There is some fake building, but also a ton of actual explosive musical moments that feel like they are set up really well. Also feels like they mean more since they are more rare.. it's been said to death but the end of sun just seems like such an earned moment to me. I also love being surprised in music, I like it when something goes somewhere that I may not expect.
Hah. I probably over-corrected since I was this close to just posting a brief blog post I had written up on why I was feeling so let down by it and then thought "well, no one actually wants to read this." I just wanted to know if I was alone in being disappointed since I've seen a fair bit of praise for it going around.
My problem is that most (if not all) have the buildups that explode just feel like letdowns. Soft Animal is an example of this (with the 'fawn doe, white snow, make me feel alive, etc...') parts being the buildup
I personally think the guitar solo in Pt.2 is deserved. The spoken word intro, and steady build up to the solo fits perfectly. I personally don't connect with this as much as Home, but I kinda knew that would happen going in. Regardless I love this record.
the solo is probably my favorite part in the song other than the distorted part after the first verse
I don't remember the last time I saw an argument about a guitar solo. Or someone talk about a guitar solo.
I don't know if it's been discussed or not (although it probably has been, so sorry for bringing it up), but I honestly cannot accept that "Housebroken" is a police protest song or anything of that sort. I just feel like it's a lie haha. Also sorry for bringing it up/all the eyerolls that follow.
I mean, knowing the context I see it, but you could have asked me what it's about 100 times and I would never guess that. But I have no problem with them not playing it; it's just not a great song.
I feel like Holden seems like the type of person to admit otherwise and openly apologize for it, which, I mean, they already kind of did by acknowledging the song's problems. It's just a badly written song with poorly chosen language/metaphors. And, given their political inclinations, I can much sooner see them writing an anti-cop song before a victim-blaming song about abuse. Glad they don't play it anymore.
Glad that we don't have to discuss its meaning anymore and I'm glad we can move on from it. I still don't hate the song as much as most people though
After a few weeks with this thing, it has certainly overtaken Home for me. I really loved Home, but while the writing was good, a lot of it just didn't resonate with where I was in life, so while I appreciate it I didn't really submerse myself in most of it. There are exceptions, like Introduction and Dendron, but it was otherwise one of those records that is written from such a personal perspective that I enjoyed it more as a spectator if that makes any sense. This record not only kicks the writing up to a whole new level, but uses a vaguer scope in doing so that I find myself attaching my own experiences to much more easily. I loved lurking in here around the time of the stream and seeing people offer totally different interpretations of what it meant to them. When you see Christian say, paraphrasing, "When the record's out, it's not mine anymore, and I can't answer when I'm asked what the lyrics mean", this feels like a record that embodies that mindset. It's incredible to see such maturity and perspective from such a young band on what is functionally their sophomore album.
I actually enjoy Housebroken more with the anti-cop context but ya it's still problematic in the way it's written and perceived.
I will say this, and it's too early to speculate but I have no idea what sound they go for after this record ha.
i just want to point out that the old ap review for that record said Housebroken was about our government (which is at least closer) and i remember tending to agree with that and being shut down by others.
ahh ok that makes sense. i just remember someone was like 'i think this song is about the state' and i was like 'no you're wrong there's this interview that says it's about abuse' or s/t