than fine with it. musically the first is the best. lyrically the second is. i didn't say i didn't like this one because i obviously gone out and purchased all the mwy vinyl when that dropped last fall if i didn't
I think that it's their best musically and lyrically. A->B Life seems a bit sloppy to me at times and not as creative. All three of their releases have absolutely stellar lyrics, but this one just seems to stand out the most to me. I love all 3 records, but I think this is definitely their best work so far.

[micahistheballs]

see: my last post. i don't think it's "bad", i just think it's not as good as the others. for one reason being that the interludes (all that spider-leaf nonsense) breaks up the flow of the album. i think the struggles with christianity found in the first two albums are more compelling lyrically than whats in the last one, though the references to st. francis's thinking is something more christian bands should do.
I can understand that about the Spider songs and won't disagree with you. I think they form a nice little bridge between all the songs and what not and since they mostly blend into and out of each other, it's not as bad as it would be otherwise.

Lyrically, it's not as much about the struggles that is true and while he had some great lyrics on their first two records, I love the whole metaphysical and philosophical viewpoint he goes from on this record.

[x togepi x]

I think that it's their best musically and lyrically. A->B Life seems a bit sloppy to me at times and not as creative. All three of their releases have absolutely stellar lyrics, but this one just seems to stand out the most to me. I love all 3 records, but I think this is definitely their best work so far.

their first sounds like a mixture of many different styles of post-hardcore and metalcore which i think is quite creative, especially for the time period it came out in. i mean the album came out in 2002, which was before a lot of their sound was bastardized in the mainstream, so you can't really fault it for sounding dated. sloppiness comes from the style of music they played, you can't have it being that polished.

[micahistheballs]

their first sounds like a mixture of many different styles of post-hardcore and metalcore which i think is quite creative, especially for the time period it came out in. i mean the album came out in 2002, which was before a lot of their sound was bastardized in the mainstream, so you can't really fault it for sounding dated. sloppiness comes from the style of music they played, you can't have it being that polished.
I guess that's true. I didn't get into them until Catch For Us The Foxes came out. I heard them back in 2002, but thought they were obnoxious and terrible then haha. So i don't have much context for the music scene when that came out.

[intensified]

This album makes me disgustingly happy.

That is all.

[hailthewarrior]

I adore this album, and if I sat down and tried and figured out where it fell in my favorites list, it'd be in the top 15, easily.

As for where it stands in their amazing discography, well, that really depends on what type of music you like and where your appreciation lies. I think it's their best by preference, but there's no denying how "new" A-->B Life was when it was released, and how they took that newness, and made it accessible on Catch For Us The Foxes.

I think with this band, the thing that sticks is consistancy with content, lyrically and musically, and just how... solid they are. I don't think it's possible to be let down by them.

Aaron Weiss is easily my favorite lyricist, and one of the best currently in the scene.

[downtotheriver]

I'm the hugest mwY fanboy ever...

All three albums are great, I like Brother, Sister best.

[hockeyguitar99]

i hate that i still haven't picked this up :hitself:

[micahistheballs]

I'm the hugest mwY fanboy ever...

All three albums are great, I like Brother, Sister best.
Too bad the Johnson isn't here to join in on the fun.
Is mewithoutYou playing Friday night?

[x togepi x]

I can understand that about the Spider songs and won't disagree with you. I think they form a nice little bridge between all the songs and what not and since they mostly blend into and out of each other, it's not as bad as it would be otherwise.

Lyrically, it's not as much about the struggles that is true and while he had some great lyrics on their first two records, I love the whole metaphysical and philosophical viewpoint he goes from on this record.

lyrically i think they stumble on the last album by going into the whole "god is awesome!" mode. yeah they're a christian band, but it was the whole struggle aspect that i think made them stand out (lyrically). i think that's what made them such a subversive band in christian music because most christian bands basically just act like everything will be great when you accept jesus, and here's a dude yelling about how things still suck, but he still has faith.

i think the problem with going the more philosophical route on the last one is that a lot of the ideas he was putting out there didn't translate well enough into the music. i'm not going to accuse him of dumbing down the philosophy, but having read what i'd assume a lot of this album was based on, i feel like there's a lot more to it than he said. of course, that's what happens when you try to write songs like this, and i think maybe this will be fixed in the later albums since there's a lot for him to be writing about. i just hope he doesn't drop the whole st. francis angle so soon.

[hailthewarrior]

Too bad the Johnson isn't here to join in on the fun.
Is mewithoutYou playing Friday night?

Midnight, July 4th. :epic:

[micahistheballs]

lyrically i think they stumble on the last album by going into the whole "god is awesome!" mode. yeah they're a christian band, but it was the whole struggle aspect that i think made them stand out (lyrically). i think that's what made them such a subversive band in christian music because most christian bands basically just act like everything will be great when you accept jesus, and here's a dude yelling about how things still suck, but he still has faith.

i think the problem with going the more philosophical route on the last one is that a lot of the ideas he was putting out there didn't translate well enough into the music. i'm not going to accuse him of dumbing down the philosophy, but having read what i'd assume a lot of this album was based on, i feel like there's a lot more to it than he said. of course, that's what happens when you try to write songs like this, and i think maybe this will be fixed in the later albums since there's a lot for him to be writing about. i just hope he doesn't drop the whole st. francis angle so soon.
Yeah, I see what you mean and I agree for the most part, but I don't view it as much as a stumble, but progression. I think even throughout the album it's not really a "god is awesome" thing, but that the main theme is "there is hope". I think he still admits how bad he is and how things are messed up, but he's just more optimistic about the end outcome here.

Aaron Weiss is really just an odd guy when it comes down to it haha.

[micahistheballs]

Midnight, July 4th. :epic:
Technically July 5th I believe haha.
I see Bradley to kick of my 4th of July. both shows will be :epic:

[hailthewarrior]

Technically July 5th I believe haha.
I see Bradley to kick of my 4th of July. both shows will be :epic:

Technically, but they're on July 4th's schedule.
The Chariot is even more of an epic way to start it off, but you're obligated now, sucker.

[hailthewarrior]

I'm so excited to hear the two new songs they're playing right now Wednesday night when I see them. The feel of the songs and the eccentricness of Aaron on stage really lend more to the music live, I must say.

[micahistheballs]

Technically, but they're on July 4th's schedule.
The Chariot is even more of an epic way to start it off, but you're obligated now, sucker.
Bradley's new stuff is better than anything the Chariot's ever done. There, I said it.
And I'm the only person who's heard the recorded versions so I win

They're playing new songs!?!? Score!

[hailthewarrior]

Bradley's new stuff is better than anything the Chariot's ever done. There, I said it.
And I'm the only person who's heard the recorded versions so I win

They're playing new songs!?!? Score!

Doubtful.

Yup, one in the middle and one in the encore of all the setlists I've seen. He's also doing random, free-verse poetry sections I've heard too.

[micahistheballs]

Doubtful.

Yup, one in the middle and one in the encore of all the setlists I've seen. He's also doing random, free-verse poetry sections I've heard too.
Trust me. It's amazing. You'll see Garrett.

Awesome. Sounds intriguing. They have an hour and a half to play at Cornerstone so it should rule.
A friend of mine saw them last week and they played an acoustic set.

[hailthewarrior]

Trust me. It's amazing. You'll see Garrett.

Awesome. Sounds intriguing. They have an hour and a half to play at Cornerstone so it should rule.
A friend of mine saw them last week and they played an acoustic set.

Only if you up it for me, I haven't heard anything he's released since "The Boobie Poem"...

I think they're playing 15 or so songs on this tour, so that should be about right for both.

[micahistheballs]

Only if you up it for me, I haven't heard anything he's released since "The Boobie Poem"...

I think they're playing 15 or so songs on this tour, so that should be about right for both.
Hahahaha, the boobie poem brings the lols. But yeah, his new stuff is a lot darker, deeper, and just better overall. His last cd makes the poems look like child's play and the new cd makes the folk one look silly. He's progressed like I can hardly believe.

Awesome. I'm excited to see them obviously.

[hailthewarrior]

Hahahaha, the boobie poem brings the lols. But yeah, his new stuff is a lot darker, deeper, and just better overall. His last cd makes the poems look like child's play and the new cd makes the folk one look silly. He's progressed like I can hardly believe.

Awesome. I'm excited to see them obviously.

Send. Them. To. Me.

Yeah, I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a new mwY shirt when I go... probably will.

[downtotheriver]

Technically, but they're on July 4th's schedule.
The Chariot is even more of an epic way to start it off, but you're obligated now, sucker.+

He's extremely foolish to miss the chariot, I've been telling him to join me with the chariot but he refuses...

[White Noise]

Love this album, probably my favorite of theirs.

[checkered.stars]

This album is good, but not my favorite by this band.

[Fallinto_rhythm]

this is a great album. One of my favorite songs ever has to be The Sun and The Moon.

[IWasaCamera]

The lyrics too are nothing special too. It is extremely easy to write complicated lyrics when they don't have to fit any kind of melody. Doing what someone like the Boss or Dylan does is much harder because they are written into the song. MWY is poetry on the top of music and the two elements always feel disjointed as though they were not written for each other but splashed on top of one another an hour before recording.
Anyone agree/disagree with this?

[jbaseball44]

Average. mewithoutYou do not know how to write actual great songs at all. Not a band album by any means but there's a lot of better music out there than this.

The lyrics too are nothing special too. It is extremely easy to write complicated lyrics when they don't have to fit any kind of melody. Doing what someone like the Boss or Dylan does is much harder because they are written into the song. MWY is poetry on the top of music and the two elements always feel disjointed as though they were not written for each other but splashed on top of one another an hour before recording.

sometimes i get the feeling that maybe it is suposed to sound disjointed and as if they were splashed on top of one another an hour before recording.

overall i like the album, favorite song is "A Glass Can Only Spill What It Contains"

[Dr. Acula]

#1. I dont think I've seen enough paintshop Jokers yet.

#2. I dig this album....probably my favorite out of their catalog. it's not something I come back to alot because the vocals wear on me after awhile but I do think they have something special. I've seen them quite a few times over the years and they are always stellar. Im curious to hear the new tunes and what direction they go in.

[Troggy]

I have and enjoy this record but it is not one of my all time favorites. I get somewhat more enjoyment out of Catch For Us... but I do really like this one as well. I do think it is an above average record and I do really enjoy the lyrics as most people do.

[Osto]

My firstish post on AP.net

Unfortunately I have seen mewithoutyou open for a handful of bands over the years and I just don't see how anyone can buy into their bullshit. The band just strikes me as totally fake and it really annoys me. The music isn't really anything special and the vocalist tries so hard to make it seem like he's tearing himself apart up on the stage. Every time he starts the show being overdressed like being in a winter jacket, hat, scarf, gloves...or maybe even a stupid bunny mask, but it's guarenteed by the end of the show he'll be down to wearing his t shirt and basketball shorts crawling on the floor spouting his incredibly deep and thought provoking lyrics...or whatever they are.

still stand by it.

[hailthewarrior]

Anyone agree/disagree with this?

Disagree entirely. If you go further back into their catalogue the lyrics and music are more disjointed, but that was their style. This album blends his poetry into the music seemlessly. If you look at Messes of Men, the music kicks in when he speeds up, the timing almost always matched the entire album. I could understand that argument with A-->B Life, but with this one it just doesn't hold.

[Regards]

I love this album so much. My favorite by them.

[CellarGhosts]

Anyone agree/disagree with this?
All I've heard is Catch For Us the Foxes, and while I do think it has some terrific lyrics, I just can't get into the music; the songs, etc, itself, and I think this has an affect on my opinion.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

I really love the closing track and the songwriting in the album is pretty impressive.

[kevinrocks409]

This album is amazing. I just listened to it the other night.

[Mirrorsandfevers]

I really enjoy how this album flows very well together.

[Praetor]

Somebody PM me a non-shitty quality version of [A-->B] Life.

[hailthewarrior]

Of course it holds.

What makes the whole deal so stupid is that it's not like their music is actually good on this. It's just really bland, generic as they come indie rock. The one thing differentiating them is Aaron. So why on earth do they not write for Aaron and accentuate what he's doing? Instead they write this crappy music and then throw him on top and he saves it from being another myspace band. Yet if they actually figured out how to write songs properly they'd realise this and actually write for him.

I think they do write for him, dear God, the music fits in sync with flow and delivery. I can think of many words to describe this album, but "boring" and "bland" don't add up to songs like "In A Market Dimly Lit" and "The Dryness and The Rain"...

Somebody PM me a non-shitty quality version of [A-->B] Life.

I think there's a HQ one on Sordo.

[theguy77]

great album, havent had a chance to really become familiar with it, but i was definitely not disappointed the couple listens i had. i love how he delivers his vocals almost like open mic poetry.

[Praetor]

I think they do write for him, dear God, the music fits in sync with flow and delivery. I can think of many words to describe this album, but "boring" and "bland" don't add up to songs like "In A Market Dimly Lit" and "The Dryness and The Rain"...



I think there's a HQ one on Sordo.
There's not, but I found a 192kbps one that will hold me over until I find a high quality one. Thanks though.

[thebrandnewkid]

i love this album. i can just put it on and sit and enjoy every minute of it.

[IWasaCamera]

sometimes i get the feeling that maybe it is suposed to sound disjointed and as if they were splashed on top of one another an hour before recording.
Disagree entirely. If you go further back into their catalogue the lyrics and music are more disjointed, but that was their style. This album blends his poetry into the music seemlessly. If you look at Messes of Men, the music kicks in when he speeds up, the timing almost always matched the entire album. I could understand that argument with A-->B Life, but with this one it just doesn't hold.
Hmm. For those who haven't assessed this issue (music vs lyrics dynamic), who do you feel is right?

[UntilItKillsYou]

Great record, greater live

[Regards]

Hmm. For those who haven't assessed this issue (music vs lyrics dynamic), who do you feel is right?
I feel as though the lyrics fit just right. The music might not be amazing, but the way they fit with the music works. I agree that mewithoutYou is a lyric/vocal driven band, and to bring out those lyrics even further why not write more simple music? I agree that the music is simple, but I think it works beautifully with Weiss's style. I hope that made sense.

[Mskillet90]

This album is an incredible masterpiece of art. Don't hate; appreciate.

[micahistheballs]

Hmm. For those who haven't assessed this issue (music vs lyrics dynamic), who do you feel is right?
I feel that mewithoutYou is very underrated musically. Granted they're not writing phenomenal parts for every song, I feel that the experimentation and the parts they do write go perfectly with the vocals and the lyrics. I don't view there as being any compromise musically so Aaron can do his thing better.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

I haven't really gotten into the album yet but I quite enjoy listening to some tracks of it.

[mattybobviously]

I would rather listen to someone yawning than hear this album. The lyrics are nice on paper, but this does absolutely nothing for me musically.

[Nevuk]

I would rather listen to someone yawning than hear this album. The lyrics are nice on paper, but this does absolutely nothing for me musically.
One of the few times I'll agree with you or the music being an almost detractor from the lyrics. Of course, I have a few things in my way: 1. I hold a deep grudge against christian poetry. Why? Because I can. I've always held it, even back when I first read Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright and became immensely disappointed with the rest of the poem. And that poetry effectively means "rooted in christian spirituality and rhyming" really pisses me off. (I have other stories, if you want them)2. Someone singing something to me makes me think they aren't real. Sorta. It does make musicals hilarious to watch with people cryring while I'm laughing about the fact the extra behind the dying guy had a weird expression on his face. (And yes, mwY does have great lyrics on paper, and I suspect I'd enjoy the live show, it just isn't something I'd go out of my way to experience).

I did kind of like Catch for Us the Foxes, though. Brother, Sister however I can't even see the appeal of.

[summer skin]

A couple good songs, but it's easily their worst album.
[A] to [B] life is their masterpiece

[musicenthusiast]

there is some shit on this album that sends the chills, but nothing like catch for us the foxes. i love both records to death though. when i feel introspective and deep and shit i listen to catch, when i'm just trying to enjoy the moment i put on brother, sister.

[summer skin]

Why do people try to pretend like A to B life doesn't exist?
Silencer > the rest of their discography.

[Cuddleworthy]

Silencer is their best song, second would be In a Sweater Poorly Knit.