Well, it's being released in Britain on September 3rd apparently.

Matt said on BBC 6music that it's a collection of their favourite songs from the last 2/3 years...

That's nifty! Just two days after my birthday!! If it's released much, much later in the US, I can see myself sending a certian someone (you) a check in exchange for a CD...and without those crazy import prices!

Well in exchange you can send me The Beginning EP that they sell over there. They were charging $14 for it at the gig tonight!!!

does anyone have a tracklisting?

Fourteen dollars is only seven pounds, though!

yes

You evil jerk

well, being the sneaky bastard that i am, i managed to get 10 of the unmixed, not quite finished tracks about six months ago or so...the tracklisting on it is: the way it's meant to be, there's a million ways to sing the blues, skirts, long way down, bring on the night, buffalohead, leave it all behind, blow it out, exhibit A, and there was one more and now i've forgotten which...oh well, i was wondering if those were all definitely going to be included and if there were more than ten going on...i do hope 'god save rock n' roll' isn't left off, as it's one of my favorites...

I wonder how long before this post dissapears.... God, I hope darkroom is on it.

It won't disappear, but I can say that at least three of those titles won't be on the final CD. And that mix you heard six months ago is not reflectively of what the final product will be. And let me say that's a good thing.

Darkroom would be great, but I doubt it'll make the cut. Was it even recorded recently?

sorry, i really didn't know that i broke the rules there...anyway, i'm sure the finished product will be miles better than the stuff i've got...it almost sounds live, with few overdubs, if any--although i did like that old vocal for 'the way it's meant to be' much better than the finished one...don't worry, i haven't shared it with anyone else. why are we so secretive about the tracklisting anyway?

you kind of ruined christmas.
metaphorically.

Fuck the rules. I don't mean that in a mean-spirited way...it's just that I don't see what the big deal is about keeping the tracklisting a secret. I can totally understand keeping the recordings themselves closely guarded. I mean...that's THE essence, you know? But what difference does it make if people know what songs will be on the album? I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to that question. It's not that I in particular am dying to know the tracklisting of the new album (I can pretty well guess)...I just don't understand what seems to be the over-riding philosophy of the Features' handlers.

Edit: And if you don't know for sure which songs will be on it, why not say, "We recorded these 18 songs - Action, Blow It Out, The Design, etc. We will be choosing 10-12 of them for the album."? Why not do that?

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 1:01 am on May. 29, 2004)

I can't speak for the Features "handlers" but I just treat anything I hear from Rory, in a friend, or business type dealing, as confidential, I don't see it as my place to divulge things. I'm not trying to be elitist but, I figure if they wanted things to get out, they'd post them.

You're right JC it's not gonna kill anyone to know the tracklisting, but I don't even know if it's set in stone yet.... the songs are, but the order I'm not sure about. I just don't feel its my place to say anything, plus I only know what is pertinent to my need to know stuff. So I could say something that is completely changed now...

I know this probably wasn't directed right at me, but I just wanted to get that out...

Right. It totally wasn't directed at you. You're doing the right thing by treating that info as confidential. I guess the finger I'm pointing is at the management. I know both of them and love them dearly. I just don't understand why so many of the exciting developments of the last year have gone completely unannounced on this website. I mean, has it ever even been announced here that the Features signed with Universal?!! That's giant news! How much information about tours, singles, tracklistings, music videos, etc have we had to find out about through other websites, or articles in the Nashville Scene, or just through people posting unauthorized "gossip" on this message board? It just seems to me that this site is a great communication tool, and the powers that be would want to take better advantage of it.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 1:34 am on May. 29, 2004)

I don't want to sound like I'm just bitching. This a really exciting time for this band, and for fans of this band. We've been waiting years for the things that have been happening recently, and I feel really fortunate to be a part. And we should all be really grateful to Upper Managment for the hard work (not to mention the money) that they've put into making things happen for the Features. I am very grateful.

I just don't want the clouds of secrecy to be any darker or more ominous than they need to be. It's such a beautiful day outside.

JC, you're my new hero of the month. I've been wanting to say the SAME exact thing for the past year! I've never posted it b/c I knew I didn't have enough "street cred" on here to post something that controversial and get away with it. But I've seriously felt the same way about 100% of what you've said. Especially the comment you added in your edit. . .

Thanks!

well, i'd like to thank you all for nothing. i'd like to thank you all for nothing at all. i 'd like to thank you all for nothing...nothing...nothing....nothing.......

This sounds more like the tracks that were recorded during the first Krampf sessions. If I recall, they recorded some songs with him to use as a demo to woo a label. I think this session is the source of the "unreleased" songs on this site's music player. Later, they worked with Krampf again to record the versions that will actually appear on the album. I'm sure some of the same songs were recorded, but some of the others will be dropped (like "Bring on the Night").

I learned two things from brianeno2. First, message boards are only interesting when there's controversy... not petty bickering about insulting avatars but good, heated discussions. Secondly, "street cred" on a message board comes only from making wise yet controversial observations.

I hate to be an opportunist and chime in just now, but I really do agree with jammiecarrol. It doesn't make any sense at all that their signing, the single releases, etc. haven't been announced. It's really weird, now that JC's pointed it out...

...and when they played in London a couple of days ago, they didn't even mention on stage that they had a single released that week, and that it was in shops.

If it wasn't for the message board, I wouldn't have known it had been released.

Madness!

Amen, brother.

The mix I heard includes TWIMTB, MWTSTB, Skirts, Idea, Situation, H2I, Blow, S/S, LIAB, Demons, Circus... and one more I can't remember.

Exhibit A?

i know that 'the way it's meant to be' is the same recording as the released single--the vocal is different and it's unmixed, but as far as the drum sound, guitar tones and everything, it's unmistakebly from the same session...i don't know who recorded it or produced it, but all of the songs on there sound as if they were done at the same session as well--very similar feel throughout, and all at roughly the same level of completion.

I still think until the band or management gives the ok, the fortunate people that have the album, or what they think is the album, shouldn't discuss it. I'm not saying the band or management shouldn't give the ok, but it should still be their decision since it is their art and they should have control over it in every way. I got my copy from Creative Artists Agency who is (was?) working with The Features, and in the same way Peacefrog assumed everything was confidential, anything I got out of CAA (or being in a band with Rollum), I also assumed was confidential. Again, I'm not saying that information necessarily is worth keeping secret, but it isn't my decision to make.

And I am quite secure in my "street cred" regardless of how many controversial observations I may or may not make.

(Edited by Keith at 1:43 pm on May. 29, 2004)

I think everyone has made some good points.I think if you've got some music from the features regardless of how it was obtained.ENJOY IT,don't sell it,and damn shure don't lose it.Just be thankfull you have it,and play it with a friend on a road trip.
And to hell with credability on what,when,and how as far as their music goes.This band has been lied to directly many times in the past.So I really don't think they give a !@#$ about any rumors that get kicked around here on the board.This is our little haven!
The way I give thanks is...Thank you universal for the money,and the chance.THANK YOU roary,and the fans for spreading the word,and not giving up.Thank you the features for the kick ass music that drives us crazy!!
One last thing.I know that some of the old stuff will never be released.Thats why I said dont lose it.I would hold it closer to my side than anything Universal will release.That stuff will be in mass quanity,what some of us have may be the only copy there will ever be!!

hmmm, I thought the last two singles have sounded like as-live recordings.... A million ways to sing the blues particularly. Personally, I hope they don't keep that sound for the album.

There's nowt wrong with discussing the tracklisting, that's the point of this thread! And anyway, I find that speculation is usually wrong, whether you're in the know or not.

Thanks JC, I wanted to flag up the same thing myself. The Features are in Britain promoting a new single, but NOTHING has been mentioned about the single's release or the attached promotion. I've been posting about everything on 6music, but I dread to think how much more I've missed.

You don't have to call him names just because he listens to Phish

carl's list is legit. a dj friend of mine got an advanced copy of the album about a month ago. he's yet to let me hear it. bastard.

well since its taking forever for them to get it out, maybe they can add mosis ptosis to it . . .

Lauren, the way you point out spelling/grammar errors is too cute.

I went to a record fair on Monday and by total chance I found a promo copy in amongst a stack of CDs, which I assume allows me to post the tracklisting... Anyone know if a) I am likely to have the final mix, and B) the following is the final UK tracklist?

1. Exhibit A
2. The Way It's Meant To Be
3. Me & The Skirts
4. Blow It Out
5. There Is A Million Ways To Sing The Blues
6. Leave It All Behind
7. Exorcising Demons
8. The Idea Of Growing Old
9. Some Way Some How
10. Situation Gone Bad
11. Harder To Ignore
12. Circus

Needless to say, it's ace. Also needless to say, I will be buying the full album on its eventual release!

(Edited by ewmy at 10:36 am on Jun. 4, 2004)

hmm, does anyone "in the know" have a comment about this?

it's legit. i dunno anything about UK tracklistings. i doubt they would be any different, unless the features have any beef with new york city cops.

Any guesses on how many e-mails this persion will get in reference to getting a copy of this?

37.

And so there it is. Where do we get the official tracklisting for the new album? From someone who found a promo copy at a record fair in the UK and decided to share with us. Why am I not surprised that it would happen like this?

I think that lineup looks pretty awesome. I can't wait to hear it! Thanks, ewmy!

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 4:53 pm on Jun. 4, 2004)

Well, I'm not all that surprised either, but at least we did get to hear about The Features being on the Abercrombie and Fitch website before anyone else brought it up.

if you'd like to hear a minute of "exhibit a" the song, the germans have it

Those are the tracks I heard last summer, to support its legitimacy. I figrued it would've changed many times over since then. I think it's a superb selection. I also heard GSRNR.

Wow, I really hate to be one to criticize (well, at least the first), but I didn't like that at ALL. And what's worse is that "Exhibit A" is one of my favorites. I don't guess I should panic yet. . . It could be an early copy, and I have liked everything else they've put out on a cd so far. But God that was awful. Matt didn't sound like Matt, and the "screaming part?" was weird ... was that even Matt singing the "yell" ?

According to page 3556 of the book, "one fan will not like the sound of the album's opening track. That person shall be Joeywade. The sound will be specially crafted to insure this." So, as you can see, I'm correct once again. If anybody hates the sound of the album's opening track, you can blame it on Joeywade. Thank you.

May I also add it is disappointing that our field intelligence agents did not pick up on this promo leak and that this person would post the setlist of the full length. We know you, JC, expect us to post this important information before someone randomly gets ahold of a setlist somewhere, in America. We failed you, and for that, we are sorry.

Hey Daigle, it's okay. But it's not called a setlist.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 1:08 am on Jun. 6, 2004)

Translation of the text, courtesy of babelfish:

THE FEATURES from savings TA/THRESHING floor lake are these days no more bloody debuetanten, but already published a first EP with the title "The Beginning" on the UK label Fierce Panda. There already COLDPLAY, KEANE rausgebracht and SUPERGRASS plates. After "Beginning" for a long time, frenetisch abgefeierte routes by the USA and finally major Label record Deal followed.

Who stands on the hysterisch energetic sound of the HIVES, its bright joy in the FEATURES to have, who likes besides High Energy skirt n roll paired also a few more thoughtful, melodioesen nuances, is perfectly served by the FEATURES. The features are: Matt Pelham (voc, guit) Roger Dabbs (bs) Parrish Yaw (key) Rollum Haas (dr)

It's on ebay now.

(btw this isn't my copy)

Ha ha ha ha. Of course it's on eBay. Does anyone want to guess how much this will end up going for? I'll say $30.

I'll bet Daigle loves this.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 10:16 am on Jun. 8, 2004)

i love me some skirt 'n' roll.

Is this the same person that was selling the single awhile back?

If you "Buy It Now" that equals $40. Yikes.

I'm really thinking about it, but I've almost come to the conclusion I'd rather be surprised. Then again, I don't want to wait till septemeber (or whenever it comes out here.) I also remember last time the singles were sold on ebay and the first 2 went really high and then they dropped to about $2 plus s/h.

I like how you can see in the picture where it says: "promo copy--not for resale." This disc will probably go for at least $30, all of which will go to this guy, who is probably an intern at a radio station, stole this CD, and hasn't even heard the Features before. what a jerk.

...then again, it is quite tempting.

I'd do it too, if it were a band that I didn't care about.

(Edited by richarddawson at 7:20 pm on Jun. 8, 2004)

I would too, and I wouldn't bid on it either if it would keep me from buying the actual cd once its released.

Right. I think it would be worse if it was an actual fan. That said, I think my ethics are running right around $40 right now...

I've been thinking about this all day, and you know what? I might just bid on it. I know that this record being released seems like a pretty sure thing right now, But...and I hate to even speak this out loud...what if it doesn't get released? What if "something" happens? The record industry is so unpredictable these days. If this full-length never actually sees the light of day, this promo copy could be all I ever get to hear.

What can I say? I'm a Cubs fan.

JC, I think you have enough friends in The Features' camp that you could legitamately get your hands on the album if you really wanted to.

i'm just as remorseful to find myself saying that you have a valid point there...it's a topsy-turvy old world, so 'something' could easily happen. i hope it doesn't, but i, too, am a cubs fan.

If it never gets released... I want a burnt copy dammit.

I can't imagine Harder to Ignore and Demons not making the final cut.

If the promo copy IS the final copy, looks like "Look Out Below" didn't make the final cut. That really sucks.

You could be surprised 3 months early.

I'm an impatient person, and if I had the money, I'd get it right now. The only reasons I'm waiting are: I don't want to buy it again when it comes out, and I'm looking forward to the no-doubt ingenious cover art.

I agree. That has become on of my favorite songs. And as much as I like Idea of Growing Old, I think look out below is just as good if not better.

The band has so many good songs that they could easily put out another quality cd within a year if they wanted . . .

I know, and I think in a way that it would be safest in your hands. I mean, it sucks to let the jerk who's selling it get money, but you could best ensure that it doesn't become pirated all over the place WHEN the Universal release comes out. And you would have something in the vault. And, out of anyone, you deserve to hear it first.

that is most unsweet.

I would like to take a moment to point out how close many of you/us were over a year ago in this thread.

I would also like to point out the warning I put on the first page.

I was 10/12. What do I win?

Then again, I'd say the chances of this song showing up on a second album are pretty good, as long as the band doesn't feel the song is too dated by then. It could end up like "Moonlight" "and disappear from radar by the time the 2nd album rolls out.

Oh, this has probably been shown before but I'm not going to search for it. Says that "Exhibit A" would be out this summer....hmmmm.....

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/w...aturesx27x04x04

Ok, it came in today. And it's very good. I retract my previous statments about any other songs I wish had been included. There are enough good ones on here as it is. Situation Gone Bad sounds incredible! as does Circus and Harder to Ignore. However I'm still not sold on "Exhibit A".


Anyway, just thought I'd share here, since NO ONE at my house can seem to understand my excitement level.


Ahh yes, the mysterious lyrics to Circus are still hard to hear, but I'm 80% sure he's saying, "I've got no feelings, but I've got my head up"

I thought this was settled a while ago:

"I've got no feelings;
I've got my crack pipe smoked!"

hand job...

I'm pretty sure it's "head up" as well, but there's still a word after it that I'm fairly certain (from watching him sing it) begins with an L.

It's now official that this song kicks all kinds of ass.

OOooooo maybe there will be lyrics with the album. That would be neat-o.

i'm glad we can hears matt's voice in the track, but it kind of destroys the aura. i always thought "i've got my handjob" was the coolest lyric.

I am telling you...it's "I've got my handjob bleh!!!!!!!"

I've been saying that that all along... they just won't listen... in fact I'd venture to say that the bleeeh is actually "bitch"

I always hear it as "I've got my hand caught...red," but I really have no idea.

I guess I should also disclose that I swear in "Stairway to Heaven" they say "...and the Jew will bother you alot" instead of the "...and the tune will carry you along."

So like Keith said, what do I know?

(Edited by Peace Frog at 4:06 pm on Jun. 23, 2004)

My favorite part of Features shows has become watching the fans pretend to sing along to that part.

Really? I just like staring at you... did I say that out loud again?

I listened many times...and it sounded just like "I got my handjob, yeah" every single time.

"I got my head chopped...off!"

WHY WON'T MANAGEMENT TELL US WHAT THESE LYRICS ARE???!!!

Better yet, why won't Pelham? I think he enjoys us not knowing.

i always sing "head to live"

it was my mission for my first few features shows to watch matts mouth and figure it out. i never could, though. then i gave up.

It's probably gibberish anyway. Like when they debut songs and don't have the lyrics done, they just perform it anyway with nonsense lyrics. Maybe Pelham just never got around to writing anything.

Not to make me seem special or anything, but I have asked Matt about what he is saying right there and he just replied that he doesn't even know. Just like the second verse of "Temporary Blues"...

Well then I guess the mystery's solved. Now that I think about it, it would be a pretty crazy coincidence that in all the hundreds of times we've heard it, the lyrics have never been distinguishable. Leave it to a bad-ass like Matt to make the most emotionally charged set of words in the song nonsense. Brilliant.

BECAUSE POSTING MILLIONS OF CONFICTING, HUMOROUS, SOMETIMES VIOLENT POSTS ON THE SUBJECT IS SO MUCH FUN!

officially the greatest interpretation of lyrics I've ever heard. the "bitch" adds the extra cool factor that "handjob" needs to transcend this song into the realm of "beyond kick ass."