New albums seems to be shaping up nicely but I really hope in future albums they bring back some of the energy which is what I'm missing in these new songs.
This 100% describes what I'm feeling about these 3 singles so far. The gloom and doom I expect from them are there, but there's just something missing...I don't know if it's because I'm more of an orgcore punk dude ala Schmaltz than I am with the more expansive rock influences they're injecting into their songs now with them progressing their sound but I'm just not as hyped for this as I was with BFE leadup with Losers, Kick, etc. It's all still great stuff though.
IMO: Letting the songs breathe works so much better for the band. The past albums were so messy that the songs, and the song structures got lost. Was just a wall of noise that gets difficult to differentiate song to song, let alone within the song itself. Now the only hard part to listen to is how sad you want to be because of the lyrics.
"I know what they say when I walk in the light, there's no joy in my life, there's no joy when I'm right" Has been stuck in my head for like 3 days now.
I can see someone calling Schmaltz messy (it’s part of its charm), but calling BFE messy is blasphemous lol
I dig the new sound. It’s a nice change of pace and it’s showing just how diverse this band can be after being pigeonholed by a lot of people due to how similar they sound to other bands. People can now stop comparing them to The Menzingers all of the time lol
I think I may like the ETC versions more too? I mean I love BFE but I think toning down the wall of sound makes the lyrics reeeeeeeeally hit home.
Yep I think this was my same reaction too. Like obviously I love BFE, but the lyrics hit better slowed down when you can make them out easier.
It’s weird because I think most of the Etc versions are alright, but the lacking energy makes it difficult for me to not just listen to the actual album. I’ve also never had issue deciphering their lyrics and think the album sounds super clean. It’s a very easy listen and not hard to make out the lyrics in my opinion.
I know I'm way late on seeing this post, but I can't believe that advances are still going out on Haulix.
For the record, I like the original BFE version better and it was arguably my AOTY. But I also appreciated the Etc versions and do think it works with the lyrics. Both can be true!
Of course! I wasn’t judging anyone for their preferences, it’s super interesting that people who both love the record prefer the different versions. It’s probably my favorite album of the last three years and I’m happy everyone enjoys it in their own way. I’m still super bummed the west coast didn’t get a proper headliner supporting the album. I’d love if they did a fall headliner that came here.
I can subscribe to the theory that a lot of BFE sounds similar. I don't see that as a bad thing, but I think it's why I prefer Schmaltz a tidbit more because there is a lot more differentiation within that album. I am fine with them pulling it back a little (or a lot) on this album because BFE seems like you're getting punched in the face for 40 minutes straight.