This was started elsewhere, but I thought a poll would be the best.

I present to you Exhibit A:



Exhibit A:


and Exhibit A:


I went with the UK version.

My favourite is the UK version.

I like the original because it's pleasant, and it epitomizes the theme of the EP: Relationships, love, and babies.

so where do luke and carter fit into all of that?

they're friends, so i guess technically those are relationships... or maybe i'm full of shit. the cover seems to convey a change, i.e. the babies, and possibly a departure from something else. a milestone: the beginning.

the UK release (but i do enjoy all of them)

i had to think about this way too long, but i chose the original. at no risk of sounding cheesy (because i definitely will), i think i love it more because it's just so heartwarming. including your wife, friends, and/or loved ones on your ep cover...what could be sweeter? oh yeah, BABIES! babies could be sweeter! the babies definitely sealed the deal on my vote.

The original is my favorite.

Hands down the orginal for me.

The original is terrible because it gives new listeners the impression that there are MANY members of the band, kind of like Blood, Sweat and Tears or Three Dog Night. I like Bottchers photography but I would never have bought the Beginning with that cover if I had been a new listener. I do like the Fierce Panda and Universal covers a lot, however.

you are more right than anyone possibly could be. I bought it in early 2002 as a new listener and that is exactly what I thought.

if the new listener is retarded.

i think the uk cover is cliche, sorry.

oops...

sorry would-be sina, but there's nothing on that cover that indicates roadie or brian carter as anything less than a member of the band.

you're right about the uk cover though. I voted for the newest us cover.

so did you think the babies were in teh band too? and did you not mention katie or the other girls because girls "cant" play instruments [dont answer that, keith]?? huh? did ya? did ya now?

love,
sina

i mean
fuck you,
sina

the babies arent in teh band??

I didn't mention any of the girls, because I already knew from reading a review that only males were in the band. I believe that it read "these 'boys' from sparta..." or something to that effect. though, I didn't know how many guys were in the band, hence the luke and b.c. references.

you still aren't sina.

(Edited by richarddawson at 2:54 pm on Apr. 30, 2004)

youre in a bad mood. chill out and then try to convince me you arent sexist

theres no convincing to be done, I hate girls.

I chose the Universal release because I like the overall packaging of it better than the others (I like the bow/package look of the back and the actual cd), but then I realized that this is just for the "cover"...so I probably should have gone with the original release if I were to base it solely on the cover, although I really like the UK release.

RD is as much a sexist as I am a racist.

If a new listener were to figure out the "girlfriends" thing they might assume the band is a 5 piece with Luke being Brian Carter's "significant other."

Sorry, but I'm answering it. Butterfly Boucher is one of the best all-around musicians (at least as far as my taste is concerned) that I've ever seen. So, yes, girls are plenty capable of playing instruments. Are there anywhere close to as many female musicians that I consider "good" as male? No.

And my take on this argument: If nothing else, Luke (back when he looked badass) looked like he could be in the band. Brian could get away with it too. Considering the horns and other instruments heard exclusively on the EP, I don't think it is that far fetched to think that it is possible that more than 4 people were in the band. Would that affect my judgment of the music? No. So what I guess I'm trying to say is, I don't think people who assumed more than 4 people in the band are retarded, but on the other hand, I don't think that should affect people's opinion of the product. And really, Dude -- "Retarded" is not the preferred nomenclature. "Mentally challenged," please.

(Edited by Keith at 4:20 am on May. 1, 2004)

were not speaking, remember?

Whoooa.....I had no idea there were that many Beach Boys.

The babies are the ones hitting those high notes.

i think in one of thier songs, they actually do have what sounds like children in the background. i belive its in see you through.
"try try try but things will never be the same"

(Edited by rachel at 12:37 pm on May. 2, 2004)

Would somebody please do me a favor and tell this chick that this is a public forum and not private messaging (although I suppose that's arguable most of the time)?

And after that, tell her to get over herself.

oh! yay! im over myself! ive decided that people can insult me [and others] and i no longer care for an apology! of course! we can be friends again, you dick! wow, im so happy to have you back!

where is jamiecarroll?

In Vegas, baby. But I'm back now. Does anyone else ever suffer a day or two of mild depression when they have to return from vacation to "real life"?

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 11:25 pm on May. 2, 2004)

- all I have to say is that you called me "retarded" and never apologized. of course, I don't care; because it wasn't a big deal.

- this whole thing with carl has been blown way out of proportion. carl's not a dick. from what I can tell, he just reciprocated what you started (wart dick...remember?). but, I guess that I don't know the whole story. it just appears like you're trying to play a mean game of "no, you're the asshole!", over what I think is an extremely lame issue.

I'll say it, I'm sorry if anything that I did offended you, "stopforme". I like you.

(Edited by richarddawson at 3:20 am on May. 3, 2004)

I don't typically. I do when I go back from a break from school.

you should stay out of it, seriously. you dont know the whole story.
and i did apologize, on aim, right after i did it on accident.

(Edited by stopforme at 10:31 am on May. 3, 2004)

fair enough