Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Studio

I apologize for my absence on this blog of late. I've been in the studio the past three weeks recording the third full length album for The Classic Crime. It's been an amazingly rewarding experience on one hand, and an extremely time consuming one on the other. This has been the fastest we've ever worked on a record, but it also feels like the most thorough. I've been inspired by the process and I'd like to sort out some of my thoughts on it.

I'll admit that I've never been as closely involved with one of our records as I am with this one. All of the songs save one were written this year, the same year I decided to start this blog. I feel like being able to write on this thing has improved my writing and how I communicate through a song, it's also given me an outlet and a focus that I haven't had before. Subsequently, this record is (I hope) more honest, poignant and raw, and I can honestly say that I believe this is the most "us" we've ever been.

On this record we've been learning that musical perfection is the sum of imperfect parts. On The Silver Cord (our last record) we experimented with tempos that moved and songs that had a natural ebb and flow. This record is even more dramatic. Only two songs were tracked with a click track (or a metronome for those who are unfamiliar) to keep time. We weren't too focused on the most technically perfect performance, the perfect tuning, or the perfect timing. The end result - what the imperfect parts create - is the perfect vibe, emotion or feeling, and that's what were going for.

Those who know us know that we are a band consumed with creating songs that focus on energy, melody and meaning as opposed to posturing and gimmicks. Not that there's anything wrong with gimmicks, we've just never been very good at them. We've always felt a need to be relevant, to speak to our generation in a language they can understand. I'll say in past records we've proudly worn our influences on our sleeves, maybe partly because we hadn't truly found our unique "sound" yet, but I also think it's partly because we knew that other relevant bands had had success with the same sounds. This record is different. The influences are there, but its such a progression from them. When I listen to these songs we're creating, it doesn't feel like we're doing a great job borrowing or building on our influences, it feels like we're doing something new and better. It feels like we're making important music.

We probably wont sell a million records. We probably wont sell a hundred thousand records. I'm aware that we might not sell any records, but that wont take away from the fact that I love this record. I love this direction, and that is gratifying enough.

We've got something for everyone on this album, some old "us," some new "us," and some "us" you've never heard before. We're the most "us" we've ever been and I love it.

9 comments:

  1. You may not sell a million records, but you will sell at least one.
    I'm excited to hear the result. ^_^

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  2. darn it rachelogisys, you stole my comment.

    you'll sell at least two then, because this *certainly* sounds like something very, very special.

    i am extremely proud/excited for the band's ever-growing musicality, as well as your willingness to use a deal of creative lisence... you make music with the right ingredients and the right intent. thank you for the time, effort, emotion and thought you have all put into your music... i absolutely cannot WAIT to hear this. :)

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  3. Can't wait to hear it Matt! Sounds like it's going to be great. :)

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  4. Sounds absolutely brilliant. Really, I'm probably more excited for this record than any other record.... ever. I find it incredible that you aren't opting for the click track... I haven't heard of a band doing that before. Heck, I'm a 15 year old with an acoustic guitar and I use a click track. I'm impressed, i really am.

    Anyway, I totally can't wait for this. I'm sure it'll blow my mind.

    Peace :)

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  5. i will be there for the cd release! i promise(it's in seattle right?)

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  6. http://mattsetzer.blogspot.com/

    hey thats my blog i have 0 followers if anyone wants to follow(including you matt) please do.

    hey matt how many tracks are there on the cd, and what letter does the cd start with

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  7. Wow...I am so psyched for this new record--can't wait!! The way you describe it just makes it sound so...raw and real and amazing, especially since I thought TSC was already pretty amazing, so...yeah. I will keep my mind open to whatever new (or old) sounds you guys have in store for us!

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  8. I believe we're all begging for ANY kind of chance to listen to this new "you" (guys). I will take crappy videos, very rough demo form, anything, I know it will somehow inspire :)

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  9. Well it looks like you've sold around nine copies already, including me! That's a good start & it's not even out yet! I just like the way you write, whether it's this blog or new music. I couldn't help but notice that you've matured quite abit in your writing with this blog, so if the album reflects any of that, then it'll be amazing! All this hype & you've got us drooling! Can't wait!

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