dylnfan wrote:shaneoftheroad wrote:dylnfan wrote:Driving back now, will post more later. Until then...
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Advanced listening party with the band, signatures and a one-of-a-kind photo print. Music fan perfection.
It was pretty epic. Couple of random thoughts, as I don't have time to write a full review of the experience (buried in work after missing yesterday).
1. The Stone Fox served up tasty libations (was driving so I had to pass) and grilled dogs w/pickled cabbage, mango salsa, and jalapeño ranch. Could have eaten them all day.
2. We all got a full tour of the TMR facilities (sans the main office space for some reason) - recording booth, design department, merch storage, distribution/packaging center, office space, etc. The office space is done up to look like an old manufacturing plant, that was at one point converted to a hotel, then the record business that it is now. My description does not even do it justice, only pictures will make sense. Oh yeah, and there's an elevator built to look like it's housed in a giant old blast furnace.
3. Stripped us of all phones and personal belongings before entering the blue room, where we were greeted individually by Jack. It was too freaking weird. I was so blown away by the room itself, that I had to do a double take when Jack introduced himself to me. Pretty cool, he really made an effort to introduce and shake everyone's hand. Did the same throughout the time we were listening to the record...moving across the room and sitting next to folks, getting people drinks, chatting folks up about the record, etc.
4. Per the aforementioned chatting, turns out Jack's favorite track on the new LP is "Three Dollar Hat," while all of the DW's friends like "Let Me Through." He said he was particularly proud of his performance on 3$Hat and, believe me, he's got every reason to be. It's got an incredibly cool hip-hop vibe, the drumming is insane, etc. Folks are really going to dig it.
5. My impression of the LP - heavy as fuck, and consistently good. Instantly loved most tracks but highlights were "I Feel Love" (vocal track and time changes are wicked), "Three Dollar Hat" (again, super cool hip-hop vibe), "Be Still" (Allison's vocal track is unbelievable), and "Impossible Winner." The latter will blow folks away, as it doesn't necessarily fit with anything else on the record. It's anthemic, uplifting, and according to Jack, "the best song Allison has ever written." I couldn't help gushing to Dean about how much it sounded like an old Queen track (as a kid who grew up on 70's rock, he totally took that as a compliment).
6. After the record was over, we were invited to stick around, chat with the band, get pics, etc. Everyone was incredibly gracious and appeared to genuinely enjoy talking with us. On our way out, we got a goodie back w/the signed HYFTH single I posted earlier, and the "video production department" interviewed us for our impression of the record. Let's hope my interview doesn't show up anywhere...I've got a face for radio.
Anyway, an incredible time that will not be forgotten. BTW, if some of you were hesitating to enter the contest thinking you'll never get selected, Cam said that because of the short notice you had about a 1/25 chance of winning...not bad really. And he's still not divulging the number of Vault members, so don't bother asking. LOL!