Definitely don't think this is as good as Alice in Chains' reunion, but I do agree that it's closer to that than a trainwreck reunion. I think this is a decent album, just very unmemorable, which is definitely disappointing considering the source.
No ones been ostracized for liking this but hey I'll just not post my opinions anymore it seems to upset people for no reason
There's but nothing but good conversations about why people like/dislike it, I don't think there's a need to try and be petty about it. I still like this after more listens. Not an amazing album obviously, but something to throw on every now and then
hey i'm fine with people not liking it, just not when it is for silly reasons that come to down to cynicism ("you can tell there isn't passion in there" and similar unprovable things like that) and/or disrespect for the band and their fans ("they shouldn't have released this album, should have stayed dead, etc."). i'm paraphrasing, and this thread is only a microcosm of those criticisms. just seems... snobby to me, in a way I hadn't seen in a long time in this community.
people should listen to whatever they want and if you like this album, cool. I'm not trying to upset anyone who likes it when I say that I don't. like whatever you like. it's cool
THEY SAID THE REUNION WAS A CASH GRAB TO BEGIN WITH SORRY IF SOMETHING THEY SAID MAKES ME CYNICAL AND THATS SILLY TO YOU
And no fucking shit you can't prove there's no passion it's an opinion on a subjective art form, if I can't hear passion then I can't hear it, if you can you can, that doesn't make me silly just because you don't like my opinion. Sorry I'm snobby for not being on board with this, you're totally not snobby for looking down on me for it
I honestly enjoy this album more and more on subsequent listens. I definitely do get the complaint that classic ATDI was defined by their raw energy and chaos, and this album by contrast feels very "controlled"... but honestly I wouldn't expect them to be able to recapture the same level of energy all these years later. I don't think the album's shortcomings compared to their best old work are indicative of disingenuousness... I think they're just older, and they were never going to recapture the same level of energy as they did in their 20s. For some people, that's enough to question why they even made this album in the first place, or why they didn't just call it another Antemasque album... but for me at least, comparing it to the Antemasque album instead of to Relationship of Command makes me appreciate it more for the things it does well. I think there's some very enjoyable tracks throughout, and honestly it's probably the most enjoyable record Omar and Cedric have made in nearly a decade for me. Reviving the At the Drive-In name was always going to invite comparisons they couldn't live up to in 2017, and that's obviously fair game to criticize them for since they did choose to make it an ATDI record as opposed to Antemasque (or whatever). However, I'm just happy to see Omar and Cedric making an album I enjoy this much in 2017 regardless of the name, and I suspect that's why quite a few fans of them are enjoying it overall.
Wow a lot has happened in this topic I'm still jamming this out, feel like it's resting around a 7.5 for me. Fun stuff.
I enjoyed the discussion it brought. I personally don't mind the album, but know how it pales to their previous work. Don't be discouraged.
On a positive note, I saw these guys on Saturday and HOLY fuck what a great show. Just seeing them live for me totally justifies their continued existence as a band, the energy was electric and everyone was having such a great time.
Saw them in Cleveland last night. Biggest takeaway was just how incredible the new songs were live. The whole set is great and the energy is off the charts but the fucking stage blew up when they came out to no wolf like the present. Wanted to snag a signed copy of interalia but I couldn't bring myself to buy it twice, came away with a giant flag and a shirt instead
I know the tradition is to look at albums in their full and there I agree that it's a tiring listen but there's a few songs that will remain on my playlist for long. Governed by Contagions has great energy and very enjoyable right now in the summer. Incurrably Innocent is powerful and Hostage Stamps is great too. But yeah, when I put on the whole album and remember Arcarsenal it leaves a kind of bland feeling.