I definitely agree at this point. I was obsessed when DP came out, thought it was by far their best songwriting, but it wasn’t an album I returned to over the years, and now it’s one that I’m just honestly not feeling most of the time. We’re on the same page about the pandering aspect, listening in context of the discography it just sounds a little forced towards the pop-punk side. If they were copying Heroes, it didn’t work because Heroes has a way better hook than any DP song. I’m surprised how much backlash I’m starting to give the album haha, I don’t dislike it by any means, I’ve just started feeling this way pretty strongly out of nowhere.
Maybe I'm weird, since I just listened to Don't Panic, Dirty Work & Future Hearts for the first time this past month, but there's only four songs on DP + DW that I actually love, and like three on FH. There's some decent songs aside from that, but if I had to rank them all, I would rank it DW > DP > FH. Again, though, I've only listened to each album like four times through each (and my fave tracks more than that, obviously), so I feel like this will change over time.
don't panic has so much more to offer than just catchy hooks tho. not really the case for dirty work. all their other stuff post-NP just feels so interchangeable between albums, like songs written just to cram catchy hooks in rather than to tell stories or move the audience in some unique way
I honestly think Last Young Renegade is their best. Not my favorite, but their best. It’s just so honest and it sounds like them being themselves instead of catering to the kids who want pop-punk. In fact, some of the best songs off of Future Hearts were songs like Tidal Waves and The Edge of Tonight, which were both signs of what’s to come.
I don't see how you could say that songs from Dirty Work, Future Hearts, or LYR don't tell stories. They're full of stories, and plenty moves me too, but I mean I get that that's a matter of opinion. I don't see how those albums are any different than Nothing Personal in that way (telling a story with catchy hooks). And I can't really agree that they all sound interchangeable. They all have very distinct styles and sounds, especially Last Young Renegade. I'm not trying to knock you for not liking those albums or anything, I'm just a little confused by why you don't.
Last Young Renegade (this is literally my favorite ATL song vs. my second favorite ATL song) Six Feet
fwiw I do like Last Young Renegade and think it's their most sincere release, but I feel the imagery and storytelling is still not up to par with DP. and by interchangeable I meant emotionally and thematically interchangeable (rather than sonically)
CURRENT TOTALS Last Young Renegade: 12 Cinderblock Garden: 11 ---------- Weightless: 12 Six Feet Under the Stars: 11 Waiting for the votes of @felipecardel and @SamLevi11
Yeah, I can't wrap my head around not picking "Weightless." I agree with you on Don't Panic, too. It's a very solid if slightly boring album.
Weightless and Six Feet are both top 5 songs from them for me. So, it's pretty much dependant on my mood.
Yea Six Feet and Weightless are both two of their best songs and truthfully two of my favorite songs ever, and I wouldn't be mad with either winning.
Ah ok got ya. I still don't completely agree, but I see where you're coming from a little more now haha
End of ROUND 3 Man, that was close. Last Young Renegade: 12 (RIP) Cinderblock Garden: 13 ---------- Weightless: 12 (RIP) Six Feet Under the Stars: 13 ATL BRACKET FINALE: Cinderblock Garden vs. Six Feet Under the Stars Because this is the finale, I will keep the round open for a whole 24 hour period. Happy voting everyone!
Hey everyone, I just want to take one second to shamelessly plug an upcoming bracket for Sum 41 that @broken22 and I are going to be co-running starting next Monday (3/12) in the Sum 41 band thread: Band - Sum 41 I hope you'll consider joining us :)
And I'd like to give a big thank you to @BlackwingE for running this bracket! I know it's a lot of work and it's definitely very appreciated!