In all likelihood its just "one of those" that gives me a better experience in headphones and I'll feel better about it when I listen that way.
But man my several playthroughs over the past couple days could literally just be summed up with "😐"
Last night after listening, I switched over to "New Slaves" for its heavy ass reverb just as an antidote
Don’t have an issue with the songs themselves other than the fact they feel unfinished and leave me wanting more.
Don’t have an issue with the songs themselves other than the fact they feel unfinished and leave me wanting more.
Yeah i feel the same way, and the actual audio sounding flat just makes that even worse for me
Yeah i feel the same way, and the actual audio sounding flat just makes that even worse for me
Yeah it’s a little sad 😞 I haven’t listened to the live versions or any of the Sunday services but I can guess that they sound better and more full than what we got on the album. Have you?
My car's stereo system, which has always been the best listening experience to me for virtually any album. There's always the "once in a blue moon" albums/songs that has loudness issues or needs to have an EQ to help it balance out, but my go-to settings work for almost everything.
The last time my car's listening experience was weirdly flat like this was a good while back — and if my car audio doesn't do the job then my headphones have always helped, so I'm hoping that's what will happen in a couple days when I have some relaxing time to sit back and listen haha
Edit: I use aftermarket Pioneer speakers that I've had for nearly 5 years now (and across 2 cars). I didn't install the tweeters in the car I have now, but tweeters obviously aren't the issue im having with JIK cause all the flatness is in the deeper ranges. Also, I don't use a kicker or subs because they rattle my backseat truck latch and it sounds like s*** But my regular speakes do a solid job of covering that range without the extra wubs
it is mastered like s***. Don't think it has less depth than his past two solo albums. I only started liking songs after I listened to it with my headphones.
Yeah it’s a little sad 😞 I haven’t listened to the live versions or any of the Sunday services but I can guess that they sound better and more full than what we got on the album. Have you?
I only watched like 2 of the Sunday Services, and both of them were very recent haha. But from what I saw (and have read elsewhere), the SS shows rarely ever features new Kanye music. They were largely performances of contemporary gospel standards and then live renditions of classic Kanye songs that would mix into the choir's gospel ones.
For example, one I saw earlier this month had the choir group belting out T. L. Barrett's "Father Stretch My Hands", and towards the end they started repeating the familiar sample refrains, and then the beat from Kanye's song transitioned in and he rapped/sang while the choir was doing the background vocal part throughout the song.
That was a really great performance tbh. But 90% of the songs were just familiar gospel standards and updated hymns from what I saw
So far, I really don't have any issues with JIK in regards to lyrics. My main issue is just how hollow a lot of the songs hit me musically.
Idk if its an issue with compression when translated to streaming services, an issue with the mix/master, or if the elements Kanye used were just middle-of-the-mall quality. Hell, maybe my car's system has finally started to fail and thats why I'm having poor experiences while listening... But almost every track seems to lack the necessary sonic "depth" or dynamic range that gives songs a heartbeat and commands your ears' attention. Most of JIK's songs sound like someone hold a cymbal between their fingers while its being struck — just really shallow whacks that don't carry weight for me.
Not just talking about a lack reverb either, but the samples and synths just don't sound like their quality is up to par for some reason. 90% of the instruments I've heard in my several listens so far sound like they have either abysmal resistance to decay, or its nonexistent. It doesn't matter what the instrument is — various drums, the "stomps", etc...
Even the damn church organ, the thing known for having one of the commanding timbres in all of music, comes through my stereo system sounding like a Fisher-Price toy organ that got wet a long time ago and just emits a flat, organ-like noise now.
I'm leaving for a family roadtrip Thursday morning, and when I'm not driving I'm gonna try listening with a solid pair of headphones to see if it still sounds the same. I'm praying it helps, cause the production on JIK itself is already leaving a lot for me to desire, but if the actual sound is really this flat too...
It's your stereo fam
it is mastered like s***. Don't think it has less depth than his past two solo albums. I only started liking songs after I listened to it with my headphones.
Im banking on that working for me too
i always wanna dress up for Halloween but never wanna spend money/time on a good costume. i’m the worst lmao
Same too much effort and it's too cold out to hit the town in a costume as well
mastering is horrible
but studying dust taught me that sound quality doesnt matter
It's your stereo fam
Gonna wait for the headphone test before making conclusions, especially since nearly everything else i play sounds as well-balanced and enveloping as ever.
But ive been contemplating whether or not i should buy a new set of cat speakers after this christmas anyway cause i just feel like ive had these for a long while even though they're still working fine (AFAIK anyway)
Don’t have an issue with the songs themselves other than the fact they feel unfinished and leave me wanting more.
These songs were concocted specifically to leave you wanting more
mastering is horrible
but studying dust taught me that sound quality doesnt matter
laughs in MBDTF turned up to 3/4 of max volume in any decent stereo setup
mastering is horrible
but studying dust taught me that sound quality doesnt matter
:Denzel: tbbbbhhhhh it's the feel at emotion lol so many of my fave jams were recorded like s***
Or should i say "c(r)ackles"
:Denzel: tbbbbhhhhh it's the feel at emotion lol so many of my fave jams were recorded like s***
The Love Cycle's production quality fits perfectly
laughs in MBDTF turned up to 3/4 of max volume in any decent stereo setup
Every Hour is a real ear slicer after I pressed play with my headphone volume at 20%
could have easily dressed up as Jesus if you hadnt cut your hair
yeah s*** would’ve been corny tho, people called me that s*** all the time anyways lol
What people think of new Swans? Pretty decent imo but doesn't touch The Seer or To Be Kind
Every Hour is a real ear slicer after I pressed play with my headphone volume at 20%
you just being ridiculous now lmao
The Love Cycle's production quality fits perfectly
Good example. I fiddle with the bass and treble knobs in my car pretty much every song... Necessary unless you're listeng to something mastered by Flood or someone.
What people think of new Swans? Pretty decent imo but doesn't touch The Seer or To Be Kind
i only listened once but I dig the lighter instrumentation. don’t think it’s better than those either, but i gotta listen some more. it’s kinda like a cool combo of their new style mixed with their more restrained 90s s***.
:Denzel: tbbbbhhhhh it's the feel at emotion lol so many of my fave jams were recorded like s***
But this isnt the 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s tho.
Tbh, there's no good reason for these songs not translating the same sound quality and levels as stuff like "I'm in It", "Only One", "FML", or "Waves" when played at similar volumes or setting.
Every time I've listened to "On God", I immediately think about how much more present and dynamic "Waves" sounds in comparison. They use similar build-ups and constant rapid fire elements, but "On God" sounds like I'm listening to it through a GameBoy Color, while "Waves" sounds like I'm in a commercial for Five Gum.