Solo v. Band in Two Places At Once / Solo Work & Side Projects Forum

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Solo v. Band

Author	Comment
Marcelo	Solo v. Band	Lead	[-]
Snowfaller Posts: 688 (05/08/2002 14:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : misc Remove this ad Since The Church is a religion, are we allowed to make confessions? If so, I must confess that, since 1995, I generally prefer the solo efforts and collaborations of the band members to the material released under the name of The Church. I could easily choose a selection of songs from Snow Job, Pharmakoi, Love Era/Irony, Hanging Out in Heaven, and Dabble that would top my favorites from MATS+/HOB/ABOB/AENT. To me, the solo efforts seem more inspired, more daring, and generally more interesting than the band efforts. Anyone else feel this way? -Marcelo Last Edited By: chrome3D 12/20/2007 01:06. Edited 1 time.
afterimage	Re: Solo v. Band	#1	[-]
Space Saviour Posts: 2448 (05/08/2002 16:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That is one gutsy remark!! As for myself, I don't compare the two... I keep them in separate compartments. I put all Church material in it's own special category, so I very rarely compare it to other bands or to Church side projects. I guess in this way, it remains "untouchable" and I never have to deal with the chance of dealing with the heartache of them coming up second best. The solo projects I view as all the left over elements that the members of the Church have to offer, which don't fit into the vision of the Church. So it makes sense that these are much more experimental and more spontaneous. There are so many wondrous avenues here to be explored. But, can you have one without the other? Sorry, Marcelo, I cannot answer your question... *Amanda
reposed	Re: Solo v. Band	#2	[-]
Posts: 46 (05/09/2002 18:05) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I understand your sentiments Marcelo. I thoroughly enjoy the solo efforts of all members, and it kind of bridges the gap for me between full band releases. I can't make a cut and dry separation between the band music vs. the solo music though. I kind of relate it to a family with members branching out, but all still connected to something as a core. I can only hope that the solo projects are not left over tidbits of inspiration, but entire gems that are just unearthed in a different way when left to create music by themselves. These men are just so darn prolific! I image it is a different beast all together to create music with a group---but these musicians probably are creating music all the time and some is suitable for solo work, some for the band, and still tons we will never even hear. I think that the solo work probably feeds the desire to create in a group and vice versa. I have so much gratitude for all the works that make up the entire library of music that is the Church and each solo career. I am with you Marcelo on having certain solo tracks rank right up there in my personal "all time favorite" music realm! Heather
timebeing(d)	Re: Solo v. Band	#3	[-]
Posts: 2995 (05/17/2002 08:59) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad "It's not a religion, it's just a technique It's just a way of making you speak" So it should still be OK to make confessions Even if prefer the Church sound I really appreciate the solo music. I love several songs from the solo albums I have, some I even like a lot more than some Church songs, but I still listen a lot more to the Church albums than to solo and collaborations. Even MATS has a few songs that I prefer to those from solo albums. But I must admit that I don't have all of the most recent solo releases, and I can't really judge from the same perspective as Marcelo. I'm with Amanda in not comparing the different streams of creative flow that they offer, and in considering that the solo projects are the music they can create that doesn't fit with the vision of the Church. I would think that some of the experimentation that occurs in solo efforts can trickle into and enrich the sound of the Church. I also see the solo efforts as essential to the longevity of the band, allowing each one to create and record music that would never fit into the Church but that they need to put out. "Oh, I want life...I want to rise up, out of this chamber and clamber into the sky..."
Random Pan	Re: Solo v. Band	#4	[-]
Snowfaller Posts: 551 (05/17/2002 13:40) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Interesting proposition, Marcelo. I tried some of the solo albums / side projects back in the Starfish / GAF days, including Slow Crack, Remindlessness, Jack Frost I, Hex I, Manchild & Myth, and Art Attack. None of these got much spin time back then, however. I felt that there were a few good songs on these albums, but I had trouble hearing through what I then viewed as production weaknesses. Also it seemed that parts were missing, especially on Steve's efforts where keyboard tracks occupy the spaces where I wanted to hear PK and MWP's guitars. I saved my enthusiasm for the full band. In hindsight, I think I made the mistake of wanting the side projects to be Church albums too much to hear them for their own merits. Over the last year or so I have been re-acquiring several of these recordings and hearing them with fresh ears. A couple of things have happened: one, my ears are "bigger" now, so certain sonic qualities register better with me now than they did a dozen years ago (i.e. drum machines); two, the side projects have simply gotten better and better as the creators gain experience and mastery. Marcelo points out that these albums are more inspired and more daring than Church albums. I think that stands to reason...there is less of a need to compromise on these albums than on full-band Church albums. If, say, Peter is inspired to try something, he can just go and do it, without having to filter it through the other band members. And viola...you get Love Era / Irony. That said, though, I get too much of a rush from the collective sound of the Church, especially on HOB and AENT, to completely say "solo is best". I probably would not have given the side projects much of a hearing if I hadn't first been captivatied by "that sound" we all know and love so well. Of course, part of the joy of being a latter-day Church fan is that, between the full band efforts and the side projects, there is just this incredibly rich body of work. Dare I say that the Church have had more satisfying "solo" careers than the Beatles? I've recently purchased both Jack Frost albums (at rock bottom prices at a used shop in Boulder, CO when I was out that way for the AENT tour stop) and its so much fun to delve into these fantastic recordings and explore this particular facet of Steve's music that I wasn't that familiar with before. When I return to AENT, I just appreciate that album all the more. So, instead of "solo v. band", I'm inclined to say "solo AND band(s)"! Michael
Marcelo	Solo + Band	#5	[-]
Snowfaller Posts: 688 (05/19/2002 21:23) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	There's no logical reason, of course, to create an artificial competition between solo and band material. My irrational Id decided that the best way to start a conversation on the topic was to introduce an opinionated "gutsy remark" on the subject Your comments thus far, everyone, are interesting and greatly appreciated. My main intent in all of this is to highlight how much better, in my opinion, the solo/side project material has been since '95 (heck, since Spirit Level and Narcosis in '92) compared to the earlier releases. Not just production values, but songwriting and arrangements as well. For me, the latest releases by every band member are the best. Throw in Snow Job and Pharmakoi, and you've got a true feast for the soul. On the other hand, The Church as a band peaked between '85 and '94. Although I like much of The Church's material in the post-Arista days, it doesn't carry the same weight as before. The excellent solo releases of late have helped maintain my passionate interest in the musicians involved, above and beyond what it would be if they stuck to recording only as a group. This was not the case pre-1995, when the solo releases were for me mostly curious distractions. We should be thankful not only that they have been so prolific, but that individually they are also improving their art, creating new and vibrant branches on an old but sturdy tree. -Marcelo
Old Flame	Re: Solo + Band	#6	[-]
Pantechnicon Posts: 147 (05/24/2002 07:01) Glow Worm Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Marcelo, Around the time of SA and MATS, I might of agreed with you, but with HOB and AENT, I think the Church as a group are stronger than any of the solo efforts. And several previous Church efforts I also believe are much better than the solo efforts. I have heard nearly all the solo/side things (except for PK sadly), and I personally enjoy Church releases much more. Frankly, I think MWP releases are getting weaker (I will take Art Attack and Ryhme over HOIH any day). I also do not think SK's latest (Dabble, Narcosis) are nearly as good as Slow Crack, Remindlessness, and Unearthed. I have only heard Manchild and Myth by PK, and would really like to hear his later releases. I tend to really enjoy the Jack Frost and Hex stuff, but still not as much as Church productions. It seems everyone really raves about Re:fomation, and perhaps I am the lone voice willing to say I am not too crazy about that release, even though The Moon and Sea is one of my favorite all time songs (its the only song I play over and over on that release). I think both HOB and AENT are superior releases. And if I think about Heyday, Seance, Blurred Crusade, Starfish - well - then I think The Church are much better together than the side projects. But, honestly, I am happy to have all Church related things in my collection, and nearly every release has at least a few gems that justify the often great difficulty/expense in obtaining them. give me the band! kevin

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