Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti : Before Today

Molecules · 07-12-2010, 04:53 PM

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti : Before Today

Released June 8 2010, 4AD

1. Hot Body Rub
2. Bright Lit Blue Skies
3. L'estat (Acc. to the Widow's Maid
4. Fright Night (Nevermore)
5. Round and Round
6. Beverly Kills
7. Butt-House Blondies
8. Little Wig
9. Can't Hear My Eyes
10. Reminiscences
11. Menopause Man
12. Revolution's a Lie

~~James~~ · 07-12-2010, 04:58 PM

I voted Excellent, this album really impressed me. Haunted Graffiti have alot of potential.

Molecules · 07-12-2010, 05:40 PM

I was familiar with Ariel Pink (the group title seems perfunctory) before, having a few of his albums. This one has solicited much whining from the hipster contingent because it hasn't got the analogue-DIY sound of all previous output, and it's attracted plenty of mainstream press attention. Boo hoo.

In short though I agree with you James, it had a kind of detatched disco-chic vibe about it that made me unsure at first, but it's a real grower. What a mad and idiosyncratic songwriter he is - and tbh he was crying out for some professional production to flesh out the ambitious arrangements. It's not overproduced either and I imagine the much-talked-about '70s feel' could be chalked up to this guy being behind the boards as well as Pink's cultural nostalgia. Some tracks in fact still sound like they're refracted through pink shades - 'Beverly Kills' has plenty of hiss on it. Should please the fans.

However I've still only been listening to it on and off for a week and I'm not ready to choose between 'excellent' and 'very good' yet... =P

Rickenbacker · 07-12-2010, 09:39 PM

I voted Poor. Before Today lacks the reckless fuck-everything DIY nature of Ariel Pink's previous releases and instead drifts into shitty MOR 70s Yacht Rock. Disappointing.

keith! · 07-12-2010, 10:06 PM

This was my first taste of Ariel Pink, and me likey.

Each track felt unique and the album stayed fresh the entire time.

I vote very good

Bulldog · 07-13-2010, 06:02 AM

Haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but from I've heard it sounds like at least a 'very good'. I'll reserve judgement 'til I've given it a proper spin though.

~~TumorAttitude~~ · 07-31-2010, 03:25 PM

I voted "very good". First listen, I was bored. Second listen I noticed the hooks and the layers of the insturments. On third listen and now I think its great.

Sentience · 07-31-2010, 06:31 PM

Voted Excellent.

There's not a song in it that isn't catchy and to be truthful, even if I did like the lo-fi aesthetic, I had a hard time with some of his songs as they sounded way too distorted for my ears.
I give him a thumbs up for finally heading to a studio.

FaSho · 08-01-2010, 11:13 AM

All the indie kids are fawning over this.

Except me.
Average.

TOYS · 09-17-2010, 05:28 PM

It isn't great; it's good, but not great.

View Poll Results: Rate and discuss this album
Excellent	5	23.81%
Very Good	12	57.14%
Average	2	9.52%
Poor	1	4.76%
Awful	1	4.76%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

07-12-2010, 04:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti : Before Today Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti : Before Today Released June 8 2010, 4AD 1. Hot Body Rub 2. Bright Lit Blue Skies 3. L'estat (Acc. to the Widow's Maid 4. Fright Night (Nevermore) 5. Round and Round 6. Beverly Kills 7. Butt-House Blondies 8. Little Wig 9. Can't Hear My Eyes 10. Reminiscences 11. Menopause Man 12. Revolution's a Lie __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

07-12-2010, 05:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Molecules daddy don't Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the Wastes Posts: 2,577	I was familiar with Ariel Pink (the group title seems perfunctory) before, having a few of his albums. This one has solicited much whining from the hipster contingent because it hasn't got the analogue-DIY sound of all previous output, and it's attracted plenty of mainstream press attention. Boo hoo. In short though I agree with you James, it had a kind of detatched disco-chic vibe about it that made me unsure at first, but it's a real grower. What a mad and idiosyncratic songwriter he is - and tbh he was crying out for some professional production to flesh out the ambitious arrangements. It's not overproduced either and I imagine the much-talked-about '70s feel' could be chalked up to this guy being behind the boards as well as Pink's cultural nostalgia. Some tracks in fact still sound like they're refracted through pink shades - 'Beverly Kills' has plenty of hiss on it. Should please the fans. However I've still only been listening to it on and off for a week and I'm not ready to choose between 'excellent' and 'very good' yet... =P __________________ [SIZE="1"]Eff em tumble her

07-12-2010, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	I voted Poor. Before Today lacks the reckless fuck-everything DIY nature of Ariel Pink's previous releases and instead drifts into shitty MOR 70s Yacht Rock. Disappointing. __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

07-12-2010, 04:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	I voted Excellent, this album really impressed me. Haunted Graffiti have alot of potential.

07-12-2010, 10:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
keith! Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 287	This was my first taste of Ariel Pink, and me likey. Each track felt unique and the album stayed fresh the entire time. I vote very good

07-13-2010, 06:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	Haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but from I've heard it sounds like at least a 'very good'. I'll reserve judgement 'til I've given it a proper spin though.

07-31-2010, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
~~TumorAttitude~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Purgatory Posts: 749	I voted "very good". First listen, I was bored. Second listen I noticed the hooks and the layers of the insturments. On third listen and now I think its great.

07-31-2010, 06:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sentience Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: France Posts: 11	Voted Excellent. There's not a song in it that isn't catchy and to be truthful, even if I did like the lo-fi aesthetic, I had a hard time with some of his songs as they sounded way too distorted for my ears. I give him a thumbs up for finally heading to a studio.

09-17-2010, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
TOYS Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 13	It isn't great; it's good, but not great.