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Schweiz (Deutsch)Laundry Room (Studio vs live version)
Laundry Room (Studio vs live version)
Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 04:46
Wow, what a huge difference. I love both but I have to say them doing it live is 1000x better, in my opinion. It is a completely different song. I mean, go watch the Tiny Desk concert version of Laundry Room on NPR.org and then listen to the studio version. The live version is just like, woooooowww.
Like I said, I like both, but I think the Avett's vocals really really shine in the live versions. When they did it at Pittsburgh it was like, holy s***. I kinda wish the studio version had some ridiculous drawn out harmonies like when they do it live. Either way, bravo guys.
Kick drum is fun too! 
Replies for this Board Topic
The studio version is almost exactly what I expected and hoped it would sound like. My only gripe is the repeat of the "teach me how to use the love that people say you make" line during the last verse. Simply because the last verse of
"Last night I dreamt the whole night long
I woke with a head full of songs
I spent the whole day, I wrote 'em down, but it's a shame
Tonight I'll burn the lyrics, 'cause every chorus was your name"
is one of my favorite parts of the song, and I feel like the layering of the "teach me how to use..." vocals in between the lines distracts and takes away from the power of that verse. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Blasto, I agree. That is the only thing I don't enjoy. When people first listen to it, they may not even know what is being said there, and that is one of the most powerful lines of the song.Which is basically exactly what you just said..haha..but I have said the exact thing to my son.
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we collect and put away lots of fragments, because we keep recording devices and notebooks with us at all times and when the song calls, when the song comes, we are prepared to accept it
I concur with stirred and blasto. I the live versions, those lines give me goosebumps, not so much now. And I was a tad disappointed in the last 30 seconds. In my opinion, it needed more kick drum and hgh hat crashing. Still one of my favorite songs though. I'm hoping they'll do a "Live Vol. III" next, and include LR.
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***ScreamiN' my luNgs out with NothiN' to say***
Don't get me wrong, aside from that, I love everything! I think I just might prefer the hoedown at the end to the live version.
You can actually hear what they're trying to do with it which is a problem in a lot of the live versions I've seen on YouTube and at shows.
You feel the energy, but you can't hear the instruments do their thing, but on the studio version it's all crystal clear and a lot more layered.
The other day I caught myself driving down the road listening to this, wildly beating my steering wheel in time with the kick drum.
I unfortunately haven't gotten to hear it live yet, but its one of my favorites that I've heard off "I and Love and You".
I like both versions, but the live version is a winner in my mind. My vote is for Live Vol III... a two-disc album from the 5/23/09 Crystal Ballroom show!
I already have that album...but it's 4-discs long!
(and vids = mega file space)
OneHitWonderinm.... check out YouTube and just search Avett Laundry. The one from NPR is AWESOME!
Live is it for me.
There are some good versions that I like to listen to on YouTube.
Nothing beats being there though.
I myself was a HUGE fan of the youtube video that alistair mentioned above, the first result if you search it. I watched it often so I got too used to the live version. When I heard the studio version it felt toned-down a bit, but it is a really great version as well.
Tim, you hit it on the head when you say most Avett songs are different live vs. album
live vs studio will forever be a debate.
i love them both.
especially this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYerGCsv5kw
Like all (in my opinion) Avett songs, it HAS to be the live version. Never seen a band that can come close to matching their energy and commitment on stage. Laundry Room is no exception. The studio version might be my favorite song they have ever recorded, but it can't hold a candle to the live version. Just shows how they are live!
Can't wait to see them in Augusta, although it's going to be hard to live up to the Charlotte show...
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Carolina one day I'll, someday I'll come home.
I was floored when I heard the last verse interrupted by the "teach me how to use part". That is by far the most moving part in the song for me and it is sort of ruined now. Even when I hear the live version now I expect to hear the "teach me how to use" part.
I sincereley hope that they change this on the album before it is released. THERE IS STILL TIME MAN!!
I was thinking about making a thread about this exact subect on the main page and direct it to Rick Rubin himself. lol
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For all I know, there's more I dont
the studio version. the instrumental at the end is great
live live live.
theres so much more emotion in the live version.
the studio version doesnt really go anywhere.
theres no peak to the song. its just there.
i love it, but the live version definitely wins this one.
tommyfromnc, there is still time.
im crossing my fingers.
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It's not where I am, it's who I'm with.
They're sort of equals in my mind. Live is probably more powerful, but the studio version is more nuanced, layered, and well paced, steadily building up to the instrumentation at the end. The only issue with these studio recordings is how the harmonies are sometimes "quieted down" as if taking the part of a back up singer... Avett Brothers harmonies in the past have taken on an equal level of importance with the melody... Sometimes being like a second melody. Now it's as if they took, say, "Norwegian Wood" by the Beatles, and turned down Paul McCartney's harmony part... It would take away from what the Beatles were all about, and it takes away from what the Avett Brothers are all about now. Still, these studio recordings are more emotional and honest and interesting than just about any other new music I've heard this year.
"The only issue with these studio recordings is how the harmonies are sometimes "quieted down" as if taking the part of a back up singer... Avett Brothers harmonies in the past have taken on an equal level of importance with the melody... Sometimes being like a second melody. "
Well put, I agree!!
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Wish me luck, I know you think I'll need it.
For all the hardest roads we have to walk alone.
I agree with everyone who prefers the live version. This goes for all of TAB's songs, really -- they have to be experienced live.
My biggest gripe with the studio version is the fiddle at the end. Since when do they play with a fiddle?! I think the guitar and/or cello could carry that portion much better than a fiddle just thrown in there.
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This is no longer
Only my travel, but yours,
To both you and me.
Crosswordcoco,
They have used a fiddle/violin in other songs. Scott's wife Sarah played on a few tunes if I'm not mistaken. Or was it Bonnie? I forget. Either way, it's definitely not a first, and suits that portion of the song just fie, in my opinion.
Blasto--it was Sarah, Scott's wife.
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Team Avett #36
lildeadhead: that pen she uses to keep her setlists? it's a human-finger bone. dipped in the blood of the ones who yell out during "murder in the city". poetic, no?
i don't like the studio version. not after hearing the live version that is. don't get me wrong, i love the avett brothers. i have all the albums and know all the lyrics. a few of the new songs just sound like they are not allowing the passion to flow like it always has. i'm sure the live versions will never lose the passion, but i am afraid that the "expert" producers have drained the passion out of some of the songs on the new album.
Personally, I like the fiddle! It was a little unexpected surprise after all the live versions I've heard. I was also disappointed with the flatness of the "I just saw a shooting star" line. I love it when Scott points up towards the sky during that line and gets all excited. There's at least one good YouTube video of that.
Live will always trump studio for me, but there are plenty of good qualities in the polished versions of songs. I think it's easier to hear the perfect harmony of the brothers, for one. The discussions about this latest album are so similar to the discussions on the Old Crow Medicine Show board when Tennessee Pusher came out. Bands evolve, and in both cases, members grew up and looked for a more mature sound. If you're wanting the same sound as the previous albums you're out of luck, but if you're open to the change you're rewarded. I have to admit that in some cases I want to hold onto the old! Just my impression....sorry for the thread drift!
Seeing Laundry Room live was magical. Scott at the front of the stage chanting "I am a breathing time machine, I'll take you all for a ride" was so powerful. It's such a moving, incredible experience to see them make their hearts transparent in person. After the release of the EP I didn't think the studio version had quite the same emotion behind it, but after listening to it for months I've come to realize that while it has a slightly different mood, it's just as beautiful in its own right. I'm sure I'll hold onto this opinion until I see them perform it again, then I'll be back behind the live version.
I like both, I like the banjo in the live version but i love the fiddle in the studio cut
live for me too - saw them perform it in Little Rock - loved when it got all quiet - just vocals and the synchronized "pulsing" of the bass and cello. absolutely beautiful.
It's a lie!!
Love the live shows. Other than the Stones in DC in '92, i rate my 1st avett show as the 2nd best show I've seen. Love the live version, but what i'd like to see is either Joe or Bob would trade in one of their 4 strings for a fiddle. The hoedown @ the end of the studio version rules b/c it is in such stark contrast to the song leading up to that. Sure i love to see the boys stompin their drumkits and playing simultaneously, but the fiddle rules. Studio Best.
I have to agree with the original post. The live recordings as opposed to the studio recording are SO much better. Not saying the studio version is bad, but the live version is in my top 3 favorite songs of all time. I guess it's actually a compliment because 99% of the time they can't be in the studio. Two thumbs up on the new album.