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New Fall At Your Feet video in the style of the recent DDIO and Something So Strong clips, and a written message from the band about racial injustice in America.

I’m always happy to see Neil playing CH songs live. I am less enthusiastic about this new “play all the songs exactly as on the record” approach. When You Come should be interesting.

 

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I find it odd that the others are in home studios using presumably nice recording equipment...while Neil is using a single cheap usb mic to capture both his vocal and guitar. Would it kill him to use a decent recording chain? All these videos, and the recent Last Day of June have this weird vibe where everything sounds pro except Neil. (I’m talking audio quality, not the performances. Neil’s still a total pro!)

Last edited by slowpogo

I listened to the performance without watching because I'm still finding it weird to not see Mark!

The masses of fans have been loving the 'play as they originally were', so I suppose Neil (and Mitchell) definitely knows what he was doing. 

Imo I've been finding this performance and the other two to be polished and carefully played. And I think there are pros and cons to that. 

I'm suspecting Mitchell has sort of taken the mentor role again so imo I think this performance is done on purpose (ie it's how Mitchell would like to hear them to be again).

I'm also very interested how When you come will sound like. I would also add Hole in the river too.

@slowpogo posted:

I find it odd that the others are in home studios using presumably nice recording equipment...while Neil is using a single cheap usb mic to capture both his vocal and guitar. Would it kill him to use a decent recording chain? All these videos, and the recent Last Day of June have this weird vibe where everything sounds pro except Neil. (I’m talking audio quality, not the performances. Neil’s still a total pro!)

Pretty certain he's miming. There was a video somewhere about these Zoom songs are put together and all the parts are recorded separately, I think, because of sync issues. And another clue at the end is that all the other players mics pick up chair or string noises as they move. Neil's levels are as quiet as a mouse.

@WhoMe? posted:

Pretty certain he's miming. There was a video somewhere about these Zoom songs are put together and all the parts are recorded separately, I think, because of sync issues. And another clue at the end is that all the other players mics pick up chair or string noises as they move. Neil's levels are as quiet as a mouse.

I assumed these were not recorded simultaneously, but watching FAYF again, Neil's part really looks like a live take and there's zero evidence of miming to me, it's perfectly in sync. My theory is that Neil records himself singing with rhythm guitar first, and then the rest of them layer their parts on top of that. It's also the sound, his vocal has just sounded a little airy and indirect in a way that matches with his setup in the video.  Perhaps his chair is just oiled and quiet. I could be crazy, maybe we'll learn more details eventually

These recordings aren’t made simultaneously by all the band members At the same time . The internet technology doesn’t exist to allow 5 musicians from different parts of the world to play live together . They are synced together using programmes such as “ Acapella “ or equivalent . 

I have mixed feelings about the current versions sounding like perfect recreations of the original recordings. The band sound on top of their game , but Liam is almost trying too hard to demonstrate how well he knows the “ authentic “ parts .  

I don’t hear any difference in quality between Neil and the rest of the band sonically ?

In many respects Mitchell makes sense in terms of what he contributed to the first 3 albums , but I thought the band had moved on . If you are going to replace Mark , then Mitchell makes sense , but the thing is - I can’t for the life of me understand why Mark was replaced . 

No offence to Matt , he was great - but I can get on board with Elroy becoming the new drummer . I just keep coming back to the conclusion that replacing Mark was bizarre and unnecessary . 

Mark can do everything Mitchell AND Liam can plus he sings - pretty sure Mitchell won’t be . 

Does this mean Neil is now acoustic rhythm guitarist ? Sad if the case . 

Crowded House were a phenomenal 4 piece band . They had no need to become a 5 piece . 

Stuart, while I completely understand your reservations, I don't think we can conclude much about the current state of the band from these little clips. Liam isn't going to be very Liam in this kind of static setting and suddenly bring hugely different elements into mix. I actually like his version of the final bit of DDIO, he did that live during the Lightsleeper tour last year, too.

I don't think Neil will never touch an electric guitar any more: Nails in my feet, In my command etc. Maybe it'll be more like for the Farewell to the World concert, he played a lot more acoustic back then, but not exclusively. 

And I'm afraid I think a five-piece band makes as much sense as a four-piece for them, given that they've had a hidden fifth member for the majority of live gigs as long I can remember, albeit not for all the songs on the setlists. 

And regarding Mark vs Mitchell, I think Neil was reasonably clear on Fangradio that it wasn't the quality of the performances that he had a problem with, ultimately replacing Mark and Matt, but the lack of inspiration and input when it came to writing new songs.

So as much as I regret losing Mark and Matt, and as much as I dread the whole family thing (and oh boy, I really do): I just don't think this is the time to judge this incarnation of CH. Yet. There'll be an album and live gigs, and then we'll see. 

I think the recreations of the original arrangements are just circumstantial, to quote a song, and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. As you said they’re recording remotely and piecing parts together — not exactly conducive to spontaneity. They kind of need to all agree on an arrangement BUT without being able to rehearse together. In that context the economical, obvious thing to do is just use the originals as a template. It also may seem like a good idea bc it’s a new band essentially, so why not “recenter” things by taking another look at how songs started? Plus Mitchell is there as the guy who originated so many important keyboard parts (and wider arrangements).

I doubt this is their long-term plan going forward, beyond the pandemic. It just makes sense for now.

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