In light of the awesome, rockin, "OHIO" show this past weekend (and my previous, highly controversial, "official petition" post), i would like to begin yet another official petition for OTR to make a pure rock and role album in the near future...

If you agree and are looking forward to a ROCK ALBUM from our favorite band, then please reply below!!!

Let's "Show Them How We Feel!!!!!"

Or... let's trust them to decide what's meaningful for them artistically at this point in their lives. Which I'm pretty sure they'll do anyway.

You're that guy who yells "Freebird" at concerts aren't you?

They do need to kick it up a notch on their next album, IMO...they've gotten progressively mellower and lazier (in the musical sense) with each album since FFR, and I'm not sure they can go much farther in that direction.

Wasn't that Films For Radio?

I stil think FFR's the best albums to have an affair to.

And why am I reminded of Margo from the Cowboy Junkies saying;
"I like to sit down before I rock 'n' roll."?

I kind of agree. I kind of long for the days when they were a bit more rockish.

"lazier ... In a musical sense"
Are you ****ing kidding me?

Interesting. You can be of the opinion that we are "progressively mellowed" but the comment about "lazy" just comes off as ignorant. But you are entitled...
k

Wow...yay for misinterpretation online. :\ I suppose I should've worded it better...."lazy" music is the kind of stuff you put on when you're kicking back on a lazy, rainy day, like the beat up but much loved vinyl copy of Billie Holiday's "Stormy Blues." There's nothing lazy about, say, Hem, another band I love dearly, but their music makes me want to curl up under a warm blanket and drink tea. I in no way implied lazy as in a lack of effort or care given to the music, simply as a certain living room kind of vibe.

*shrug* I like the more "rocky" stuff, it's just my personal opinion. I also would love for U2 to make another album like Zooropa and Pete Townshend to stop calling his band 'The Who,' but you're all going to do what you damn well please, and that is what I really want from all my favorite bands, even if some records excite different fans more than others. Sometimes it's just fun to discuss this music with other people who are as passionate about it. I sincerely apologize if I pushed any buttons or if my words were taken wrong.

I don't think of TTC as my relaxing cd.. I love playing in my car, its one of those albums I LOVE singing along to and that I can just put on in my headphones while being active. I would love to hear Karin wail it out more on albums (by this I mean like she used to do with "Lucy and the Revered" and how she still does at the end of "BPD") but I love being along for the ride and seeing all the different paths they take along the way, I'd hate for them to just do one style or one genre and keep repeating it.. after all if you don't move you stagnate and who wants that??

I do appreciate the clarification WalrusOct9 I to got a little peeved reading "lazy" and had the same "are you ****ing kidding me" reaction.

I understand where everyone is coming from here; my brother-in-law, who introduced me to OtR about a decade ago, really appreciates some of the "older" records (Besides especially.) And, I do, too, but I think I even more appreciate where they are vocally and instrumentally right now. I think if you look at some of the lyrics, too, from the past 3-4 albums, I think they really reflect that "Great American Lyricists" title they've been pinned with.

I really think what was done on LFNv2 is perhaps my favorite (for now) compilation. I think the latest go-round with Mickey (whom I worship as a wanna-be drummer) and Jake has added to that "Great American" feel. And, anytime they can throw Paul Patterson in there just makes it all that much better.

I've only been to about 4 of their shows in the past year, but I think Karin's voice is as good--if not better--than ever. I agree with theaterboi01, I love it when she belts it out (esp B.P.D.)

Sorry, this post is a bit all over the place, but I noticed the other night at the show that Karin didn't use the addition of the word "sh!t" in the last verse of "Ohio." Was that intentionally not done for the Nat'l City crowd/recording? I mean, I don't throw the word around myself, but I think it adds something in the live performance. There's an added layer of emotion that comes out. I dunno. Just wonderin.

This is why I love music...we can have differing opinions about the same song/genre. Nothing else seems to pull out such emotion from people.

She does that from time to time. I don't think it has much to do with where or to whom they're playing. Just her mood/vibe at the time, IMO. It was the same with with Give me Strength, and Lil Blue River IIRC...

Clarification very much appreciated and obviously necessary here. 'Nuf said. Yeah, it tends to hit me a little personally. It's only my life's work and all.

Cool.
k

Yeah, exactly. It's a mood thing.

And sometimes when soundcheck is particularly poopy ... =)

Karin, any time you need a little confidence boost, just give me a call. I'll make you so sick of hearing compliments, you'll have to remove yourself from the situation just to stop the insanity... oh wait, that's what happens every time we talk anyway. My bad!

I'm well aware that it is...For better or worse I generally don't shy away from expressing my opinions on music, OTR or otherwise, but you guys work your arses off and I'd certainly never accuse you guys of being lazy in a literal sense. I love this band, you've been the soundtrack to the last 6 or so years of my life, even if I can't be one of those people who unilaterally gushes over every single track or LP (besides, what's the fun in that?), but I'd never, ever question your work ethic or dedication to what you do, or the passion and emotion in the live shows, ever.

Gotcha. I also kinda figured this was the case, but I work with folks in the banking industry, and I know they can sometimes be quirky with what they allow. I didn't think they'd intentionally ask you to refrain from it, but thought I'd ask anyway.

Hoping I can make it to Woodsongs and see some folks again, but not certain yet....wifey's getting her chemo ports removed this week and don't know what her recovery time will do to my availability.

Thanks for the clarification Karin!

In light of the fact that they have been doing exactly this up until now, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular, I whole-heartedly agree.

Having said that, I love pop and rock music, too. I'm a huge fan of OtR and mandy moore, styx, and [insert uncool pop or rock band here.] Sometimes I love heartfelt, earnest lyrics, and sometimes I love simple words strung together that just sound good but don't mean one damn thing. There is nothing wrong in hoping that your favorite band expands into other kinds of music you like. I would love a rock album by OtR. I would love a pop album by OtR who's sole purpose is to sell millions of records, if they are doing it because they want to. I think it would be fun to hear. I hate musical snobbery. But we all know they will do what feels right, and I love that about them.

[toto]

It always feels right to rock out. If it doesn't, it just means you're not rocking hard enough.

Yeah, really didn't mean anything by that. And Lazy was Steve's word. (yeah, pass the buck, heh). No, I think its more of a matter of taste than anything. My tastes have seriously changed in the last four years, as, obviously yours has.

Who wants to hear the same album ten times?! One of the things I love MOST about OTR is that they evolve their sound with each new album, but without compromising their intrinsic artistic style. It's only natural certain songs or albums may speak to you more than others, but to criticize an artist for expanding their musical palate, so to speak, you are limiting your own experience as a listener. Every great chef cooks more than one meal! Embrace the whole menu and I think you'll find its more nourishing that way

I love it the way it is! It fits me and my soul! I listen because it touches my soul in ways that rock does not. Yeah it's fun when they rock out a usual softer version but lets face it we love the graceful fingers of Linfords piano and Karin's angelic voice that makes us all hold our breath!

Thanks, Seawitch for saying everything that I was feeling but couldn't quite get the words out. You summed it up pretty well. OTR surprises me with every new album. Hell, the old ones keep surprising me.

What a great idea!!!! I have always thought of OTR as folk-rock indie style, but since I'm dead into ROCK myself.....I CAN'T BUT TOTALLY AGREE........GOOOOO OTR ROCK ALBUM!!!

Robert

Ever heard EVE from their back catalog?

Eve? Never heard of it.

Neither have I, but then again I don't know all OTR's back catalogue!

Holy Cantaloupe!!!!!