Alright, this thread is so Valerieblaise won’t monopolize ChrisCTP’s party raving about The Judybats!
And, for those who didn’t know (including me) it seems The Judybats are back! This makes even my impending eviction seem rosy! Everyone go right now to www.judybats.com if you haven’t already. I’ll wait.
[looks at watch]
As far as best Judybats album, I’m torn between full-empty with, damn so many good tunes… generally more upbeat, despite rather unsettling subject matter (and one Bee-Gee’s cover) and Pain Makes You Beautiful. Under extreme duress, I’d give the nod to Pain. Hell, I’ve got three copies.
However, for a 1000 post party, She Said is the song that popped into mind… full-empty would have been a damn good choice too.
And the damn form for ordering the new album is broken! Might have to go to CDnow or one of the others…
Anywho…
I haven’t been able to find any Doubters Club stuff
Well, I likeFull-Empty (especially “The Lake”), but I would find it hard to live without Pain Makes You Beautiful (every single goddamed song, just about).
I haven’t gotten the site up yet (in a hurry to post so that this thread has a response), but I’m jazzed to hear they’re back. Hey, maybe it’s a sign: Guadalcanal Diary got back together last year. Who’s next?
…but when you get blue, and you’ve lost all your dreams, there’s nothing like a campfire and a can of beans!
They’re back together. I now have reason to get out of bed in the morning. I don’t even know what to say.
I love “Pain Makes You Beautiful,” but “full-empty” has “regret revisited,” and “Stoned” and “the Lake” and, well, just about every song on the damn thing is AMAZING!
I only saw them live twice, though, so I’m SO excited that they’re going to start touring again in February. The site said they’d be playing Chicago, so I’m set. Whoo-hoo-hoo!
“I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats
Picking a favorite Judybats album is like a parent choosing a favorite child, even though in your heart of hearts there may be one that stands out.
Alright, I’ve never heard of Guadalcanal Diary, but what other music do Judybats fans enjoy? On a long car trip I would not be without:
The Rheostatics
Tragically Hip
Hot Rize
The Pixies
Blue Rodeo
Spirit of the West
Cibo Matto
Gear Daddies
Dar Williams
The Nields
Coolness does not come from what music one listens to, but from the quality of postings on the message board. Ayesha has coolness levels that science has yet to determine the magnitude of. As far as music goes, I’m pretty uncool. Many of the bands I mentioned have fallen apart and many are obscure canadian folkies. But The Pixies? All Nirvana wanted to be was a kick-ass Pixies cover band. Too bad they went another way.
Wow, Phil is weighing in on a thread that was started 'cause of my yammering. I’m feeling special in SO many ways…
So anyway, I’m a lyric person above all else, which is my main reason for loving “full/empty” more than I love candy. I think in some ways, “Pain Makes You Beautiful” tries too hard lyrically, especially “dulcinea” and “my dead friend.” I don’t think they’re bad lyrics, I just don’t think they’re as well-written as most of the songs on “full-empty.” With the possible exception of “Stupid-cute,” I think the lyrics on “full/empty” feel effortless and perfect. I’d kill to write that well. ESPECIALLY when you consider “Wounded Bird” and “Happy Song” and “Sorry Counts”… they all play like pop songs, and yet say more than anything on the “PMYB,” IMO.
Aaach. I could ramble on forever about them, but I won’t right now. I’m too pleased about Jeff deciding to form the band again to find faults w/ any of their stuff…
“I’ll tell you a secret, baby - maybe you can’t do better - gotta settle for second best” - the Judybats
I’m a pessimist, so when I saw that Jeff Heiskell had formed an entirely new band (no old 'bats but him to be seen), I wondered if this is the project that was going to be Doubters Club (how long ago was that, anyway?), but he couldn’t get a record company to buy it.
Now, I can’t remember the names of any of the other band members off the top of my head (and my CDs) are at home, but usually when a band re-forms with only one original member, it’s not a good sign. On the other hand, I think the 'bats had a major lineup change or two over their careers anyway, so maybe I’m getting worried for no good reason.
…but when you get blue, and you’ve lost all your dreams, there’s nothing like a campfire and a can of beans!
From the liner notes (reprinted w/o permission, for review purposes): Down in the Shacks:
Jeff Heiskell - Lead Vocals
Ed Winters - Electric Guitars
Peg Hambright - Keyboard, Violin, Vocals
Timothy Stutz - Bass Guitar
Johnny Sughrue - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Native Son:
add Terry Casper - Drums Pain Makes You Beautiful:
Jeff Heiskell - Lead Vocals
Ed Winters - Electric Guitars
Johnny Sughrue - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals
Paul Noe - Bass Guitar, vocals
Dave Jenkins - drums and percussion Full-empty:
No Changes
And now the troupe consists of:
Jeff Heiskell
Mike Hairrell
Rob Bell
Doug Hairrell
Reed Pendleton
Apparently the order form on the web page has been fixed, as a copy of the new disc is winging its way to me even as we speak. Life couldn’t be better.