The Menzingers - Hello Exile (October 4, 2019) Album • Page 45

Refined and focused (and more mature) is definitely a good way to describe this in relation to the past albums, IMO. Big fan on first listen.

 

Dammit got to track 5 before realizing the leak was in alphabetical order. Cruel!

 

The run from the title track to Strain Your Memory is perfect.

 

Am I correct in counting 3 Tom-led tracks, the rest all Greg?

That makes two of us — I hit play and by the time it was over, I was like “that album has a funky flow to it.” Then I noticed the first two tracks weren’t the only ones listed alphabetically

 

I think this album has some parallels to Rented World. Darker follow up to a massive hit album (OTIP, ATP). Obviously they're sonically different but it has a similar mood if that makes any sense.

 

Up to the title track now, which is the highlight of the non-singles. I gotta say, nothing has shaken the lingering idea that this record is Menzingers-by-the-numbers. I hope that the second half of the record picks up, because this is sitting right now as my least favorite Menzos release

 

Portland rules

EDIT:
So does Strain. Phew, this is picking up

 

IT'S FIGHT TIME

Also just getting started on my first listen let's goooo

 

Strain your memory is so good

 

Giving this a first listen now. Thoughts later.

 

Strain Your Memory is the non-single that stuck out the most on my first listen. Classic Greg imagery-based lyricism.

 

This is awesome, I shouldn’t have been worried. I love that it feels a little more reserved. Should work really well for the fall

 

I feel you. I'm like randomly super nervous today as less than an hour away from leaving work and listening. They've ALWAYS been the band I trust will kill it, the singles have been no exception, but I definitely have some nerves going into it.

 

I'm not sure if its because I'm already familiar with a lot of songs on the first half of the album, but I preferred the back half of the album after my first listen.

 

I was definitely ready to not like this one after being meh on America (and Anna at first, though it grew on me big time) and reading comments about Strangers Forever being by the numbers. It’s also not what I would’ve expected after ATP, but it’s still a fantastic album imo after a couple listens.

 

Strangers Forever got shit for no reason. My favorite of the singles.

this album is great. Nobody does this melancholic nostalgia like The Menzingers do.

 

this is where im at right now after a listen or two. it feels soooooo by the books for them

 

Loving this a lot.

 

I don’t have much of an “emotional” reaction often, but Farewell Youth has absolutely done it.

 

there is no "Lookers" or "I don't wanna be an asshole anymore" or "Casey" on this record, maybe Anna or America, but the point is even without that smashing hit this record is extremely steady and filled with some of their best songs/melodies/and lyrics. Every song seems really solid and placed well in the track listing. It leads to a really great cohesive listen, and this will be on rotation all Fall.

 

I don’t think I was prepared for how this album delves more into the “mid tempo” range, with less of that immediate in your face catchy like ATP.

Which that said, this will be a grower. I can tell we have great lyrics. I cannot wait to spend this fall with this album and take it on.

The “fun catchy” tracks still are rewarding when they come (Strawberry Mansions might be the best Tom track he’s put out), but it’s songs like Farewell Youth that reaffirm this is one of the best bands in the scene currently making music.

 

After one listen I can say I like it more than ATP!

 

Really excited to hear this. Rented World was good, but not great -- I felt as though they didn't quite nail the 'more midtempo' sound on that one, but that was largely doe to the songwriting departure not quite suiting the band's strengths imo. Hopefully they have nailed it this time!

 

2nd listen: I love this. Farewell Youth is the absolute best closer, best song. Can’t get over it.

 

London Drugs is probably my favorite so far.