On initial listens it definitely feels like a middle of the road album by their standards - but their standards are pretty damn high, so I'm still enjoying it. It's a more immediate, vibrant album, but yeah agree some of the lyrics feel a bit too basic. It's still fun and the fact there's basically only nine songs means it's pretty rapid fire.
I think The Spark is one of their best from a lyrical and introspective POV. Every album offers something completely different yet also sonically in line with what they've previously released. Even if I don't love this album in the way I love AFFOC, Common Dreads or Is True...god I love this band. (But The Void Stares Back should've been on this record, that song R I P S).
an album more in the vein of Void would've absolutely ripped, it'd stick out like a sore thumb on here though
Enter Shikari just don't miss, loving this thing even if it doesn't have the strongest identity in their discography.
It's a weird album. The hooks of most of the choruses seem much more formulaic now and there's some production and lyric stuff I don't love. Dead Wood, (pls) set me on fire, and Giant Pacific Octopus are standouts for me. Jailbreak may be my least favorite song they've ever done.
I was relistening to some older stuff after I was done with this yesterday, and had the same thought regarding the hooks. They feel a little lacking this time, not as hard hitting as they've been in the past.
it's weird because Jailbreak is like my joint favourite on the record. that explosion after the spoken word bit is pure fucking euphoria.
Funny enough the singles are the weakest for me….The opener the absolutely BIGGEST OPENER they ever had.Massive song
I think Leap Into The Lightning is the best here but I agree overall with this album having some of their weakest hooks in a while. I almost wish the album had a few more moments like Feed Your Soul as well
yeah I don't love most of the hooks on this, lyrically it's also a pretty significant downgrade from the rest of their discography I think. kinda reminds me of the Rat Race/Radiate single, but I hugely prefer those songs to anything here
I’ve always thought the between-album EPs actually sit on a slightly different shelf to the rest of their discography - just in the way they tend to be more formulaic, chorus-driven and repetitive in their construction. I don’t think you could argue any of the EP singles would feel at home on any of the albums. And I think this album sits on that shelf too. They have said it’s basically an album of singles, so I suppose that rings true.
new album i give an 8 out of 10, its short, plus the 3 interludes could've been replaced with 'bull' and 'the void stares back', those collabs were awesome and it would've beefed up the album! not sure why they left them off. but all in all, another solid release! need to see these guys live, it's been awhile.
I only saw them in November, but pound for pound they're the best live band I've ever seen, so hope they tour Aus again and come back to the west coast.