La Dispute - No One Was Driving The Car (September 5th, 2025) • Page 6

There have been so many days where I just sat in my living room asking Alexa to play whichever song from Rooms Of The House popped into my head after the last one I picked. That album and Every Time I Die's Low Teens are basically the only ones I've done that with (I also listen to them in full; I'm not insane).

 

that explains things, i mostly come from places where rooms is widely considered their weakest record so its a bit of a shock

 

I really can’t see thinking rooms is their worst when panorama exists haha. Rooms is a nice middle ground between that one and wildlife to me

 

yeah exactly it doesnt have the identity either of the two have and just kinda exists most of the time musically. panorama leaning further into the chilled out territory and embracing new textures artistically justifies the pivot better. pretty much anyone i know who likes this band thought it was an upgrade upon release, albeit not on the level of the first two, this is the only place ive seen it inverted lol

 

On my 2019 year-end list, I had Panorama as my #20 top record of the year and also named it my biggest disappointment because I like it, but it never really clicked for me in the way the other records did (I also had higher expectations after Wildlife and Rooms Of The House). I think that about sums it up; I've listened to the album a few dozen times, but still really struggle to remember any specific moments when I'm not listening to it. It just sort of washes over me in the way that basically everything else they've put out doesn't.

 

I did not know any sentiment for rooms existed other than that it’s an incredible album

 

Panorama is a fantastic record, I only never liked the artwork hahh, but loved the videos and studio 4 sessions from the era, however, what you're saying is kinda true - I also would find a hard time to remember too many specific moments. It's more of a mood record it seems

I think I only saw positive reactions here - people everywhere (some of the fandom included) were very displeased with the direction for a while, possibly warmed up to it a bit later on - at least that's 100% from my observation. I'm glod nobody's shitting on it now, as it also is my favorite from them. Their anniversary show for ROTH in Berlin last year was one for the books for sure

 

The new stuff is starting to grab hold of me. took longer than usual.

Wish I didn't hate the art so much. Doesnt matter…but I adore the last 3 and have them out on my vinyl display constantly.

 

Wildlife
Panorama
Rooms
Somewhere

NOWDTC shaping up to be their best since Wildlife

 

Rooms
Panorama
Wildlife
Somewhere

I think the upcoming LP may actually top Rooms.

 

Rooms
Wildlife

somewhere

panorama


new one is almost certainly going to be their best

 

Add Reverie Lagoon, IATA's Wolverines AND Teeth Dreams by The Hold Steady - that was one hell of a spring time.

 

I gave it another spin this afternoon, and I think the way the vocals are mixed is a big part of why it washes over me instead of drawing my attention. There are so few moments where it feels like the vocals are treated like the important thing, and it means that you have to work harder as a listener for them to really hit. The "flowers by the street" lyrics are probably as close at it gets to tapping into the more visceral thing they do so well on the other albums, but those memorable parts are so sparing on this one (it's also kind of true on the instrumental side of things, too). It definitely sets a specific mood well, but I think that those emotional, provocative, dynamic pieces are so core to what sets this band apart, and the record feels flat without them being a more frequent/central element.

 

Yip was doing a lot of buried vocals around that time. Defeater’s self titled, great as it is, also has that issue

 

Yeah, my whole friend group, who worshiped LD jumped ship on this album because of the vocal mix. I listened to it a ton when it came out and remember really liking it, but it’s been years since I last listened. Planning a discography run in the next few days.

Ive never listened to Panorama front to back. It came out around the time my wife’s mom passed and it was just a little too heavy feeling to get any play from me then and I haven’t really returned.

 

I was gonna come in hot with a Somewhere > Rooms > Wildlife > Panorama ranking, but I relistened to Somewhere today and realized it was mostly nostalgia talking lol. I do think it's the most fun for whatever that's worth, and has some killer guitar parts, but it gets a little cheesy and doesn't have the same emotional impact of their later work so...

Rooms
Wildlife
Somewhere
Panorama

Shout out to the Touche Amore split, used to play that over and over. Seeing both bands play the songs together at Fest 9 was a special experience.

 

TA split is soooooo good

 

I really like Panorama. In fact, it's my favorite. I don't really get it's lukewarm reception, although I get the complaint of the vocals being low in the mix. The songs are all so good.

Panorama
Rooms
Somewhere
Wildlife

All the albums are so good and I really like them all. Somehow I've never listened to any of their eps or splits

 

I really like Panorama and feel it gets a bad shake

 

Panorama is fine, it just had to follow up to both Rooms and Wildlife, definitely felt lacking compared to what came before.

I've listened to the first EP of No One and that's already shaping up to compete with at least Wildlife for #2. Man with Hands is up there with King Park and Woman (Reading) for me.

 

Anyone who didn't like Panarama at the time but is digging these eps should listen again. I agree that Yip's production is mid and muted here like many of his jobs around this time, but lyrically it's very strong and has some all time moments. The A side in particular is maybe the strongest run of any of their records.

 

Wait until you hear environmental catastrophe film. seriously. dethroned last lost continent for my favorite LD epic

 

ditto the a side, fulton street i -> ii -> rhodonite is an unbelievable run

 

Managed to get tickets for the (now sold out) show in Manchester next February. Really excited as I missed out on their one off in Leeds recently.

 

Glad to see some love for Panorama. The muted reception to that one is crazy to me. Maybe not their best but I think it's their most listenable.