Burlap to Cashmere - s/t

[murlough23]

So, basically what RcJ is saying is that he lies for a living.  

Well, he didn't write that press release. (I realize you already know this and you're just funnin'.)

I'm sure it's entirely possible to write truthful press releases... but it's probably tempting to exaggerate or outright make stuff up when trying to come up with reasons why you should have heard of a band you've never heard of. Keeping it truthful usually confines you to saying stuff like "Responsible for the smash #12 hit that swept Tulsa, Oklahoma" or "You may have heard a thirty-second snippet of them in [Insert Craptastic Romantic Comedy and/or WB Drama Here]".

Rhapsody seems to know how to cite the connection to other popular acts of the time, and roughly in the same genre, without making up connections that don't exist:

As groups like The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars and Mumford & Sons put folk back on the pop-culture map, Burlap can slide nicely into that niche.

They probably didn't influence Mumford and the like, but the timing's ripe for them to find an audience within that same niche.

[bloop]

I know he didn't write it, and I was just joking, but marketing in general is just professional embellishment. Could you imagine truth in advertising?

I've never used Rhapsody.

They probably didn't influence Mumford and the like, but the timing's ripe for them to find an audience within that same niche.

I hope so. It makes me happy when I can listen to a rock radio station and not just turn it to the news within a couple minutes.

[murlough23]

Could you imagine truth in advertising?

I know it's naive of me to expect this more than once in a blue moon, but I do applaud it when I find it. If it's a good quality product, you shouldn't have to exaggerate.

I've never used Rhapsody.

Neither have I; I was just reading an article linked from Burlap's Facebook page.

[bloop]

On amazon, I see the one 1 star review of their previous album wanted more CCM-y lyrics on that one. IDK why anyone in his right mind would want something so cookie cutter, but I'm morbidly hoping for his review on this one. 

[murlough23]

On amazon, I see the one 1 star review of their previous album wanted more CCM-y lyrics on that one. IDK why anyone in his right mind would want something so cookie cutter, but I'm morbidly hoping for his review on this one. 

"Right mind" is one hell of an assumption there.

[murlough23]

I re-listened to Anybody Out There? last night, just for comparison. I stand by my original assertion that it's not that CCM-ey. "Basic Instructions", "Anybody Out There?", "Treasures in Heaven", and "Mansions" are the obvious exceptions, and it's understandable why Christian radio latched onto those, but for the most part I feel like the first two of those were intentionally simple on the band's part, more of a repeating mantra to form the basis of a wicked instrumental jam. "Treasures" is different in that it's more low-key and more obviously didactic, but even there, the lyrics take off twists and turns that still cause some head-scratching for me 13 years later. (Also, how did I forget that song had such a lovely guitar solo? Even when it seemed like they were slumming it for Christian radio's sake, these guys had class.) "Mansions" takes a similar approach - obvious overall message, lyrics zig-zag a bit on the way there.

And then you have a few songs that are completely baffling or downright sinister, like "Chop Chop", "Divorce", and "Scenes". So I think the record as a whole is far from a concession to the whims of CCM at the time.

The new material seems to address Christianity obliquely, if at all, but that's more or less unchanged from Steven's solo work. It's hidden if you know how to look for it, but unobtrusive to those who aren't looking for it, I think.

Another observation: Steven Delopoulos sure likes the word "naked".

[RedcoatJones]

Interesting insight into Anybody Out There. It's been a while since I've listened to it. I should go dig it out....

[ewok20t3]

The new album is really great. I've only listened twice so far, so I haven't totally figured out all of my thoughts on the album. I'm just hoping that some of these songs will become the personal classics to me that many of the songs on the first album have, and I think they will. "Tonight" and "Love Reclaims The Atmosphere" are early favorites, although I don't think there's a track on here that I'll love as much as I love "Eileen's Song".

[bloop]

Another observation: Steven Delopoulos sure likes the word "naked".

Don't we all?

Forget digging it out, I need to listen to that one for the first time. Strange I didn't when I first got into SD's solo album. Doing so now.

[ewok20t3]

Forget digging it out, I need to listen to that one for the first time. Strange I didn't when I first got into SD's solo album. Doing so now.

Please post your thoughts after you listen. I'm interested in hearing the thoughts on it from someone who listened to the new one before hearing Anybody Out There?.

[murlough23]

The new album is really great. I've only listened twice so far, so I haven't totally figured out all of my thoughts on the album. I'm just hoping that some of these songs will become the personal classics to me that many of the songs on the first album have, and I think they will. "Tonight" and "Love Reclaims The Atmosphere" are early favorites, although I don't think there's a track on here that I'll love as much as I love "Eileen's Song".

I'm still deciding what my favorite from the first album is, that this one has to beat. For a long while it was "Basic Instructions", but now I've gravitated more toward the songs that balance the dizzylingly cool music with more interesting lyrics... so I don't know. Maybe "Digee Dime" or "Divorce".

"Love Reclaims" is proving itself to be one of my early favorites as well. Also "Build a Wall".

[ewok20t3]

I'm still deciding what my favorite from the first album is, that this one has to beat.

Of the albums that I've been a big fan of for over ten years, there aren't many where I've had the same favorite song for the entire duration of my love for the album, but this is one of them. 

[bloop]

I'm only on "Divorce" right now, but I'll say the more Mediterranean, the better (meaning I really love this one). "Treasures" approaches AC territory a little close for comfort, and some of the synthy segments are almost in elevator territory next to the relatively more aggressive s/t album. Not complaining too much, though - overall, I'm very impressed so far.

*edit* to hell with flow. I need to listen to this one again!

[murlough23]

I'm only on "Divorce" right now, but I'll say the more Mediterranean, the better (meaning I really love this one).

I'll second that!

"Treasures" approaches AC territory a little close for comfort, and some of the synthy segments are almost in elevator territory next to the relatively more aggressive s/t album.

The keyboard stuff does seem at odds with their overall style. Interestingly enough, they had a keyboardist in those days who broke off from the band not too long after, and used his connection to B2C to market what as apparently an extremely synthy solo album that sounded nothing like them, and even hijacked burlaptocashmere.com for a while to advertise it. Needless to say, their relationship did not end well.

But it's worth noting that Delopoulos did some odd synthetic stuff on Me Died Blue, it was more of a background feature than a dominating force, though, so I could understand listening to the album several times without even noticing it.

Overall, I think B2C sounds better without it. They do have a new keyboardist and bass player nowadays, but the keyboardist seems to stick to more acoustic/piano sounds.

[bloop]

Weird. Amazon is selling the CD of the album for less than the mp3s, even if only by a little bit.

[ewok20t3]

Weird. Amazon is selling the CD of the album for less than the mp3s, even if only by a little bit.

That's unusual. Maybe Burlap wants people to buy the CD to get that rad poster that's inside the packaging.

[murlough23]

Weird. Amazon is selling the CD of the album for less than the mp3s, even if only by a little bit.

That's a fun fact to find out AFTER I BOUGHT THE MP3s.

[bloop]

Sorry. I didn't even look at it until now. I've been listening to it via Spotify.

I guess it is worth mentioning that unless you're a prime member, there would be shipping costs associated with the CD.

[murlough23]

Sorry. I didn't even look at it until now. I've been listening to it via Spotify.

I guess it is worth mentioning that unless you're a prime member, there would be shipping costs associated with the CD.

I didn't think it was your responsibility to save me money on this. It's all good.

Honestly time was more of a factor than money. I just wanted to hear it right away. I might still procure an even cheaper used copy of the CD at some point down the line.

[murlough23]

"Santorini" has been stuck in my head all freakin' week. Just wanted to say that.

[murlough23]

Here's my review of the album, finally. Would have finished it earlier, but y'know, vacation and all.

http://www.epinions.com/content_562917248644