I think one of the biggest things that irks me about LP's music is the fact that Phoenix doesn't really play to his full potential. I've noticed in a lot of LP songs, Phoenix's bass line pretty much is supporting Brad's playing. Nothing Phoenix does really stands out above everyone else. Especially in QWERTY, Phoenix pretty much plays the same thing that Brad does. What do you guys think?
I actually thought QWERTY was a kinda cool bassline from Phoenix, yes it mostly follows the guitars, but during the verses he's just droning on an open C# while Brad does the lick higher up the neck, and since Brad's line is the notes C#, D, B. and E (not in that order but you get the idea), with Phoenix staying on the same note the instruments are constantly going back and forth between dissonance, harmony, and unison. It gives an edgy feel to the song, and based off Making of Meteora, we know that Phoenix tracks bass after all the guitars are done, so it shows that he knows how to make a song work. I think the new album should hopefully show some more flash from Phoenix (and Rob and Brad as well) with Rick Rubin producing. Phoenix didn't record anything on Hybrid Theory and Brad did a good portion of the bass on Reanimation, and we all know how overproduced and reworked Meteora was (it might as well have been Don Gilmore's album). I know from listening to The Snax that Phi has a lot more potential, he's a very good slap style player with a background in ska/punk/funk type playing, in fact when I first listened to some Snax stuff his style reminded me a good deal of Matt Freeman from Rancid. I'd like to see him use this in some LP stuff instead of just playing with a pick all the time.
I think that seriously, everyone is held back. All Brad plays is power chords. Phoenix plays what Brad plays. Mike raps like shit. Chester, well, he's been restricted to screaming a lot these days. Joe, don't get me started. Rob is just Rob.
Like tasta said, I really hope each member gets to play to their fullest ability. It's not fair to the musicians to hold back any talent.
Yea, i know brad at least has referred to the "simplistic nature of the band" but why should it be simple? if they all step up to their potential, no one is gonna get pushed aside or anything
I mean really, all powerchords, 3 chord songs, drum parts that are based on the classic kick on 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4 pattern, that kind of stuff works in punk and some classic rock (see AC/DC), but I never understood why it became so popular with metal. Disturbed realized it, and Dan Donegan started playing his ass off on their latest album. Mark Tremonti was held back all the time in Creed and once he formed Alter Bridge he surprised everybody with how well he can shred. Bands like Coheed and Cambria, Muse, etc., they're doing real complex stuff. Guitar-driven rock is really starting to come back, and hopefully LP realized this, otherwise they'll really be behind the times if they come out with another album of nothing but powerchords and harmonics.
Damnit, I tried to Digg your comment Mark. Then I rememberd this isn't digg... In fact I do this all the time on lpa. lol