Finally, it is here. The album that I have been anticipating for months, perhaps, even since I first heard Copeland rush through my ears. The hopeless crush that I have on the band's lead singer, Aaron Marsh, is only triumphed by the words that he sings and the notes that erupt from his piano.
I have to start by saying that I have always been a fan of the 'B-side'. I have a theory that b-sides contain so much more than what the album intended because they tend to complete the albums themselves. B-sides tell their own stories, sometimes better than the songs that everyone knows by heart. Some of my favourite songs have been b-sides...and my greatest memories stem from those songs.
Being completely in love with Aaron Marsh (as I am) reading the liner notes is shear delight, as you quickly figure out that it was his hand that penned those very words, explaining the story behind each song.
While some of these recordings make us a bit red-faced as all artists get when they listen to their old material, each of these songs has a bit of nostalgia, an interesting story, or marks a milestone in our career.
Most of these songs I have previously owned, and played over until my ears bleed, but Copeland has done an amazing job cleaning up tracks and re-defining each song giving them more character and dimension than when previously recorded, if this was even possible. Further more, previously unreleased songs have been added to this record, which is always a delight.
The liner notes alone are worth it. With a guided tour of every song penned by Aaron Marsh, you can almost hear him laugh at the memories and groan at the frustration of recording certain titles. The notes are so down to Earth and real that one feels as though they have been talking to Aaron Marsh their whole life. No, I do not believe that I am stretching this due to me girlish love for Mr. Marsh. Stories of how songs were recorded in hotel rooms are shared, along with personal reviews and favourites of the band, breathing life into songs which are already so alive to many Copeland fans.
'Dressed Up and In Line' includes Acoustic and Mix versions of 'Brightest', 'When Paula Sparks' from 'Beneath the Medicine Tree' (2003), 'You Love To Sing', 'Sleep', 'No One Really Wins' from 'In Motion' (2005), and 'Careful Now' from 'Eat, Sleep, Repeat' (2006). Previously unrecorded songs, covers, and songs from their split EP with Pacifico include, 'Thanks to You' written by Bryan Laurenson, 'Chin Up', 'Black Hole Sun' a cover of Soundgarden's song for the 'Punk Goes 90's' compilation, 'Interlude', 'Every Breath You Take' a cover of The Police song recorded for a tribute album, 'May I Have This Dance', 'That Awful Memory of Yours', and 'Second Star to the Left, Go Til Dawn'.
This compilation of songs truly defines what Copeland is all about; the naked song. The song that is stripped down bare, but still perfect in every way.
The opportunity to prepare this collection has been a trip down memory lane for us.
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Now playing: Copeland - When Paula Sparks (Alternate Recording)
via FoxyTunes
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