I think this is a completely different sound from Schmaltz! That album is way more informed by the likes of the Menzingers, certain Against Me records, Gaslight Anthem-y stuff. I don’t hear any of that on this one.
Yeah I don't think this sounds very much like Schmaltz at all, still love it though. It was not as immediate as Schmaltz was, but it still gets weekly plays.
I like the first track, I still like “Losers.” I just don’t think there’s anything on here as good as “Otis / Carl” or as catchy as “Beer & NyQuil” and “Buffalo Buffalo.” It’s certainly not as immediate as Schmaltz and I haven’t taken much from the dozen or so times I’ve listen through it. I’ll still be back for the next album
"Generation Loss" is my favorite song on this and probably my favorite song of the year so far, but I agree that it doesn't quite hit the highs of Schmaltz for me ("Haircut" and "Otis").
Schmaltz is definitely the album that's easier to listen to and definitely more catchy, but I don't think that means this album is any less good, it's just different. I'm glad they didn't just play it safe and make Schmaltz 2
I think the similarities between this and Schmaltz are pretty obvious, but it’s interesting that others aren’t hearing it the same way. For me this is everything that I think works on Schmaltz but heightened.
Haven't gotten to Schmaltz yet as a new fan (soon), but I did listen to the 1st record the other day and thought it was very solid as well.
I think this is definitely less outwardly punk than Schmaltz. It’s pretty much just an alt rock record (but a good one)
Schmaltz is SLS after listening to On the Impossible Past, this is SLS after listening to The Greatest Generation. Note: this is possibly slightly unfair, Spanish Love Songs do sound distinct from both bands. But I definitely hear TWY influences on this album a lot more than on Schmaltz. Especially in Dylan's vocals.
It’s my cross to bear! I am AWFUL at parties. “Did you know that you can sing “Sugar We’re Going Down” over 40% of 2000’s pop punk songs because they were all written in D major? IT’S TRUE.”
Yep, exactly why I like Schmaltz and Giant much better than this. Vocally, Dylan has that warbly Greg delivery from OTIP more on the first two records. Optimism and Beach Front Property sound like TWY songs. The first two records are more inward focused (i.e., depression, failed relationships, loss) vs. this which is more outward focused (system is fucked, we're poor, the world is bad, etc.). Lyrically, that's probably more similar to TWY (excluding the Menz first album).
I know I just said “Generation Loss” is my favorite, but “Dolores” made me cry today so that’s up there too.
For some reason I think Dolores does not really belong on this record, because it's so different to all other songs. But then again it's such a great song.
Losers Pt. 2 is the best song here. I also low key love Dolores. Dylan’s vocals carry it in such a haunting, depressing way and I don’t know ... it’s a slight departure but they make it work.
This album is far from perfect, for a lot of the reasons people have already stated, but I really love it. At this point, I like it as much as Schmaltz even if that one sounds a little more varied. This is just as relatable albeit in a different (and perhaps more universal) way. Despite the tonal homogeneity of BFE, there’s IMMENSE growth between it and Schmaltz. Optimism is possibly the best song they’ve written.
They absolutely killed last night in LA. Give me that headline tour and back to back schmaltz and bfe please