This is utterly fantastic so far and the Tom songs, for the first time for me, are equal to the Greg ones. At Ultraviolet and not one song hasn't been excellent. This is also the best sounding Menz record imo
Ultraviolet really raised my eyebrows. Dig this song so much. Sounds so much different than maybe any other song they've released? Loving this album on first listen.
Yeah I’m giving with this album just as much as I thought I would. Perfect for the headspace I’m in (bad)
Once through and I'm kind of lukewarm on this. Agree with whoever said earlier that the back half kind of drops off. A lot of the Greg songs sound a bit same-y as well and I think that is helping the Tom songs shine through. There's No Place in This World for Me the early standout so far. Greg just knows how to write the most cathartic lyrics to belt. I Was Born, Rivalries, Good Things, Obits, Asshole, Rodent, Telling Lies, they all just dig deep. I also missed the grit in his voice that really has not been present since Rented World. Easy improvement sound wise in every way
Tom is awesome it is just hard sometimes being directly compared to Greg, who in my opinion is one of my favorite songwriters and vocalists in this scene. Really enjoy Nobody Stays, Try, Love at the End, and High Low. Tom's lead songs have been great the past two albums, despite that only being 7 songs.
Each listen the album gets better and better. So glad the vocals are back up front and center where they should be. Both Greg and Tom sounding great, with Greg leaning more into the twang on tracks like "Come On Heartache", which right now is my favorite song on the album. "Try" is super fun. Every Menzingers album takes me about 4-5 listens through to truly get it. I love the first few listens but I feel like I understand it after that 4th or 5th listen.
On my 4th listen and absolutely loving this. Definitely going to be on repeat throughout the fall. Also really dig the call back to "Black Mass" in "Ultraviolet".
Only album Tom really beefs it on is Rented World, imo, and I quite like Bad Things. Title track is probs my fav on Hello Exile.
I kind of feel like I Didn't Miss You wears thin as a penultimate song. Album is already 13 songs and 45 minutes. Would've been just fine with that one being cut.
Yeah Ultraviolet is an all timer. Probably already a top 10 song of theirs, though that might be list might be impossible if I actually tried to make it.