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Post by Kapitan on Mar 3, 2022 14:02:35 GMT
so when a majority of songs on an album concern a moody young man’s thoughts about love and his place in the world, it seems like there should be a theme. Then along comes a folk song about getting drunk on a boat. What else is a moody young man supposed to do!?
I totally understand the idea that people want to take a generally themed album and make it a stricter concept album, especially a narrative story. But I think it's just not that. If it's about anything, it's a constellation of powerful late/post adolescent emotions, whether exuberance, love, despair, loss, etc. And in its way, "Sloop" fits all that, just less directly.
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Post by carllove on Mar 3, 2022 14:12:27 GMT
so when a majority of songs on an album concern a moody young man’s thoughts about love and his place in the world, it seems like there should be a theme. Then along comes a folk song about getting drunk on a boat. What else is a moody young man supposed to do!?
I totally understand the idea that people want to take a generally themed album and make it a stricter concept album, especially a narrative story. But I think it's just not that. If it's about anything, it's a constellation of powerful late/post adolescent emotions, whether exuberance, love, despair, loss, etc. And in its way, "Sloop" fits all that, just less directly.
I do have to agree that the protagonist in the song is probably a young man, since he is on a boat with his grandfather and being a moody man with a lot on his mind, it makes sense he is getting drunk and in a bit of trouble. Maybe it’s the folky sound of the song, that seems to contrast with the lush loungey sound of the other tracks. Still - I have to admit Pet Sounds wouldn’t feel the same without “Sloop”. It gives one a brief comic relief from the general moodiness of the rest of the album.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 3, 2022 14:15:32 GMT
I don't think the folk sound comes through at all. I know that's the origin of the song, but the actual track fits very well with Pet Sounds' other songs, imo. I mean, they updated the chord structure somewhat and arranged it with flutes, electric 6- and 12-string guitars, those basses, sax, drums and percussion, etc. There's the double-time part, the a cappella break ... they took a folk song, but that is a sophisticated recording.
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Post by carllove on Mar 3, 2022 14:28:26 GMT
I can hear so much in your sighs And I can see so much in your eyes There are words we both could say But don't talk, put your head on my shoulder
If you should ever leave me Though life would still go on believe me The world could show nothing to me So what good would living do me
Henri Mancini like instrumental
But what?
Drinking All Night Got into a fight
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 3, 2022 14:36:45 GMT
Now you're switching paths to lyrics! But that's OK, too.
I think "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and especially "That's Not Me," for example, fit really well with "Sloop." Of course the language itself is different, because that's where we are talking about an old folk song's lyrics as opposed to a 1960s ad executive's lyrics. But it's all the restless, unsettled mind and heart of a young man. In "Wouldn't It Be Nice," it's anxiousness for sex and companionship. In "That's Not Me" it's autonomy and independence (and companionship).
In "Sloop," it's a more traditional setting of the same general spirit: a hero journey. But it's a hero journey gone wrong. He's going on an adventure to find himself, and he stumbles, and it sucks. It's basically the same as "That's Not Me," as far as I'm concerned. But it's in a different language, so it's more like a dream or interlude. More symbolic of the same story.
But yes, of course the specifics--an old-time journey at sea as opposed to moving out (presumably of your parents' house) and getting your own place--are pretty stark contrast. But it's the same basic thing, I think. Like Romeo & Juliet is the same as West Side Story (and probably 100 other books, movies, and TV shows), or like how Biblical or ancient Greek myths inform so many modern works.
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Post by carllove on Mar 3, 2022 15:12:35 GMT
Kapitan,
I think it’s just a combo of everything I mentioned that makes “Sloop” sound a bit out of place. Just like TM though, the album wouldn’t be the same without it.
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Post by Kapitan on Mar 3, 2022 16:09:58 GMT
Kapitan, I think it’s just a combo of everything I mentioned that makes “Sloop” sound a bit out of place. Just like TM though, the album wouldn’t be the same without it. I do understand. Also I hope you don't think I was being argumentative, just having a bit of fun with the discussion. I agree, actually--or at least see the point in saying--that "Sloop" isn't a perfect fit. I just think its lack of fit is overblown, usually by people who want a storyline-type concept album. Since I don't think that was ever the intent, I think that's a strange complaint.
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