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Album of the Year | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 10, 2004 | |||
Recorded | August 2003–February 2004 | |||
Genre | Indie rock | |||
Length | 53:22 | |||
Label | Saddle Creek Records | |||
Producer | Mike Mogis | |||
The Good Life chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Pitchfork Media | (8.0/10) [2] |
Prefix Magazine | (7/10) [3] |
Album of the Year is the third album by The Good Life. The limited edition release includes a second disc with an acoustic version of the album. The enhanced CD comes with footage of videos recorded February 3, 2004, at O'Leavers in Omaha, Nebraska.
This album is the 64th release of Saddle Creek Records.
The album is a concept record chronicling the end of a relationship and the emotions that come with it. The first track begins in April. The entire story is summarized in the first track, "Album of the Year." The main male character is dating a bartender, as referenced in the songs "Album of the Year" (She got a job at Jacob's/serving cocktails to the local drunks) and "Night and Day" (Night and day she tends to her bar/She pours the drinks, they pour out their hearts).
The first three songs talk mainly about the main character and his girlfriend, at the beginning of their relationship. "You're No Fool" is a glimpse into the ridicule the main character's girlfriend faces, as others speculate about her boyfriend's fidelity, and "Notes In His Pockets" lists several instances of his assumed unfaithfulness, as he cheats on her with ex-girlfriends and girls met in bars. These two songs do not explicitly say whether or not the infidelity actually occurred, leaving it to the listener to determine. "You're Not You" and "October Leaves" document the growing dissatisfaction with their relationship, from the point of view of the woman and the man, respectively. The relationship, at this point, is falling apart. At the end of "October Leaves", there is spoken word conversation between the man and woman, starting with the female's voice:
-Hey?
-Yes?
-Are you sleeping?
-No.
-Can I ask you something?
-Yes.
-Are you cheating on me?
-No.
-Are you lying?
"Lovers Need Lawyers" has the main character defending his actions, claiming that he did not cheat on his girlfriend, and drawing metaphors to feeling like he is 'on trial'. "Inmates" is primarily sung by the girlfriend character of the album, and constitutes the end of their relationship. (Well guess what? I'm leaving./I can't be your prisoner.). The last three tracks deal with the male protagonists's life, post-breakup. We learn that the female protagonist has moved on ("A New Friend") and that the main character hasn't spoken to his now ex-girlfriend in two years ("Two Years This Month").
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Art in Manila was an American indie rock "supergroup" consisting primarily of musicians based in the Midwestern states of Nebraska and Kansas. After originally forming with the name Art Bell, the band later changed its name. Their album Set the Woods On Fire (2007) was recorded by Joel Petersen and mixed by Andy LeMaster. At the time the album was recorded, the band consisted of Steve Bartolomei, Corey Broman, Orenda Fink, Ryan Fox, Dan McCarthy, and Adrianne Verhoeven ; former members include Stefanie Drootin and Chris Senseney.
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