next NC album

[monkeyjunkie]

A friend suggested we discuss what contributions Sean might make to this 3rd NC album. I think that is a good topic ponder. Any clues?

jenny

[Goose_17]

yeah..don't let this floor you like it did me but here we go..

songwriting, vocals, and guitar.

i know..its quite shocker huh. seriously though, what more did you have in mind?

[Tagatha]

Well, Sean's contributions on the debut were quite different to This Side, don't you think? In terms of his writing and creative input. Let It Fall was a very different album to 26 Miles too...So what do you think Sean is going to produce out of the hat for this album?

I think that is what Monkey was getting at...;)

[kokomo88]

yeah I think sean's going to start adding *tons* of interesting new things...I don't know if the group would go for percussion or anything...maybe they'll keep the group itself kind of...more on the traditional NC side I guess is what I mean, you know? Chris is more well..chris and sean's kind of jazzy no matter what you know what I mean? but i don't know if they'd incorporate more jazz into their stuff...I think...does anyone know what i mean?

[mastermandolin]

I would like to see Sean do some more mandolin, maybe another duet in the vein of For Alll It's Worth

[sean_guitar_fan]

Well, I hope they don't do all the stuff like on Sean's album and ad stuff like drums or stuff like that. I like them the way they are. Very unique. They need to stay non conformists! But I hope Sean has more lead vocals.

[Elizabeth]

I think there may definatley be a bit more Jazz influence in the next album.

I agree with the statements of disliking the idea of bringing in drums and sax and stuff, it sounds great on Sean's album but it's not very...erm...Nickel Creek, if you get my meaning, they're more acoustic sounding. And I too hope that Sean gets lead on a few more tracks. I don't know if it's just me but it seems that Sara and Chris on albums and in shows, over-power Sean somewhat? I don't mean that in a nasty sense, I like them all, and I know that Sean is the quieter of the 3 and perhaps he prefers it like that but...well...even down to things like Chris taking lead on parts of This Side, when ultimatley, that's Sean's song. Like I said, perhaps it's just me, but that's just my opinion.

Who knows, they all may love Sean's album and go for the unltimate Nickel Creek plugged album???!!! That may be interesting to hear but kinda weird too! Overall, I don't think they'll stray too much from the style of This Side, but who am I to say? I'm not them, I don't know how their musical minds work! And Sean is obviously in a time of change, from listening to 26 Miles, so his influence may rub off on their next album.

[monkeyjunkie]

I wouldn't be worried about Nickel Creek going for the plugged sound by adding drum loops or other electronic frills. It appears they do like quite a bit off that edgier music--covers of Radiohead and White Stripes--but they cover these in their style, which makes it an entirely new song. They went through such great lengths not to use a trap set and the like for This Side (I remember something about dropping oranges on guitar cases?) that I don't forsee them adding such things on their next album.

As for Sean--I think he has really grown lyrically and diversified musically. I can't wait to see what he contributes. I agree, I would like to see him do some mando. But that guitar is a piece of him. I also agree with those who have suggested he might bring a jazzy feel to the music--perhaps bluesy as well?

I'm on the edge of my seat . . .

[Goose_17]

Personally, I'd like to see Sean break into some more classical or flamenco style. The Spanish guitar has a very poetic sense about it to me when played correctly. I think Sean would be able to mend that together with the other styles, especially with Chris and the latest endevour in Mike where they explored all kinds of styles. Do note, I'm writing from the disadvantaged point of view of not having 26 Miles or Into the Cauldron so my preception may be limited considering I haven't heard in completion their most recent works. From what I have heard of 26 Miles I feel Sean is moving into more jazz/pop styles. I've told others many many times that he sounds very reminescent of Ducan Shiek (anyone who listens to him wanna back me up on this?). However I do sense a distinction that I can't fully explain when I say that Chris is getting into the more jazzier things also, but more along the lines the way Bela Fleck did with the Flecktones. What I am truly waiting for is years down the road possibly when the bandmates..or some of them are married..and in a more reflective period in their live where they will have their return to bluegrass. I'm excited about this eventhough its not guarenteed b/c after all this exploring and learning and searching they are doing, one day they might take all that in fuse it into their roots of bluegrass to create something better than anything out there. I know they have that ability and if it even happens, it won't be for awhile but thats my secret desire. The refusion of all this exploring into a return to their roots where they are writing new things..playing new things, and revamping old things into the acoustic style where I first fell in love with them. anywho..enough rambling for me.

[monkeyjunkie]

I think a love and respect for the bluegrass tradition has always been and will continue to be the foundation of Nickel Creek music. Sean is Nickel Creek, 1/3 of it and even in his side project one can sense that. As for the comparison with Duncan Sheik, I have to say no. I don't see it. If compared to anyone I would compare his style/sound on 26 Miles to DMB. But really, he's just Sean.

Regarding the topic of Flamenco and Classical guitar, see the Sean's album of the future thread.

[Tagatha]

I think that there will definitely be that whole Counting Crows/DMB vibe to Sean's influences and contribution that we saw on 26 miles - maybe a more polished version of it though.

I personally love the rough demo feel to 26 miles but don't think it would be right for an NC album...NC is all about tightness and seemingly reading one another's minds. lol. So yeah, maybe a polished version of that (a la This side or Seven Wonders...Seven wonders less so...).

I think it all really depends if they decide as a band to put on more instrumentals, or more vocals this time...but I definitely want to see some Sean vocal, and more Sean writing. I like the duelling mando suggestion too, but I think they've left that behind a little now...I think they are going to try as hard as possible with this album to focus on the 'progressive acoustic' and take another step out from under the banner of Bluegrass. Bluegrass is too restricting to them now and I doubt they will ever return to it fully. Sorry Goose.

I'd love to see a Sean/Sara penned song this time too. That gal must be writing something every now and then, and I know from writing with my brother that sometimes you know each other so well that the whole process is magic.

[Srol]

Y'know, Sean mentioned in a few interviews how he was trying to revisit his piano skills. 26 Miles contained some piano(although mainly remixed) played by Sean. Is it possible we'll see some more piano contributions from Sean in the future?

[Tagatha]

Oooh - i'd like to see that too! Might give me the kick up the backside I need to brush up on my own piano skills!

[kokomo88]

Sean playin piano! he could work wonders with a piano. that would be awesome

[monkeyjunkie]

Do you think NC would add piano to the format? I know they are branching out, but it seems like they have a Strings only policy. What do you think?

[Tagatha]

Well, technically the Piano is classed as a stringed instrument...;)..I'm sure they could get away with it. lol.

[matt the fiddler]

Well, technically the Piano is classed as a stringed instrument

ehhhh speaking technically it has strings.. but is not a string instrument family member [chordatones]... it is really a member of the percussion famly [as the strings are hit or striked with a mallet] it is more similiar to a xylophone/ or bells...


*oh, and chris has piano background in his family...

[monkeyjunkie]

Maybe Sean can do some sitar work. I see if I can barter for one while I am in India this summer.

Speaking of the stringed instrument family... does anyone have Silk Roads a YoYo Ma effort? Some pretty wicked strings are used on it. worth checking out.

[Tagatha]

Originally posted by matt the fiddler
Well, technically the Piano is classed as a stringed instrument

ehhhh speaking technically it has strings.. but is not a string instrument family member [chordatones]... it is really a member of the percussion famly [as the strings are hit or striked with a mallet] it is more similiar to a xylophone/ or bells...


*oh, and chris has piano background in his family...

Huh...I was always taught it was a member of the string section in an orchestra. Damn those lying music teachers!

[Srol]

Nope, piano is definately percussion cuz ya hit it. I remember from those old Saturday Concerts for Young People at the New York Philharmonic.