I think that the album is close enough to its official release that we all can come clean.

I have a copy of Exhibit A. I've had it for several months now. The person who gave it to me was told not to give it to anyone, so naturally he gave it to me and at least two other people. He told me not to give it to anyone, and of course I didn't, except for TF and Token.

As soon as the track listing was announced, I put the tracks in order and used Goldwave to shave off some of the extra pieces on the tracks (esp. Harder to Ignore). I then added my "See You Thru" b-side from the sessions to the end to make my own Deluxe Edition Exhibit A.

As I expected, I was a little disappointed when I first heard it. This is not because of the quality, but because of what an imagination can dream up about how awesome it will be to have an album. I kept listening to it, and of course I love it now. It is truly the best representation of the Features committed to CD to date. It has strengthened my love of "Idea..." after having gotten tired of it, sold me on "Situation Gone Bad" after never really liking it, and reminded me why I loved "Exorcising Demons" from the very beginning. And "Harder to Ignore" is still my current favorite Features tune.

Do I personally believe this album has the strength to catapult the Features into stardom? I'm not sure. I don't consider myself the one to be the judge: my finger is not on the pulse of the market or what's hot in the indie realm. I think it will lead to lots more recognition for the band. Not having an album has always been their biggest hurdle. Getting one out on a major label with nation-wide distribution is a great leap.

I wish I could find it now, but there once was an interview posted on the internet with an employee of Spongebath. She gave a brief description of each of the bands. Toward the bottom of her list, she mentioned the Features and said, "They're going to take over the world without even knowing it." I think she was among a lot of hopefuls who loved the band but knew they could never surpass Self and the Katies et. al. I admit I was one. Well, look where we are now. And I think that statement might be true.

Anyone else care to confess???

Well if you had to put the tracks in order than you don't have the current mastered version of the album. When the album was finally mastered to their liking and committed to CD the tracklist has not changed from then to the retail version we'll see Monday night.

Just my guess and if it's true than you should like what you hear even better when you buy the real thing.

(Edited by BrianW at 3:42 pm on Sep. 11, 2004)

I've had it since June, and I too have not given it out. When it's officially released, I'd like to put up a detailed review. The upcoming release gives me a strange pleasant feeling, as if we're all about to witness a wedding or a birth or some sort of holiday. I don't know about superstardom, but in comparison with some of these other "newcomers" getting tons of radioplay I think The Features will do very well.

Since June, I've bought a new set of computer speakers because I blew my old ones out playing Circus nonstop at full volume.

i downloaded (most) of it a few weeks ago... well, all of it but demons..

my thoughts on it were that A) i'm going to get a copy at the release show anyway, so getting it early wouldn't hurt because i would let my friends back home (in texas) listen to it and try and get the band a few more fans.

also, that dallas/murfreesboro car ride can get mighty boring, i figured i needed something new and upbeat to help me along the way.

the first time i listened to 'exhibit a' (the song) i was totally blown away. it's a great, great record, and i'm not just saying that because i'm a big fan/they're local. it's just a great rock record.

(Edited by dontstaylong at 3:57 pm on Sep. 11, 2004)

I knew it wasn't the finished product; I'm eager to compare the two.

I've had it for over a year now, I think. Generally speaking, I loved it from the first listen. There are still songs that I don't love (Blow It Out), or do but I don't think should be on the album (Demons), and there are tracks that I wish were on it (GSR'N'R). However, like YDDD said, it is definitely the best representation of The Features ever committed to tape and think it has potential on the level of the Frans Ferdinands and Hiveseseses of the world. I think, though, that their potential is relative to how much they're willing to tour. They aren't going to have MTV and radio success on the level of Avril Lavine. They're going to have to go out there and win people over one by one, and with twins and whatnot involved, we'll see what their attitude on touring is. The fact that the album comes out in 3 days and there is no tour announced concerns me a lot. The record is not going to sell itself. But I digress, I like the album a lot (and no, I don't have the final mastered version either, but I get the point), but the music business is unpredictable at best, so we'll just have to wait and hope and see.

Just for the record.... I've had all major incarnations of the album since they came back from Oxford, and I didn't give it it to anyone. I suck.

I also have the retail version, since it had just come from the pressing plant before the band left for England. What the hell is Rory going to say to me when I'm dragging their asses to the airport at 4 in the morning? Everyone gets some but you? Ha!!!

I think its a very good album, and some of the incarnations that are out there are 2 or 3 generations back, its better than those versions. They should be very very proud of it. Extensive touring will put this band at the top of the heap.

I wish I would've had my camera with me when they opened up their cd's for the first time. They were all trying to be all cool about it, but they were grinning from ear to ear like little kids at Christmas.

i agree with all of this...i don't care for Blow It Out very much, and i think God Save Rock n' Roll would've substituted nicely for Exorcising Demons...i was very unhappy to see GSR&R omitted from the tracklisting. i think it would make a nice single independent from the record...or how about this: the God Save Rock n' Roll EP. something called the God Save Rock n' Roll EP could only be a good thing.

I love the record (or Yadadada's version of it) but have purposely not been listening to it very much. I want to be blown away by the final copy and plan to listen to it a hell of a lot.

I am very giddy about this release. The Features deserve so much success, and I am just keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that Exhibit A will receive all the credit it deserves.

ok, I got the promo off ebay and love it! However, now I'm wondering if the promo versions are the final versions or not? I'm assuming so, but I assume a lot of incorrect things.

(Edited by joeywade at 5:56 pm on Sep. 11, 2004)

I think I might've heard some of the songs in various situations over the last few months, but I'm not sure. I have had no real opportunity to get a copy of the album, but even if someone had offered, I would've said no. I want the first time I hear it to be so special. I'm going to go to Tower and buy it with a big smile, and take the shrinkwrap off, and put it in my car stereo and sit in the Tower parking lot and listen to it while I read the liner notes and admire the album art.

This is an occasion I've been waiting for for YEARS, and I don't want the first time I hear THE FEATURES ALBUM to be from some burned CD-R with "features ruffs" scribbled on it with a Sharpie.

you're such an honorable man. i love you.

I never got a copy...

"Blow It Out" is the key to them 'making it'.

Fact.

I had the opportunity to listen to a rough mix of it several months ago, but I didn't want to. I listened to the first two seconds of a few songs. I'm happy I haven't listened to it yet. I like to wait and be really excited when it finally comes out.

Fact? I'll need to see some citations. I just don't think that song represents the band at all, and even if it did become a hit, it would be a one-hit-wonder deal, because that isn't The Features, in my opinion. And frankly, I don't even think it's a strong enough song to be a hit. Just because it has a chorus people can remember, doesn't make it radio friendly. Sorry to rant, I'm just not a huge fan of that song. It's better than 2X2, though.

truer words were never spoken

Someone did offer. And you did say no. And I was impressed.

i heard it in its entirety about 6 months ago.

its a fucking great record, but, really, did i have any doubts? i expected it to be fucking great.

im upset that the long intro to "harder to ignore" got axed in the mixing process.

i agree.

1) I think the rough mixes are excellent. I'm a little concerned about the pacing of the final product, but I'll reserve judgement until I hear it a few more times.

2) As far as success goes, my motto has always been the same as Mr. Pelham's (expect the worst and hope for the best). I can't imagine them selling many records in the U.S., though, without an extensive tour.

3) I would expect them to be the flavor of the month in the UK any day now.

Tonight will be the first time I will be hearing anything from it. Definately looking forward to it!

Then it's too bad their record isn't coming out there until God knows when. What happened there?

i've had the retail copy for a while and its great.

and as far as i know, Blow it Out is probably what got this band signed. It makes no sense to me either, but its true. I think once the label people fully realized what kind of band they had on their hands they lost a little interest in Blow it Out as a single....but again, i think its safe to say that its a fact that it was a deal maker....

waiting for "you" to chime in here....

Yeah, I think you're right.

I don't think Blow it Out will be the next single. It's certainly not the next video...

Other than the word 'beloved,' ellipses are the most annoying thing found on this board.

I like them . . .

don't fuck with my ellipses...

i'm ok with them as well...i'd say that there are many far more annoying things to be found on this board.

OMG I luve the Features!!!

RU going to teh show 2nite?????


I heard them on The Buzz and I love them immediateley!

Wrong info Carl... that video and single are headed for the UK... Blow It Out is the next American single.

Ok, after comparing the retail version and the version I downloaded from slsk a few weeks back, i can safely say they are the same mixes. My guess is that someone ripped a copy of a promo. Can anyone verify that the promos were the same as the final version?

i actually had the record 10 years ago.....it was one of those "instant cd's" like in spaceballs....its recorded and released before the band even exists!!

actually..i heard a few roughs a long time ago....i don't even remember what they sounded like......i didn't really care...i wanted to wait for a final product....