Couldn't Have Said It Better - album review

[Pudding]

I know I'm probably going to get shot down here but what the hell.

I think CHSIB is a very mediocre album with only 2 decent songs on it CHSIB and DIST and both of those has an annoying stop half way through. No doubt Meat had a few dozen demo's to choose from and if these were the best of the bunch then I'd hate to think what the others sounded like.

Pud

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by Pudding

I know I'm probably going to get shot down here but what the hell.

I think CHSIB is a very mediocre album with only 2 decent songs on it CHSIB and DIST and both of those has an annoying stop half way through. No doubt Meat had a few dozen demo's to choose from and if these were the best of the bunch then I'd hate to think what the others sounded like.

Pud

Load ...... Aim ...... Fire.....

I must admit Pud, that when I first bought the album last year my initial reaction was similar to yours, but since then it's really grown on me, seeing some of the songs performed live has obviously helped to make the cd versions sound better I think.

I now think that there are only 2 mediocre songs on the album (YRIWW and Why Isn't That Enough). Of the tracks that didn't make it onto the album that I've heard Decadent Wish should IMO have been included, and Unsaid should have remained Unsung

Andy

[Pudding]

No doubt if I'd have seen them live then they might have had more appeal to me but as it is I'm not overly struck. However I will be seeing Meat play in Christchurch in March with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and who knows perhaps a few more songs will grow on me. But saying that I'm hoping he does more Steinman tunes than anything else, although CHSIB and DIST would probably sound excellent with a full blown orchestra.

Pud:o]

[Kathy]

For me a big part of CHSIB's appeal is the fundamental theme of a man exposing all of his feelings to the women in his life. Such raw honesty — and Meat's mature voice and talent express it so perfectly, in every single song. So I'm halfway to loving it on the strength of that alone.

But I love the music, too. I agree "You're Right, I Was Wrong" might not stand alone as a single, but to me it fits in the album, as a sad song, but a little matter-of-fact, right where it is. Decadent Wish is one of my favorites and I wish it were on there. Where would it go? It would almost have to be first, wouldn't it.

I still think of this record as a unit — I always listen to it all the way through, like a book I can't put down. It still makes me smile, still turns me on, rarely makes me cry anymore but that's OK - it still makes me feel.

Now it's my turn to be shot down, because I'm wondering if this emotional man-singing-to-a- woman aspect generally appeals more to women than to men. Don't get mad at me for buying into stereotypes, I'm just wondering.
-Kathy

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by Kathy

Now it's my turn to be shot down, because I'm wondering if this emotional man-singing-to-a- woman aspect generally appeals more to women than to men. Don't get mad at me for buying into stereotypes, I'm just wondering.
-Kathy

You might have a point there. Women would probably get in-tune with the album as a whole more than men would because most men just listen and analyze a song at a time, where as women will probably try and find some underlying theme (like love) and therefor judge the album as a complete story.

For me I judge each song on its own merit and feel that Meat could have picked some better songs.

Pud:o]

[Vickip]

Originally Posted by Kathy

For me a big part of CHSIB's appeal is the fundamental theme of a man exposing all of his feelings to the women in his life. Such raw honesty — and Meat's mature voice and talent express it so perfectly, in every single song. So I'm halfway to loving it on the strength of that alone.

But I love the music, too. I agree "You're Right, I Was Wrong" might not stand alone as a single, but to me it fits in the album, as a sad song, but a little matter-of-fact, right where it is. Decadent Wish is one of my favorites and I wish it were on there. Where would it go? It would almost have to be first, wouldn't it.

I still think of this record as a unit — I always listen to it all the way through, like a book I can't put down. It still makes me smile, still turns me on, rarely makes me cry anymore but that's OK - it still makes me feel.

Now it's my turn to be shot down, because I'm wondering if this emotional man-singing-to-a- woman aspect generally appeals more to women than to men. Don't get mad at me for buying into stereotypes, I'm just wondering.
-Kathy

I feel exactly the same way Kathy .... this record is like a puzzle, and you have to look at how all of the pieces fit together as a whole.

Vicki

[Bart]

i also think same. I listen always the whole album. Like a story. I like the concept idea of it. I dunno what you mean that it appeals more to women than to men. i mean, a man is singing it, isn't it?

[LostSoul]

My PERSONAL review:

Music: a mix of pop/rock songs with a few ballads.

Lyrics: a story line well represented but with some lows and highs. Love the fact that the whole album is an unit. Each and every song finds its own place. Meat's emotional personal involvement on it is obvious!

Vocals: Meat's best for more than a decade!!!!!!!


- CHSIB: well written, treats one topic in a very intelligent way but don't like that much the music.

- DIST: love the constant rhythm changes. That song finds its real emotional way live, I'm affraid. Though it's one of my favorites.

- Why Isn't That Enough: a sweet ballad. I like it a lot but I wish it could be rawer - only the piano for example without all these parasite noises surrounding it. Love the vocals.

- Love You Out Loud: love it. Love the arrangements and specially these 5 keyboard notes after the first chorus.

- MOS: my favorite. A beautiful ballad, very passionate. Love the music and the lyrics. The arrangements are very basic but it works!

- Intermezzo: the link between part one and part two...

- Testify:love the music and the lyrics, this song is a big metaphor!!! I don't like that much the gospel part, it spoils a bit the song though it fits the topic! Live that song is awesome! One of my favorites!

- Tear Me Down: ................... I like it but I'd rather to hear it live! it's linked to Testify and Forever Young...

- YWRIWW: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..... seriously, I love the vocals but I don't like the lyrics! Diane Warren has a mission: make you cry! but she misses it everytime! it's always full of pathos!!!!!

- Because Of You: that's the more flagrant example of a studio song! too pop! At some parts Meat is forcing his vocals on it.

- Do it!: very funny song! it rocks! a different sound for Meat! love it!

- Forever Young: simply beautiful! I wish I could hear it live!

- Mercury Blues: another funny song but with a rock and roll beat! very cool!


Patricia
... verdict: love it!

[LostSoul]

Originally Posted by Pudding

You might have a point there. Women would probably get in-tune with the album as a whole more than men would because most men just listen and analyze a song at a time, where as women will probably try and find some underlying theme (like love) and therefor judge the album as a complete story.

For me I judge each song on its own merit and feel that Meat could have picked some better songs.

Pud:o]

Considering the whole album as a unit doesn't prevent one from judging a song... what kind of prejudice is that?


Patricia
...

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by LostSoul

Considering the whole album as a unit doesn't prevent one from judging a song... what kind of prejudice is that?


Patricia
...

I don't get it? how's it prejudice? and to what?

Pud

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by Bart

I dunno what you mean that it appeals more to women than to men. i mean, a man is singing it, isn't it?

You're right; I knew it was a mistake to say that. But I did anyway didn't I
I wasn't really thinking of basic differences between men and women anyway, but rather regional cultural male-female differences.I can say something about "men" to my next door neighbor and she'll have the same frame of reference as me, but I'd hesitate to say the same thing to someone from another country, or even the other side of this one. What I was referring to was the sort of men (not uncommon here) who can be emotional themselves, but who really DON'T want to hear OTHER men being emotional. I realize that probably sounds a little stone-age to many of you.

The only reason I "went there" in the first place is that CHSIB, for me, has a HUGE emotional impact. It's hard for me to understand how anyone else could fail to feel the same way.
-Kathy

[LostSoul]

Originally Posted by Pudding

I don't get it? how's it prejudice? and to what?

Pud

I was talking about the fact that you can be a woman (or a man) and listen to the album as a whole (or not) and be able to judge a song!


Patricia
... maybe blind, but not deaf!

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by LostSoul

I was talking about the fact that you can be a woman (or a man) and listen to the album as a whole (or not) and be able to judge a song!


Patricia
... maybe blind, but not deaf!

I don't think I said anything different did I? I said "Women would probably get in-tune with the album as a whole more than men would because most men just listen and analyze a song at a time". That doesn't mean women would 'get it' as an album and men wouldn't, nor does it say women can't judge an individual song just men can.

Obviously you're trying to pick or create faults with a statement I made when all I was doing was stating the truth.

Pud

[LostSoul]

Maybe I missunderstood...


Patricia
...

[meat loaf is my god]

CHSIBM i Think is a ok album ith some good songs it like Did I Say That and Forever Young (iT WAS GR8 WHEN HE DID IT LIVE AT THE NEC) Some of the songs dont do much 4 me but i have to keep listing to it becuse the more u listen to it the more it grows on you. (And ive been asked to sing forever young in my end of year colege show) Over all a good album with some grate songs and a grate voice

[RSG]

PURE GOLD = CHSIB