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Date Posted: 00:30:26 03/17/02 Sun
Author: Jeff Furman
Subject: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's?

I recently purchased "Whip Smart' and discovered the first track 'Chopsticks' has a noise starting about 1:10 or so lasting to the end of the track. Is this common? I have seen this on 100% of three cd's I've tried. The dealer doesn't think this remastered release has any flaws; who should get the complaint now?

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Replies:

[> Re: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's? -- Jenny, 19:48:03 03/17/02 Sun

>I recently purchased "Whip Smart' and discovered the
>first track 'Chopsticks' has a noise starting about
>1:10 or so lasting to the end of the track. Is this
>common? I have seen this on 100% of three cd's I've
>tried. The dealer doesn't think this remastered
>release has any flaws; who should get the complaint
>now?

I just listened to it and my copy has that sound as well. it sounds like guitar chords. the chords only change like two or three times, so it sounds also like an annoying noise. i assume this is the sound that you are referring to because it starts at about 1:09 and lasts the rest of the way. so im guessing its supposed to be there.


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[> [> Re: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's? -- Jeff Furman, 22:22:55 03/17/02 Sun

>>I recently purchased "Whip Smart' and discovered the
>>first track 'Chopsticks' has a noise starting about
>>1:10 or so lasting to the end of the track. Is this
>>common? I have seen this on 100% of three cd's I've
>>tried. The dealer doesn't think this remastered
>>release has any flaws; who should get the complaint
>>now?
>
>I just listened to it and my copy has that sound as
>well. it sounds like guitar chords. the chords only
>change like two or three times, so it sounds also like
>an annoying noise. i assume this is the sound that
>you are referring to because it starts at about 1:09
>and lasts the rest of the way. so im guessing its
>supposed to be there.
I have an mp3 file of this song, but probably not from this cd, that sounds clear throughout. My sense of the song is it should have a quiet background, as in the first part. The title, and the very simple, unadorned, piano accompaniment suggests a childlike innocence, however, the lyrics set a different perspective, one of a person dealing with an uncomfortable situation. If one interprets the explanation of shyness here, it is really a shield or barrier protecting oneself from either certain ruin or uncertainty. The idea of certainty comes from prior experience(re: 'Fuck and Run'); this is the maturity side of the coin. The immaturity side is the beginning of ones coming of age, the tension between people that is initially unfamiliar and stressful. Eventually, one understands this stress, but it's not easy to deal with initially.
This my background reasoning suggesting the sound is extraneous. Possibly, one would like to add a sound to signify some action at that point(re: 'What Makes You Happy' has the cacaphonic 'halo' emphasis accompanying the mother's responses, or actually her daughter's interpretation); no action in the lyrics of 'Chopsticks' justifies any special treatement at this point in the song. The disturbing noise seems to maintain pitch and level until the fade near the end, where I detect some chord structure, but the sound is mainly a drone, in my opinion, out of place. I can imagine some technical reasons(problems) for this sound, but not artistic reasons.
I get the idea that these tracks are recorded in one take-- listening to 'Mesmerizing' at about 1:43 I hear the word 'earphones' slightly disguised, followed, later, at about 2:06 by the question 'what?' equally disguised. These charming easter eggs to some are technical gaffes to others.
Do you know if there is any discussion regarding Liz's mixup of lyrics in the middle of 'Headache' ? I have heard amateur and professional musicians do such things live, but is this on the cd for the sake of reality, or economy? I empathize with Liz in her performance stress, but, the recording studio allows one to perfect the performance art. I am confused by this one.


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[> [> [> Re: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's? -- Neil, 04:29:46 03/29/02 Fri

Who should get the complaint?!!! I can't believe that you think its a 'technical glitch'. I love that sonic interference sound. Its totally deliberate. Embrace it..."But all hell broke loose after that"...what better way to reflect it musically with some feedback...superb!


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[> Re: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's? -- Jase, 08:07:49 03/31/02 Sun

>I recently purchased "Whip Smart' and discovered the
>first track 'Chopsticks' has a noise starting about
>1:10 or so lasting to the end of the track. Is this
>common? I have seen this on 100% of three cd's I've
>tried. The dealer doesn't think this remastered
>release has any flaws; who should get the complaint
>now?

It's *supposed* to sound like that. It does on the Matador/Atlantic CD from 1994, the vinyl release and the cassette.

It's the "dist. guitar" that John Henderson is credited with playing in the credits. "Feedback" may have been more appropriate, though.

Of course, the whole thing is unsurprising, when you consider that Liz is a fan of the Jesus and Mary Chain's _Psychocandy_ (there's a ton of white noise all over that album, all intentional).


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[> Missed words in Headache -- Caitlin, 14:43:34 04/26/02 Fri

I can't tell if she forgot the words or is perhaps just drunk.... she seems to be saying something, it's just not clear... (how about just really into the moment....)


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[> Re: Is first track always bad in all 'Whip Smart' cd's? -- eric, 13:31:00 07/25/02 Thu

Psst... if you listen to Exile, Liz has a lot of organ and feedback-type ambient stuff in the background, so it's to be expected.....


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