Haulix is enough of a janky and fucked platform (with no mobile support, mind you) I was only able to listen in fits and starts over the weekend but I think it shakes up their sound enough after BFE to warrant the album existing in the first place - I had no idea where they could go after that album but the shift from Schmaltz to this has been executed fantastically. Lifers is one of their best songs off rip. More expanded thoughts coming tonight.
So I got the chance to listen through earlier, uninterrupted, and these songs just sound fucking massive. Dylan said it's the closest the band's come to sounding like what he envisioned in his head. The lyrical slant is more personal this time and not really a response to BFE, but there are several moments, both lyrical and musical, particularly on Middle of Nine and Mutable, that really surprised me, never mind the closer which is a Whole Thing in itself. I'm very impressed - this is a great example of how to build on past successes without compromising on what brought you those in the first place. The electronic elements are really well executed too. This place is gonna love it.
(crawls out from under a rock, said in the quietest, lamest, most ashamed voice you've ever heard) I *JUST* listened to Schmaltz for the first time. This band could really go places!
Cannot remember where I first heard this band. Feel like Buffalo Buffalo was the first song I heard though
I like all these songs but they sure sound different (musically, not vocally). Not nearly as FIERCE as last 2 albums
As much as I really REALLY like all these singles, this point sticks. The low end staircase climbing “bom bom, bom Bom BOOOOOOOM” riff in the end of the chorus is begging to be surrounded by BFE’s mega guitars. A very minor quibble. I trust this band. This is shaping up to be not just the best of the year for me, but perhaps an all-timer.
I like all of these songs, and not trying to be a downer, but I don’t think I like any of them as much as anything off the last record. Oh well, still good