RE: a question from jeff | from BlakeJul 27 2004 - 12:21
to add my two cents, I think it would be a good idea to wait for an album of material.
also, what is your day-job, jeff?
Idaho music Message boardto add my two cents, I think it would be a good idea to wait for an album of material.
also, what is your day-job, jeff?
I love a good album myself. I judge bands by the albums they make. If they can't string an album together then I usually tend to lose interest... usually being the word. IDAHO are different. They don't need to prove how good they / he is.
jeff - as long as your heart is in it- whatever the length of the finished product - ours will be as well. bring it on now for i cannot wait another second! but i will :)
Whatever you give us is fantastic!
I think even what you consider a sub-par live performance of your new stuff would thrill most of us. I don't think the fans will evaporate and you should ask for musicians if you need them. You never know who would be willing to
help you out to make it happen live. People on this message board are musicians and many would love to give back something for al the wonderful music you have given us. I would love anything EP, LP, 7"...Your call, just don't let the format hold you up and let your fantastic music go unappreciated :)
d.
I'm coming into this late....
Keep those 7 or 8 songs and let them grow into whatever full length... however long that takes.
But release -- as an EP -- those OTHER songs that just don't fit in. I'm guessing those will get lost either way and I don't want to have to wait another 10 years for the new b-sides comp that has them.
It would certainly be a gift to all those fans that can't wait for some new stuff (like me) and it wouldn't compromise the next masterpiece.
j
I say wait for a full-length LP.
In the meantime, re-issue the earlier EPs on one compilation.
So has a decision been made?
waiting for the new songs to attract my heart and soul.
l.p.- if cohesiveness is achievable
on your time table (patience is a virtue much needed) e.p. - if it feels like the moments captured on tape so far will be dificult to compliment (within the theme) without sacrificing The integrity of who you are right now.
Grace be with you,
B
Don't throw produce at me, but I'd say hold off until the album is done. E.P.s are great but nothing tops an IDAHO long-player.
All I ask is that if the disc is copy protected that it be playable on DVD players... if possible.
French people wait Idaho new records, whenever, whatever but "full-lenght" record like heart or levitate would be fantastic. We wait to see Idaho in Paris, in France and we hope idaho next record comming soon! and sure, we hope too, idaho make a long road, an unstopped road.
well said Blua Astro...perfect. I agree. Who the hell are we to tell Jeff what format to give it to us in?? Jeff, do whatever the hell you want and WE WILL LIKE IT!!!
I vote EP. I like EP's better than full lengths anymore.
Jeff,
Seriously... EP or album, whatever... just put something out in the near future. Please.
Cause, hell, I'm listening. and so are a lot of other people
Thing is, it's Jeff, people like him, bands like Idaho, that keep my lungs pumping and my heart beating and my blood going.
It's all the fucking hope and heart he, and others, put into their ideas.
And they make something sublime from notes or words or paint or garbage.
So we get asked, 'Do you want an ep or an album?'.
So some songs or stories might not cut it, might not connect, might not measure up by our standards, by our...well...measure.
Well, who the fuck is measuring? How the fuck are they measuring?
What with?
Cause I ain't found a tool that told me which was a song that was good and a song that was bad.
I missed that meeting, missed that lecture.
The very fucking fact that this band is still capable, still creative, still gaining in creativity, still solvent, still full of fucking hope and still asking is, in itself, the finest sign of fucking bursting, bloody red hearted life I've seen in a while.
So, Jeff, for what my dumb opinion's worth, which is very, very little, put out your music in whichever way makes you happy.
"it may wind up on a lot of iPods played in an 'Idaho shuffle'"
You really do that? I'd think that would screw up the whole 'album feel' Jeff works so hard at. ;)
A half an hour of new Idaho would be better than nearly all of what's available away at any length.
I'm guessing it may wind up on a lot of iPods played in an "Idaho shuffle" for the 'm' teenth time while the other X thousand songs stored are only occaisionally played.
The world always can use more great music. 5, 15, 30 or 90 minutes of it.
Go sip a Pimms Cod.
Bet you are no clearer eh Jeff?
As long as the songs are good and there is no filler I don't care how long a CD gets. My current frustration is finding consistent releases. I usually end up skipping or minidiscing with clipped tracks.
Having come to this thread rather late, I wish simply to second some of the prior posts, namely, those of Alex, Chris, BR...et al. --registering my fondness for EPs in general.
I think many of us instinctively prefer the tautness of an EP, as the attention, hence appreciation, tends to become jaded beyond the 25 to 30 minute mark. -As an aside, does anyone here recall with what consternation double albums used to be recieved? There was always something wilfully perverse with the concept; provoking such epithets as "sprawling", "epic", and "fulsome" similar to those applied to the symphonic excesses of many 19th century composers. Now, it seems that with the 'Age of the CD' such lengthy decadence has almost become canonical. Against such a background, I regard EP's as a more wholesome format...and something like an indication of sanity. ---"To the EP!!!" *Raises glass*
I would like to thank Jeff for initiating this thread. It is really kind of him to engage us in this way.
Jeff, if you feel like "those 7" are perfect together, and any other songs impinge on that group, then just put out those 7.
if a 7 songer is a complete artistic expression, why shouldn't it be considered a "full-length" record? that's the point of a record, right? to release something into the world that expresses exactly what the artist intended to express?? i see that side of it. i get that side of it. but still, who's to say another 3 songs won't make the other 7 that much better??? isn't that the sort of standard idea of a "full-length" record? 10 or more songs??
Hey Jeff,
I agree that I dont think that you should worry about idaho's existing fanbase diminishing because I would consider Idaho to be a band who somehow transcend musical trends, maybe like REM or maybe raadiohead? (though obviously better) . Its your Backstreet Boys or New Kids on the Blocks etc who have a limited shelflife which is taken into account by record companies marketing strategies. Whearas your music and consequently audience operate with a much more open minded agenda which trancends timespans.....
I think it's time for an e.p. There's been 5 full lengths in a row if you count the live one and the b-side collection.
I don't care what format it is as long as it's music and it's Idaho.
This is a great thread. I was just thinking that another "Alas" would be great. That CD, to me, is the perfect Idaho release. Short, very sweet, well-rounded and well-written cohesive group of songs with nothing that resembles filler.
I guess all I'm really hoping for is that nothing is forced into this group of 7 or so songs that doesn't belong just to extend the playing time. But from the looks of Jeff's posts, it looks like there's nothing to worry about, so...
no....i assure you....idaho will go on for a while .....ill need to do it to keep sane while i write music for the man.....
jeff,
when you talked about being a responsible adult and not having time for idaho, you werent inferring that Idaho as we know it could be winding down, were you?
If I don't see some new material soon, consider me evaporated.
Indeed, the puddle won't dry up, rest assured. If the 7 songs work together perfectly then that's what matters. Who knows, a few months and there might be an 8th, or a 9th.
Jeff not to worry...we as your puddle of fans will never dry up!! Do what you think is best and rest assured we will be happy with whatever you have to give us!
If those 7 songs fit well together, maybe they should stay together. But of course I haven't heard them, so I'm limited on how much feedback I can offer...
I would love an EP. 20-30 minutes of coherence is great and to my ears, it is rare that a recording maintains coherence for longer than that. Some of my favorite releases are EPs and I find myself often skipping tracks to reduce a full-length to EP-length.
I enjoyed the Idaho of yesteryear, the Idaho that had an EP/maxi-single between each full record... of course, I enjoy the Idaho of the present, too.
i would rather hold out for a full length album than an EP. I feel that most idaho albums are short in length as it is and if an EP would be a half hour, then i would rather hold out for a grander experience of the full length. Just my humble opinion.
i guess i was a little concerned about the small puddle of idaho fans drying up if i wait too long......i have enough songs for a complete CD but these 7 are so perfect together and the others just dont compare or fit in....i swear. all of these posts are great and at the moment im coming away with the feeling i should wait till its a complete CD. it just means a few more months....im going to refrain from talking about what the record sounds like for now....its unfortunately not a CD that will be easily re-produce able live as of yet
i just re-read my post. i can already see someone misinterpreting my comments about the IDAHO fanbase getting smaller. i didn't mean that in a way, like, gosh, the IDAHO fanbase is so small it can't get any smaller. what i meant was that the fanbase won't myseriously disappear if you wait a few more months (or whatever) to release a full-length record. the fanbase will still be here tomorrow or next year or 5 years from now.
i agree that EP's are not the smartest in terms of marketing, financing, etc. there's just something really great about releasing a full-length record. i wouldn't rush it, jeff. it's not like the IDAHO fanbase is going to get any smaller. hell, i'm sure there's someone out there who still hasn't heard Hearts Of Palm yet. putting the rush on things to get something new out is always a temptation. i think you should wait, get a full-lenght out, and tour the country... with several dates in ohio, to be specific! sometimes it's also tempting to ask, "Why tour if you have no (new) product to sell?" and there is something to be said for that. whatever you decide, i'll buy it.
Maybe you could do some kind of single disc re-issue of the first three EPs and include the "extra" songs as bonus tracks, and maybe some goodies like "The Right Escape" that didn't make it onto "We Were Young...". I don't know who holds the rights to the stuff you did for Caroline and Buzz though, so it could be a pain.
I don't know how many copies of The Forbidden EP were printed, but I just think it's a shame it's so hard to get. If I had to pick one favorite Idaho recording, that would be it. Just an idea. I guess it wouldn't have as much appeal to new listeners though.
I love EPs in general though. I think it's a great form. I'm trying to talk my own band into doing an EP for our next release.
I'm with you Alex. Good thoughts there.
Agreed, you won't find me complaining.
I think the ONLY problem with EPs is that some people view them as unnecessary releases and "just save my money for the full length."
However, I love the whole concept of EPs. In my perfect world, everything would be an EP; they're concise and infinitely more focused than LPs. If these 7 or 8 songs are really strong, cohesive, and perfect as they are, I wouldn't try to add stuff to them to come up with an LP. Good rarely comes from this situation, cause you end up cramming in filler that doesn't belong.
Either way, I'll be happy.
Tricky... I'd say save it for an album. Admittedly, it has been a while since Levitate but if it means waiting a while longer, then i'll wait. I mean - the messageboard's relatively busy, I don't think anything would be lost by waiting ?
If the Idaho coffers need a little boosting, then I'm sure there's scope for People Like Us Should Be Stopped Volume 2, or was that a one off ?
I think we're all in agreement that an EP would be a great idea. Marketing it might be a little harder, but I think quality always wins over quantity.
Is it that you haven't written enough material, or you don't think there's enough cohesiveness among the material to make an LP? As you know we're often our own worst judges.
i really want to hear the new songs, but i can't imagine how there would be less than enough for a full lp. if what you're asking is, should i put out some of the songs that don't joint together nicely first, and then release the album next, then i say "great." but i don't think that's what you're asking. i'd rather wait and get the whole thing than to be teased mightily by 7 or 8 gorgeous songs that end too quickly. what if it turns out that this material could have been your opus if you'd just done the work on another 3? (okay, i might be milking it a bit there.)
when it's all said and done they're your songs. release them the way you feel will do them justice.
Jeff -
A quick look across the marketplace shows that the EP is fast gaining ground as a legitimate stand-alone format -- a true mini-album as it was marketed decades ago to jazz fans.
Friends of mine in a great Washington D.C. band, the Caribbean, recently had good luck issuing a five-song EP that holds up as a piece. It's been well reviewed, and it's gaining them new fans because the entry price is relatively low.
So, consider the goal. If you're of a mind to turn on new fans to the band, or if you have a set of songs that you believe work together but might suffer in an LP format, release an EP. If you believe it's better to create the sometimes overwhelming experience of a full album, go that way.
Really, it's about the songs. Um, what are they like?
bring on the e.p. jeff
Always was a fan of the Idaho EP's...do whatever feels right for the songs Jeff
Thumbs up.
If you have a coherent EP that's not going to break up the LP then release it Jeff. A seven/eight song EP would be fab.
Hi Jeff
as usual i write from italy
and i wish to say you that i think
a whole album is better
and as seen i am lucky to have in my hands a cd of live in germany
what do you think that after all these cds it's time a great live album that sound well quality not
like the lastest one?
All the Best
Gerardo
im fully aware of the relative unimportance of this issue.......just a passing thought
an EP after so long would be really cool, but after waiting this long, I think a full length would be more satisfying. but do what you feel like. I'm game either way.
Belt out a lullaby for us all, cause goddamnit, we need it...
Jeff, the world's going to hell in a dungbasket and you ask a question like that? Hell, any beauty is welcome. What's on your mind? Sing us a song...
I'm guessing you already have enough great material for a full-length CD. Likely as not, you're simply unaware of some of the material's greatness. We could inform you of it...
I'll defer to the likes of Rob S, Ross, Alex, etc.
Dude....HefFe would rather be a "resposible adult" rather than a "responsible adult" any day of the week. Whatever it takes Jeff...whatever it takes.
Luv, not drugs.
Your pal,
HeFFe
im on the fence about whether i should put an E.P. out soon or wait 'till i have enough great material for a full-length CD. maybe its time for another idaho E.P. i dont have as much time to work on idaho as i used to now that im becoming a "resposible adult".... it could take a while to finish a whole album.....the E.P. would be more of a mini album mind you....like 7 or 8 songs......25 minutes roughly.....i dont know...maybe im just silly.....from a marketing point of view E.P.'s are not always the smartest things......just thought i'd see what some of you folks think out there......its been so long since new idaho material's seen the light of day that im getting antsy... what to do, what to do
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