I don't know if this has been discussed and debated here but what is the general consensus of which is better, the first half or the second half? I love it all, but i prefer the first half for sure
Oh man. If I had to pick a half, I'd probably pick the 2nd half because it has Idle Worship and Tell Me How, but I do think it's about as equal throughout as a record can be.
a tie for me yeah. for me it's the middle that didnt do anything for me. i love the first 4 songs and dig the last 3 of the last 4.
Definitely first half for me. "Hard Times" through "Fake Happy" is all real good. ("26" I skip and is forgettable) "Pool" - "Grudges" - Caught in the Middle" is good too but like a tier below and the rest of the second half does meh for me.
Forgiveness and Grudges are the only two that I'm not head over heels for, but they're still solid. This album does keep getting better for me. Helps that I've been driving a tonnnnn this week (15+ hours) and this is a fantastic driving album.
Second half is far stronger. First half has Hard Times, Told You So, and 26 which are all relatively weak for me
I guess maybe maybe the 2nd half. I think I mostly just say that though because I've already listened to Hard Times and Told You So so much that it's just a little less exciting than the new songs, and Forgiveness is probably my least favorite (and I even love that song honestly). Idle Worship is my current favorite because of Hayley's vocal delivery, especially in the verses. But then there's also that bridge in Caught In the Middle. So yea, 2nd half, but not by much.
Caught in the Middle was the only song on first listen that i liked instantly. (other than Hard Times of course). too bad at the no love of Forgvienss. Regardless of it sounding like HAIM, i think it's up there with daydreaming
Tell me how is my jam. So much so I did my own vocal cover of it, changed things around. Listen and tell me its terrible please. Loe I love Hard Times and Told You So and In The Middle. Idle worship doesn't resonate with me thematically. I'm still exploring, what a triumphant album. "Of all the weapons you fight with. Your silence is the most violent." Might be my favorite lyric, ever, right now.
The final three tracks make a ridiculously good run. Rose-Colored Boy, Told You So, and Forgiveness are probably my least favorites.
The bridges to Pool and Caught in the Middle are all I really need from this album. (jk, i love it all but those two are such earworms)
I liked this, but then I read the second sentence and now I'm conflicted, so just let the record show my like is for the first sentence only. (I'll give you Forgiveness, and I can understand Told You So I guess just because of the quality of the rest of the album, but Rose-Colored Boy, no way. That song's a jam).
Something about 26 always reminds me of Taylor Swift's Never Grow Up, though I much prefer the Swift song.
If I'm getting ready for the day and/or feeling festive I skip forgiveness and 26 even though I like them just because I think the album doesn't need a slow break. but I do still routinely skip grudges and caught in the middle because I don't find em catchy and they're probably the weakest lyrically for me. I've been wanting to rank the tracks but they keep jockeying for position.
"I can't call you a stranger, but I can't call you" is one of the most relatable and heartbreaking descriptions of a broken relationship I've ever heard in a song.