Thanks! We actually worried that Black Letters was too much like Avalon, and there's a new one now I'm working on that has the same problem. but then you look back at Johnny Cash who could knock out seven boom-ting-boom-ting country songs in a row on an album and noone blinked an eye!
No! They’re completely different! One is a slower tempo song about a man losing his life in a war and finding a way to live on after...and the other is a slower tempo song about men losing their life in a war, finding a way to live on...ah. I see your point!
All joking aside, Black Letters has been known to cause me to choke up and occasionally pull a tear or two, and Avalon, the line you mentioned about “You do not belong to anyone” always seems so defiantly hopeful despite tragedy. I just love them both!
Can you tell us about the Foreign Skies B-Sides? I’m curious how the choice to not include them on the LP came about? “Best Of ‘Em” and the bridge on “Foreign Skies” are other moments of yours that have always reminded me of Springsteen, who is one of my all-time favorite artists.
Hell yeah! I also really want to hear you talk about “real cider”. In the US we have tone of hard cider brands, but most of them are intensely sweet, basically apple-flavored booze pop. I always picture real cider being thicker, boozier, and a little tart.
Avalon shocked me when I first heard it, and I remember having it on repeat when I was driving my kids to school one morning. “Can we PLEASE hear the next song now?”. No, shut up.
Avalon and Black Letters have always been my two favourite songs. Both are so haunting.
Thanks! We actually worried that Black Letters was too much like Avalon, and there's a new one now I'm working on that has the same problem. but then you look back at Johnny Cash who could knock out seven boom-ting-boom-ting country songs in a row on an album and noone blinked an eye!
No! They’re completely different! One is a slower tempo song about a man losing his life in a war and finding a way to live on after...and the other is a slower tempo song about men losing their life in a war, finding a way to live on...ah. I see your point!
All joking aside, Black Letters has been known to cause me to choke up and occasionally pull a tear or two, and Avalon, the line you mentioned about “You do not belong to anyone” always seems so defiantly hopeful despite tragedy. I just love them both!
Can you tell us about the Foreign Skies B-Sides? I’m curious how the choice to not include them on the LP came about? “Best Of ‘Em” and the bridge on “Foreign Skies” are other moments of yours that have always reminded me of Springsteen, who is one of my all-time favorite artists.
This is a great idea. They will be next!
Hell yeah! I also really want to hear you talk about “real cider”. In the US we have tone of hard cider brands, but most of them are intensely sweet, basically apple-flavored booze pop. I always picture real cider being thicker, boozier, and a little tart.
Avalon shocked me when I first heard it, and I remember having it on repeat when I was driving my kids to school one morning. “Can we PLEASE hear the next song now?”. No, shut up.
Lol. Shaddup littleuns, daddy's vibing
Driving time is daddy’s music time! Shut yer yaps!
I always thought this song was about a Toyota Avalon that never quite found a home.
Joking aside, this song is great. Love how much different it is, stands out in a big way on that album as well
you cracked the code!!!!!!!!!
In agreement. Beautiful piece.
Too kind
Gonna go a step further and say it isn't "off-brand" for you. A change of pace, perhaps. Good music is on-brand for the band.
This is one of my favorite songs from you guys and it feels like it kinda goes under the rader. I'm glad I got some background for it!