'Painkillers' - first listen impressions

The production is SO much better on the physical files of the album as opposed to the stream so I'm v. happy about that.

God what a fucking album. The production on the vocals is so interesting, especially on Rosemary and Mojo Hand. Among Other Foolish Things is such a fun driving song. Lyrics are deceivingly complex and intricate.

this album was so worth the wait... trying to get used to Long Drives though... its great, but the demo holds a special place for me.

riversedge wrote:

The production is SO much better on the physical files of the album as opposed to the stream so I'm v. happy about that.

that's what I thought too.
Seems like they did that on purpose (on youtube)

also I don't really get the hate Mojo Hand is receiving in all those reviews. i mean its not the best song on the album, but its catchy enough and it doesn't really sound out of place.

mojo hand is the odd song that on every record. a wake-up call for a magnificent ending to the album.

Mojo Hand is great. There's always a place for those different kind of songs in my book.

mja271 wrote:

Mojo Hand is great. There's always a place for those different kind of songs in my book.

Very true. Great fun that song.

By the way, Mojo Hand make effects pedals ...




and don't forget

First impression is that it's incredible. I really can't get into Mojo Pin, but hoping that will grow on me.

Also can't get over the changes in Long Drives. The MATZ version was perfect. One of my favorite songs Brian has ever done. There's nothing wrong with this one, but I just feel like it doesn't flow as well. Maybe Brian will let me steal and record the old one?

That said, it's my ONLY critique. The rest is amazing.

moosicmaniac wrote:

Also can't get over the changes in Long Drives.  The MATZ version was perfect.  One of my favorite songs Brian has ever done.  There's nothing wrong with this one, but I just feel like it doesn't flow as well.  Maybe Brian will let me steal and record the old one?  

That said, it's my ONLY critique.  The rest is amazing.

This is my one negative as well. I know we'll always have the original version but it's so damn good and I would've loved for that arrangement to be recorded at this production quality. To me Low Love >> this version of Long Drives, but oh well, it's just one song. The record otherwise is great.

steady now steady now wrote:

mja271 wrote:

Mojo Hand is great. There's always a place for those different kind of songs in my book.

Very true. Great fun that song.

By the way, Mojo Hand make effects pedals ...




and don't forget

and this classic


'I'm going down to Louisiana to get me a mojo hand'

Does Painkillers live anywhere online? Trying to find it so I can get that first listen in.

[Admin: This request has resulted in that member being banned!! He even used a 'pirate' smiley!
Please see: https://thegaslightanthem.forumotion.com/t6256-in-case-it-does-leak-do-not-post-leaks-of-painkillers]

eagles1139 wrote:

Album is great so far I am 4 songs in.

Lyric question fill in the blank:
in Among Other Foolish Things

"I'm taking a dive on a smoky set of lies
_________________, and there was this one time
when I painted a masterpiece"
(haha it's really bugging me)

to me it sounds like

"I'm takin a dive on a smoky set of eyes
I've been so deceived and i've been the one lyin'
and there was this one time i painted a masterpiece"

moosicmaniac wrote:

First impression is that it's incredible.  I really can't get into Mojo Pin, but hoping that will grow on me.

Also can't get over the changes in Long Drives.  The MATZ version was perfect.  One of my favorite songs Brian has ever done.  There's nothing wrong with this one, but I just feel like it doesn't flow as well.  Maybe Brian will let me steal and record the old one?  

That said, it's my ONLY critique.  The rest is amazing.

I prefer both "Red Lights" and "Long Drives" as originally done by MATZ, and also the stripped down versions of "Steve McQueen" and "Honey Magnolia" done at folk festivals, but oh well.  "Low Love" didn't make the album either, the world's an imperfect place, lol.  Still a very good album.

I'm in love with this album! Rosemary and open all night are my stand outs! Really enjoyed mojo hand! Can see this album getting repeated a lot

The new long drives is so much better melodically, and lyrically I think. I know it's the opposite of what you're all saying, but I think the original didn't flow too well, at least the first verse. Among other foolish things and mojo hand are the two main standout tracks to me. I like rosemary and up all night but it will take a few more listens until I love them I think. I love how raw the whole album sounds.

I am finally able to sit here listening to Painkillers through my proper hifi system, a Yamaha 2 x 85 watts (8Ω) amplifier and Sony 100 watts (8Ω) speakers.

Wow! That album sure sounds so meganourmously amazing. What a difference from when I first heard it through fairly good external PC speakers. And I've not even cranked it up halfway.

I close my eyes and it's Brian Fallon & The Crowes rocking my living room ... (feeling the vibrations).

Still waiting for tomorrow, but just wanted to say that 'meganourmously amazing' might be the best descriptive term I've ever heard, and I will definitely be stealing it! 😉

This is fantastic. Just blown away right now. I'll have more detailed thoughts later, but all I can say is I was smiling the entire time. The second half of this album is incredible.

I don't understand why people don't like this album version of Long Drives. It fits much more into the identity of the whole record than the MATZ version does. It's more optimistic, nostalgic and hopeful and the lyrics and instrumentation are more refined. As much as I still like the demo version, it was a pretty downbeat and bleak sounding track.

Also, Open All Night is one of the most unashamedly honest and most well-written BF songs yet!

riversedge wrote:

I don't understand why people don't like this album version of Long Drives. It fits much more into the identity of the whole record than the MATZ version does. It's more optimistic, nostalgic and hopeful and the lyrics and instrumentation are more refined. As much as I still like the demo version, it was a pretty downbeat and bleak sounding track.

I can only speak for myself, I just disagree with everything you pointed out minus this version fitting the overall aesthetic of the record better. Lyrically the original is superior, and it just feels more cohesive to me. I also don't like the key change and the pedal steel additions. The new one is too cut and paste for me. Not to mention I think the delivery of "I could never get her to believe" is very cheesy.

But to each his own. Good thing about music is we all have our own tastes and things hit us in different ways!

Those ascending 'pom pom pom poms' in Mojo Hand are awesome.

Also the backing vocals and Brian's Dylan-esque warbling in the outro of Red Lights are magnificent.

I love it, rosemary sounds a lot like the songs from brian fallon and the cincinnati rail tie.

I'm blown away by this record. I think it's the first since '59 Sound which doesn't have a song I would skip, I really really like all of them. I think Mojo Hand is the weakest track but only in comparison to the rest of the record which sets the bar so high.

Anyone know what's happening the The Blues, Mary? It's not one of the three songs on Georgia. I thought it might be one of the two released from that Spotify Playlist thing but unless I missed it we never heard about that again did we?