NP - Future Islands on Letterman

[David Morris]

OK.  But did you listen to the album on NPR. It gives a more complete feel
for the music, and doesn't include the "theatrics" (I think they are real,
not faked).  I mostly get intense sincerity, which the NPR review sees
also. I like the goofiness of the intense emotions.

http://www.drownedinsound.com/releases/18129/reviews/4147536?ticker

http://www.londoninstereo.com/future-islands-singles-album-review/

Samuel T. Herring's performance on Letterman has brought him to the
attention of the wider world. But it also did something else - it
encapsulated what makes Future Islands such a unique and brilliant band: it
wasn't just the dancing. It was the theatre. It was him giving every ounce
of emotion and spirit. It was the eye contact and chest thumping. It was
the guttural roars*.*

And now here is *Singles,* and in every song you can feel all of that.  The
follow-up to their ridiculously underrated 2011 record *On The Water,* it's
a step up and a look forwards. There's a gusto not found on that previous
record and you can hear it straight from the propulsive opening track
'Seasons (Waiting on You)'.

On Thursday, March 20, 2014, <malignd at aol.com> wrote:

> I'm not saying you're "wrong."  Just that I think, musically, we have a
> lot in common,  based on previous posts.  And this guy strikes me as lame
> and derivative.  So I'm curious ...
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','fqmorris at gmail.com');>
> >
> To: malignd <malignd at aol.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','malignd at aol.com');>
> >
> Cc: pynchon-l <pynchon-l at waste.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','pynchon-l at waste.org');>
> >
> Sent: Thu, Mar 20, 2014 6:16 pm
> Subject: Re: NP - Future Islands on Letterman
>
>  I am by no means alone in liking this.  Did you read the NPR review?
> Listen to any tracks at the NPR site? Don't like it if you don't. There
> isn't a "right" take on this. If I was the only person who liked this, it
> wouldn't make me wrong.
>
> On Thursday, March 20, 2014, <malignd at aol.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','malignd at aol.com');>>
> wrote:
>
>> More like Tom Jones.  Trying to imitate Bono or who knows who.  What in
>> the world do you like about this?
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
>> To: malignd <malignd at aol.com>
>> Cc: pynchon-l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>> Sent: Wed, Mar 19, 2014 7:44 pm
>> Subject: Re: NP - Future Islands on Letterman
>>
>>
>> http://www.npr.org/2014/03/16/286898446/first-listen-future-islands-singles
>>
>> the band's performance on *The Late Show with David Letterman*, from
>> whence the original Instagram came, was anything but normal. They played
>> *Singles*' lead single "Seasons (Waiting on You)." Herring howled and
>> grumbled his way through it, dipping down low to do said dance move, then
>> standing tall to audibly pound his chest and search for meaning. It was
>> mesmerizing, like watching a young Marlon Brando yell "Stellaaaaaa" into
>> the Barrymore's cheap seats. The rest of the band just stood there like
>> stagehands doing their jobs.
>>
>>  Great performances like that raise expectations, especially if they're
>> introductions, especially if they're to promote a new album on national
>> television. So that is the weight on *Singles*, and yet, miraculously,
>> it doesn't crumble. *Singles* is extremely catchy, well-constructed
>> classic pop: winsome and simple melodies, yearning lyrics, bass lines that
>> will never die. It is also dark and desperate and serious in a way that
>> feels fairly rare these days. There is no ironic withdrawal, no
>> equivocation to avoid abuse, just pure commitment. Herring's voice, which
>> can go from searching whisper to hoarse demonic shout on a pivot, does much
>> of this heavy lifting.
>>
>> On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> He's got a goofy dance, but a passionate voice. More like Joe Cocker
>>> than Tom Jones.
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, <malignd at aol.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> This guy's a clown.  He's like the second coming of Tom Jones.  (And a
>>>> really good dancer ...)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
>>>> To: P-list <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>>>> Sent: Wed, Mar 19, 2014 12:39 am
>>>> Subject: NP - Future Islands on Letterman
>>>>
>>>>  David Letterman - Future Islands: "Seasons (Waiting On You)"<http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ee4bfu_t3c>
>>>>
>>>>  This guy is rock.
>>>>
>>>
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