It went up at first and then fell off in July of 2020. Losing my job and hating my current one has also fucked with my motivation. I’m slowly building up for the Rock n Roll half in October. Although I’m not 100% sure I’ll do it. If I do I’ll be running portions of it masked up. Coming Home led to the creation of ISHC and Jordan’s best vocal performance on FTSTYS 2 Plus all those bonus songs are great.
Should have released all the bonus tracks as their own EP. Even the worst one is better than almost anything on FXE. Puzzle and Ferris Wheel, in particular, are super fun songs I would love to hear live.
I’m sorry about your job. Running is my vice and I credit it to pulling me out of a crippling depression. Even then, 2020 killed it for me and I’ve just been getting back into it. Also, if it was between running a race masked or waiting, I’d have to wait lol. Maybe we need a running thread
PUZZLES FINALLY ON SPOTIFY. Edit: This is a new re-recorded version it sounds like. I don't love this EP but it's better than all of FXE combined. That's not hyperbole.
This is pretty solid. Honestly, this EP shows how terribly the lyrics ruined the actual album. The lyrics on this EP aren't exactly incredible, but all they really have to be is passable in order to enjoy these songs for what they are.
EP is good and the best thing they’ve done in over a decade. I feel like those one off songs from Kill It Live would’ve fit right in with this EP. I still like Makes Me Sick a bunch, but I’m instantly more into this EP. Also, Will Pugh needs to become this band’s Jerry Finn.
As one of the few that liked the last album despite the bad lyrics, I'm still pretty happy with this EP. I don't think there's a bad song here, really. But I agree that Ferris Wheel and Puzzles are the highlights. The Last Red-Eye clearly had the most effort put into it lyrically, and also I think The New Abnormal is one of the better songs I've heard directly addressing the pandemic. Just coming from a genuine place and having a few specific details like ringing up his mom to ask for ideas to occupy himself add a personal touch that we don't see from them very often. I'm interested in seeing where they go from here. We know the direction change after Coming Home happened because of fan backlash from the new sound, and I've seen almost universal criticism about the last album about playing it too safe and bad lyrics. Maybe that will inspire them to change it up a little next time. I do agree that Makes Me Sick is a pretty great record, and did a good job of changing things up a bit while still sounding distinctly like NFG, and going more towards that direction would be good I think. That one didn't seem very divisive from what I've seen, anyway.
Yeah this EP is way better than the base album. Replace some of the original songs with these and get rid of a few altogether and you probably have a fairly solid record. Wish there was a way to get it on vinyl without the deluxe version of the whole album.
Ferris Wheels & Puzzles go so hard :) Also shout out to these guys copying the bridge of Kiss from a Rose by Seal during the bridge of Puzzles haha
Alright I'm doing it: Backseat Greatest of All Time Ferris Wheel Double Chin For the Win Stay Awhile Puzzles The Devil Wears Many Faces Himalaya The Way You Deserve Trophy The Last Red Eye The New Abnormal Taking this 21 track monstrosity and making a solid 12 track album.
Re-listening to the original album and the music is solid and NFG interesting, production wise I don't find anything distracting, but the lyrics often have a line or two or three that it's just huh? Really? You can get away with it from time to time, but not a majority of the songs.
For me it’s not just the lyrics. It’s how Jordan is singing the lines. It’s probably his worst vocal performance because of decisions of getting too wordy in a single line.
I didn’t know the EP was out, I’m gonna have to listen today. As for the album, I liked it musically but there were some lyrics that were so bad I couldn’t get by them.
I've been a fan since NGCS. Perks of being 35+ years old. My favorite album rotates between Catalyst and Resurrection. -- Ross Senack
I can easily see Catalyst being someone’s favorite. If it hit you at the right time in your youth and you weren’t aware of the other records, it’s a barnburner. First half of the tracks all punch you straight in the face with aggression and melody, and it closes well too.
I absolutely loved Catalyst that first summer it came out. I definitely burned myself out on it though. That was like the first year I started learning songs on guitar by ear, so I spent like a whole summer tabbing out that whole record. I don't know that I've listened to it all the way through since lol.
I think at this point my favorite it Makes Me Sick? I didn't grow up loving the self-titled and Sticks and Stones.