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Messages - Alex0821

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16
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: November 14, 2015, 03:20:44 pm »
Great performance of Operator. I am really in love with that song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDrm2sX1Byc

This is awesome! I didn't know Skye was doing all that stuff (I haven't been watching the recent live performances, since I'm seeing her in December and want it to be fresh). I wonder if Vanessa's friend KT Tunstall introduced her to the looping pedal :P

omg her comment at the end XD

17
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: November 09, 2015, 11:58:03 am »
That sucks to hear. It deserves better.

It definitely does deserve better sales wise, but at least it's getting excellent reviews. And anyways, huge sales doesn't seem to be Vanessa's goal. Saw this exchange on Twitter the other day...


LOL you didn't need to hide that person's (your?) username. all it takes is to go on V's twitter to see it haha

No, it's not mine lol. I just blurred it out because I was posting it somewhere where the OP hadn't agreeded to his tweets being posted.
Haha okay

Anyways, I'm glad it wasn't made to go mainstream. However I do think "Operator" could have a fair chance to be played on radio and become a minor hit.

True! Operator has the potential to get some major airplay.

I'm not sure how that stuff works, though. Would her label have to send it to radio stations?

That's usually the case, yes. Sometimes a song goes viral on its own and radio stations willingly play it of their own volition (like that "let me take a selfie" song), but for the most part the label has to make a concerted effort to get a song major airplay. Some labels actually pay a station to spin a song once per hour the day it comes out. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and big stars like that have all benefited from pay-to-play.

That's the downside of being on an Indie label - they don't often have the money or the "manpower" to really push a song onto radio. I'm not sure how much time and energy Dine Alone is willing to spend on that, since it doesn't seem like commercial success if a priority of Vanessa's these days.

18
Hi there! Thanks for the writeup, it sounds like you had a great time.

It's awesome that she signed things. What was on sale? I'm wondering if I'll be able to buy the album or something there, or if I'll have to bring something to get signed.

Also, did anyone say anything about a sheet music book going on sale? She's had one for every album so far, but I'm nervous Liberman won't get one.
From what I can remember, there was the Liberman album, ROTR album and vinyl, the new t-shirt and hoodie, the t-shirt with Victor on it, and maaaybe the ROTR sheet music. You will probably be able to buy something there, but you could also bring something if you wanted to. The lady selling things said there were not many hoodies left. I don't know if she meant just for the one show or for the rest of the tour.

Thanks for the info! If she's signing stuff, maybe I'll buy the album there (I bought it digitally when it came out) so I'll have something for her to sign.

19
Vanessa Songs / Lyrics / Sheet Music / Re: Willows Sheet Music
« on: November 07, 2015, 11:04:24 am »
Anyone make any progress on this? I'm having trouble figuring out what the exact notes are during the chorus. I haven't even gotten to the bridge yet haha

20
Hi there! Thanks for the writeup, it sounds like you had a great time.

It's awesome that she signed things. What was on sale? I'm wondering if I'll be able to buy the album or something there, or if I'll have to bring something to get signed.

Also, did anyone say anything about a sheet music book going on sale? She's had one for every album so far, but I'm nervous Liberman won't get one.

21
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: November 03, 2015, 11:31:19 am »
Same here, sarahb....off topic...does anyone know where the album placed on the Billboard 200?

It never broke into the top 200.

22
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: November 01, 2015, 02:10:12 pm »

Does anyone else think it is odd that Vanessa used the racial slur "g****" in River?

I understand it that does not have the same weight in the USA as it does in Europe, but it is still a racial slur. I find it really odd. Like does she actually just not know? 

I really like River, but every time I hear that lyric I cringe.

I was wondering if anyone would bring this up. Some people had the same conversation when Lady Gaga came out with a song called "Gypsy" in 2013. You're right, that word doesn't have nearly the weight of other slurs in the US; there aren't nearly as many people here who are bothered by it as who are bothered by the N-word, the F-word, etc. I didn't even know it was a slur until that song came out. I'm sure neither artist meant harm by it (but I understand that's scant comfort).

23
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 27, 2015, 01:41:45 pm »
While I love some songs on rabbits, it was always my least favorite album--proably because it was so different than her previous work. Her old versions of FWF were my favorite and I didn't like the dreamy vibe of this. But his album. It's perfect. I know sales wise it's not expected for much but if V still lurks around here I hope she knows what a dream record this is. It's the perfect time for it and it's hauntingly beautiful. My bro works for buzzfeed and I think I convinced him to do a review of the album for some extra publicity.

Is this it? http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/fyi-this-is-what-vanessa-carlton-is-up-to-these-days#.xg1B0nyzL

I mean it could be a little longer, but I don't think BF is known for its long-form journalism ;)

24
Creative Endeavors / Re: My Vanessa Carlton Piano Instrumentals
« on: October 27, 2015, 02:16:00 am »
All of your work is so fantastic! I love listening to them :) Keep up the excellent work!

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy them.

25
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 26, 2015, 05:09:09 pm »
Excellent review from Pop Matters here http://www.popmatters.com/review/vanessa-carlton-liberman/

Great review! I totally agree that ROTR is only a departure from her past work in terms of the musical production - she's been remarkably consistent in terms of the actual songwriting.

And HAHAHA about Senator Lieberman - I'm from his state and I thought the same thing when I heard the album title for the first time.

26
Creative Endeavors / Re: My Vanessa Carlton Piano Instrumentals
« on: October 25, 2015, 04:27:35 am »

27
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 24, 2015, 09:53:36 am »
Here's my (extremely long-winded) track-by-track review of "Liberman"!

Take it Easy – I think this song does a fantastic job of establishing a lot of the themes and concepts for the album: the dreamy atmosphere, instrumentation not necessarily led by piano, finding comfort in chaos, aging and dying (yes, I actually think a lot of this album has to do with getting older and becoming closer to death). I love how the song is an allusion to “The Last Unicorn” – I’ve never seen it before, but I love when she references the works of others, it makes her lyrics really rich. I still think the intro and outro are way too long. And how is that not a trumpet?? 8/10

Willows – A perfect song, as far as I’m concerned. I love how the instrumental and the lyrics give me these ‘hearty pioneer’ vibes: “Go build a cabin, find land and a tree… on your knees planting seeds” etc. I love how the instrumental rises and falls at all the right moments, and the piano and guitar complement one another so well on this track. The harmonies in the last chorus are phenomenal. I really, really like this song. 10/10

House of Seven Swords – I’m disappointed this song didn’t get a better instrumental. I mean, it barely has one. The bridge would have been a perfect place for the music to swell bigger than it does. I also wish the lyrics had more Tarot references, since that’s a really interesting concept for a song. But I like how she comes off as this older, worldly woman explaining how the world works to a younger listener. There are some very pretty harmonies, as well. 7/10

Operator – If you told me this song was an outtake from “Harmonium,” I’d believe you. It would fit perfectly alongside similarly earnest tracks like “Private Radio” and “Papa.” I didn’t love the living room session of this song when we got it with “Blue Pool EP,” but the studio version is quite good. I really like how it’s a sort of Mrs. Robinson-esque story about an older woman seducing a younger man. I definitely think this was the right choice for a single, though I thought the music video didn’t tell the story as well as it could have. 9/10

Blue Pool – Another darn-near-perfect song. I love when Vanessa writes in 3/4 time. I really dig the Old Hollywood feel of the song, and how it tells the story quite literally, which doesn’t work for every song. I don’t always like long outros, but “Blue Pool”s is so pretty that I don’t mind. I think this is the song I’m most looking forward to learning how to play on the piano. 10/10

Nothing Where Something Used to Be – As I’ve said before, I don’t like the studio version as much as I like the living room session. However, the “hoos” in the outro are really haunting, and I really like the punctuated strumming of the guitar. The lyrics denote a level of maturity and introspection towards a breakup that most songs don’t have, and this perfectly illustrates the “grownup” nature of the whole album. 8/10

Matter of Time – This song reminds me so much of “Get Good” for some reason. It’s probably the guitar and the melody of the verses. The whole song is very simply stated, but the minimalism works really well here (it did not in “House of Seven Swords”). Again, the harmonies are ace. 8/10

Unlock the Lock – I never liked the live performances of this song, but the studio version works on a whole other level. The harmonies of the chorus hit my ear just right, and the staccato strings (is that cello, or more guitar?) punctuate the beat well. The music of the bridge grows into the chorus in a way that “House of Seven Swords” should have. 8/10

River – I said a few days ago that I didn’t like this song, and I should be roundly punished for that because it’s become one of my favorites after a second listen. I think this song would have been right at home in “Rabbits on the Run,” perhaps more than any other song on this album. I can’t quite articulate what I like about this song. I like the sustained notes of the chorus, and the instrumental has some interesting things going on. 9/10

Ascension – I really like the piano chords, which remind me of “The Marching Line.” The whole song sounds like coming out of a dream, making it the perfect ending to this album. Though after all the references to aging, death, being lost and similarly morose topics throughout the album, I wonder if “Ascension” is instead about rising up to heaven and “waking up” from the mortal experience. Chilling to think about, but ultimately not a very good song in its own right. 6/10

In Conclusion – I ended up liking “Liberman” a lot more than I thought I would. In fact, it is likely my favorite album of hers, with the possible exception of “Heroes and Thieves.” I usually like a more typical pop production in the music I listen to (“Heroes” being a perfect example of that), so “Liberman” is very different from what I usually enjoy. But in standard Vanessa fashion, the lyrics are so beautiful, her voice so pitch-perfect, and the melodies so lovely that I don’t really miss the production except in a few of the songs that could have benefited from a stronger production. I really like some of the themes that run throughout the music, such as aging and finding solace in a chaotic world, and I love how so much of it is in second person, like she is singing to the listener or like we are a character in each story. I feel like there’s still a lot worth exploring here, and I’ve only just begun listening to the living room sessions, so I’ll look forward to enjoying “Liberman” for many months to come. 9/10

28
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 22, 2015, 06:48:27 pm »
Great writeup in Glide: http://www.glidemagazine.com/150602/vanessa-carlton-liberman-album-review/

The money quote: "While still sweet, soft and angelic, her vocals also sound notably stronger and more seasoned, and she plays with them in enchanting ways. She sounds confident and collected, with polished and sophisticated harmonies that hit all the rights notes at the right times. Her songs are still full of catchy pop hooks, but they’re more subdued and controlled. The instrumentals are lush, but not melodramatic or overly orchestral, as with much of Carlton’s earlier stuff."

I think that sums up perfectly what a lot of us really like about Liberman.

29
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 21, 2015, 03:33:16 am »
Great Pitchfork writeup. I love what he says about Vanessa's confidence in this album. She comes off as very worldly, I think. Particularly in songs "Blue Pool" where she portrays this older washed-up celebrity (that's the story, right?), "Take it Easy" and "House of Seven Swords" where she seems to be giving advice to someone younger about how the world works, and "Operator" where she portrays an older woman seducing a younger man. Even "NWSUTB" approaches a breakup with more wisdom than most songs do. If you want to call me, just do it. That's actually very adult.

We've all been calling Liberman "mature" and I was never really sure why, but this review made me think about how true that really is.

30
General Vanessa Carlton Discussion / Re: Liberman
« on: October 19, 2015, 04:40:13 pm »
Liberman has a better production, I believe, though there are more individual songs I'm kind of lukewarm about. But I've only listened to some of them once, so when the album comes out I'll really give it all a full listen and do a track-by-track review as well :)

May I ask which ones you are lukewarm about?

And if so, which ones are you lukewarm about?  :P

Basically all the new ones haha. "Unlock the Lock," "Matter of Time," "River," "Ascension." I also don't love "Take it Easy," mostly because the first entire minute is nothing haha.

I'm sure they'll grow on me with time, but I loved "Young Heart," "Willows," and the living room session of "NWSUTB" after just one listen.

Edit: I'm listening to "Unlock the Lock" a second time, and the harmonies in the chorus are SO spectacular, I might take it off the lukewarm list. Haha!

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