Die contrary didn't leave any impression on me. Woke up at 6 and listened, opener was cool but the rest floated by for me. Will need to listen again
Die Contrary is far and away the best song on here for me. Other standouts are Live Convinced, Maybe, Chains. Glad to have new ACB even if it's not perfect.
Haven’t had a chance to spin it yet. Edit: Threw in my AirPods while my wife plays LEGO Batman on the Xbox with the kids, and either this one’s gonna be a huge grower, or it’s just missing something crucial that made me love their previous three albums. I’m only at Maybe so far though.
Die Contrary is so incredible that it elevates the rest of the album to the point that I will give it some more time. Effff. That song is so good.
I think I’d like this more if TJ wasn’t on it tbh. And I adore his vocals on SILY but they just aren’t working for me here. It’s like he’s a hype man. It should be Cody’s show, I feel.
It’s crazy cause I had always wanted another album with TJ but I just do not think it works at all with this sound
I like the lyrics Also I am a liar! I passed out at my desk last night so the review will run on Monday! My new medication makes me a lot more tired than usual
I loved CNS and HOHW for years before I ever listened to SILYAYD. So, in a way, TJ wasn’t even part of the band’s identity until I finally heard their “screamo” sound. This whole album feels off to me because I’m spending so much time thinking about how much more I’d like this without TJ. This isn’t really a knock on him, I just agree with the sentiment in here that he doesn’t work with this sound. But again, I’m willing to keep listening to it on my love for the closer alone.
I love TJ's vox on this but this style is more in my wheel house than the prior two records (even tho I love them) it's been 10 years and I think they did a good job of trying to incorporate all 3 prior album's vibes into this one
this is pretty much 100% spot on for me. didn't listen to this band til CNS and don't care for TJ's vocals at all. This did nothing for me. Dunno how much time i'm willing to spend revisiting it either :(
ACB definitely is one of those divisive bands because of how completely different their styles changed so I don't think they would have been able to make an album that every one in the fan base enjoys - especially after 10 years. I am enjoying the discussion today and I do think this will grow on people will more listens - it did for me.
ACB has consistently changed sounds, that’s true. But I instantly loved CNS and I instantly loved HOHW. This album lacks a lot of the interesting guitar work that made those albums so unique. Cody is a fucking incredible guitar player and it doesn’t really show on here. A lot of the musicianship itself is just kinda bland. There are small moments that shine through but on the whole it’s kind of a snooze fest. Seeing everyone cling to Die Contary kinda shows just how much better it is than everything else offered on here. I’m still gonna listen cause I really owe it to this band. But I dunno for how long
IMO and YMMV - I think a lot of the intricate guitar work was replaced by an intense kind of frenetic energy of just ripping through songs. I know that both styles don't have to be mutually exclusive but that's just what I'm grabbing from it. I do think the album starts slow after the opener and it doesn't pick up till Maybe and Chains and then the latter half is very interesting
This brings up another thought I had while listening; this album could use some more space. Some of my favorite moments throughout their entire discography are the slower, atmospheric breaks that allow their songs to breathe. That isn’t really present here. Again, I have no issue with them changing up their sound. I would be a fool not to expect that. And I also don’t want them to make a part 2 to any of their previous albums. It’s just that this one doesn’t really have the qualities that made ACB albums great imo
yeah I think they do a better job of introducing space in the latter part of the album but -- and this could be a reach -- the album is called "scream through the walls" maybe the sound is trying to reflect that - claustrophobic frantic energy - a sense of trying to escape ... something
Prolly trying to escape this album Jk. I’m just bein a dick. That’s entirely possible. I still don’t think it’s for me but maybe time will tell. Also, it’s possible these songs will translate better live. Prince of Planet Earth and Goldmine both did