Polling Into Something: The Feelies Good Earth Poll

has any sophomore record sounded so different -- at least on the surface -- than a debut? Granted, The Good Earth features a completely different rhythm section and was recorded 6 years after Crazy Rhythms, but still, the shift in sound is pretty startling! Once you get into it, you can see the similarities in what Mercer & Million were doing ...

"Slipping (Into Something)" or "Tomorrow Today." The first few songs are rather a blur, no? A pleasant one though.

I'm leaning towards "Slipping" too -- I just think the final rave-up is incredible, a raging storm that rises up in otherwise placid surroundings. Still manages to be exciting after hundreds of listens.

An excellent excuse to listen to this album five times in a row.

"Slipping" is pretty amazing, which is kind of unfortunate in the sense that it dates from the Crazy Rhythms days.

great fucking album. by far my favorite of theirs. last two songs are sublime, can't decide between them

"When Company Comes" is from way back in the Crazy Rhythms days as well -- dunno if it makes any difference though! "Slipping" is nowhere near as intense and fully formed in 1978 as it is in 1986. Some of these other songs are probably old as well -- these guys were not exactly the types who threw things away. Not a lot of outtakes, anyway.

I love "Slipping" through "Two Rooms" - high point square in the middle of this. I know for many this is their favorite Feelies record, but I really love the often maligned Only Life the most. I'm weird.

I blame the nineties for instantly thinking of Blues Traveler's "Run Around" when I hear "High Road."

yeah, haha, it is similar, those opening chords. still love "high road" though. The guitar solos on this record are pretty much perfect throughout. Such a sweet sound.

just bought this album when the reissues came out and after only a few listens it has yet to really click for me. I've had and loved Crazy Rhythms and Only Life for a while, so I'm assuming it's only a matter of time.

oh yeah. it'll come.

Company; tend to listen to this one whole.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

love love love this album, simply impossible for me to pick just one, have to sit out this vote

Slipping Into Something.

Christ, Slipping into Something just roars.

Slow Down needs more love here, people. Got my vote easily.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

oof, more people need to get into this album. one of the best of the 80s imo.

Now I kinda wish I'd upped "The Last Roundup", which has a unique feel in their catalogue.

Only Life next, then?

i didn't vote because I couldnt' decide. I may have voted for The Last Round Up though.

Is it weird to like this more than (okay, as much as ) Crazy Rhythms? Anyway, I do.

I do, too

i like only life as much as crazy rhythms. still haven't really gotten into the good earth.

Good Earth and Crazy Rhythms compete for my attentions and the number 1 spot, depending on my mood.

i vastly prefer this album to crazy rhythms

I like this Q:

has any sophomore record sounded so different -- at least on the surface -- than a debut?

I feel like Thomas Dolby has kind of a similar situation - 1st album was a total classic, 2nd album way more "introspective" than expected and wound up being underrated.

also, this album does indeed rule. reminds me of doing community service in college as I'd listen to this nonstop while doing groundskeeping work. not surprised "slipping" ran away with it but I think my fav is "two rooms" (thats the one that goes "come as you are/can't be too hard" right?)

basically think of crazy rhythms feelies and good earth as two (equally awesome) bands at this point.

Hey! Here's a live version of The Good Earth I put together in honor of the album's 30th (!) anniversary.

peter buck's finest production