Classic Album #11: Lift Your Skinny Fists... by Godspeed You Black Emperor
 

I hated this one so much at first I almost took it back. Then I fell head over heels on the fourth listen or so. One of those albums that casts a spell.

yes!
great album

20 year minimum. Arbitrary? Sure, but I don't give a shit.
"Classic" is a term that can only be applied after a good amount of time in order for the art to be contextualized as it relates to both typifying a moment in time and having staying power and/or influence.

Too Soon.

Meh, I don't buy it. Sorry.

I would think you of all people would understand that just because something is (in your opinion) really good, that doesn't make it a "classic" automatically.


Classic is a term that requires a frame of reference.

did someone just get served?

I don't know, but I'm either punchy from being up too long or this truly is like the silliest debate I've ever been involved in. Truly. So fine, I'll concede. 20 years, Savage Clone. Whatever you say.

yo,
whathcoodoin' dawg?
you aint neva supposed to give up
hollaaaa

Well, if nothing else it's nice to know that you can repackage prog-rock, pretend it isn't prog-rock, play your sidelong crescendos in the dark and berate your standing-room-only crowd (who obviously love you) for the actions of a president that maybe two people in the room may have voted for, and have your work be deemed an "instant classic."

I don't think it's silly. I mean, it's silly to get super worked-up over it, but I don't think either of us is actually angry for real. There are roots and there are branches. Time will tell.

I think it's a contemporary classic. How's that?

Well, the doc says I have to watch my blood pressure.

Seriously, with things like presidential legacies and matters of historical importance, it is widely acknowledged that a significant amount of time must pass before the effects of a certain administration, movement or event can be truly put into historical perspective. I'm only trying to apply that prism to significant works of art, that's all. Just because something is "Really Good" now does not mean it will age well or have lasting impact, or have any significance in the lives of people who were not of its time. That, to me, is what a "classic" is.

"Contemporary classic" is an OK term, but it sounds like a word a publicist would like to use...

I do think some things attain classic status more quickly than others, depending on their significance and so on.

question

is this old enough to be deemed a classic?

Are you making fun of us?

no.





















...yes.

yanqui xo is my favorite godspeed.

This is indeed a great Godspeed record, but i would say 'f#a#' is their 'classic' album.

Either this or Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada.

Any one of those three mentioned is a magical record, though.

Yeah, that's really great, too.

Leves Vos Skinny Fists Comme Antennas to Heaven is in my top five of all time.

Hello, I'm pissed. I haven't read this thread but think this album is unmitigated tripe.

BYE!!!!!

Well maybe it's not fond of you either.

Yeah, they're getting less "classic" all the time.

And the responses here are getting less classy all the time.

rare, but I find it funny how the CD version of F#A# is actually better than the vinyl

Released 20 years ago today, I’ll be giving this a spin at work tonight!

Storm Static Sleep Antennas To Heaven......

Bonus track! F# is miles better than Lift

Did you dig this thread out from 13 years ago?

I did!

Nothing like a 13 year old thread to celebrate an album turning 20.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this!

It had been a few years and I had forgotten some of the beautiful melodic uplifting moments. A bit busy, but well worth my time.

Definitely a classic NOW isn’t it. :D

Still overrated, live and on record.

At the time I was a big fan of f#infinity and Slow Riot but I found this album a chore to listen to. It sounded formulaic and stultifyingly self-serious. To the point that it put me off the older stuff I had previously enjoyed.