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The Neighbourhood – The Neighbourhood

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Apr 16, 2018.

  1. Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply.

    Typically when a band, such as The Neighbourhood, choose to self-title an album, it signals either a re-branding or further solidifies how the band wants to be perceived from this point forward. This album (which is their third full-length LP) falls into the latter category as it thoroughly solidifies the type of music that The Neighbourhood have grown into. The album as a whole focuses on the band’s strengths: gloomy themes, synth-laden riffs, and outstanding vocals from front-man Jesse Rutherford.

    The promotional approach for this album was different than what they had tried in the past, as they released two EPs (Hard & To Imagine) leading up to the release of the full-length. This creative approach of teasing the new styles and themes they were experimenting with gave their fans a glimpse into the creative process that went into this album. The lazy approach of releasing two EPs and having the same exact songs and sequencing on the album is not in this band’s DNA, as they have chosen the very best of the EPs content and created an album worth multiple repeat listens.

    The album starts off on a bright note with the shiny “Flowers,” which features brilliant falsetto vocals in the verses leading to a catchy chorus. This lead-off track sets the table nicely for the lead-off single “Scary Love,” which is one of the best songs in the band’s hit-laden catalog to date. The aforementioned single hits all the right notes and shows the direction the band wants to take the listener through on the rest of the LP. “Nervous” is also sequenced perfectly on this album which flows beautifully and could have easily found its way onto the band’s “beachy” Wiped Out! album.

    The middle of the record, which features the synth-pop of “Void,” sounds like it could’ve been written by Beach House, and “Softcore” has the vibe of the soundtrack to Drive with its stop-start vocal approach and heavy synths throughout. It’s easy to see the influence that 80’s pop has had on this band, but they have found a way to modernize this style into a fresh artistic statement.

    The later stages of the album slow down the tempo of the earlier tracks, however the atmospheric approach of songs like “Blue” and “Sadderdaze” paint the picture of a band making every single note count. It was almost as if the band knew this album could potentially make or break their audience, and they have taken full advantage of the opportunity here. My personal favorite on the album, “Revenge,” won me over on realizing this band’s potential and staying power in my regular album rotation.

    By the time the listener gets to the final track “Stuck With Me,” the album has already made the listener think about revisiting this LP sooner rather than later. The Neighbourhood showcases a band that is not only comfortable with who they are, but an artist that is dedicated to improving on their strengths rather than worrying about reinventing themselves in order to stay relevant in today’s music scene.

     
    Mr. Serotonin likes this.
  2. serotonin

    who told you this room exists?

    Gonna check the band out based on the review, but I think you missed these in the title:

    The Neighbourhood – The Neighbourhood
     
    paythetab likes this.
  3. Mr. Serotonin

    I'm still staring down the sun Prestigious

    Unfortunately only the singles really stuck with me.
     
  4. serotonin

    who told you this room exists?

    I'm not sure what the singles were, but I liked the first few tracks at the beginning, felt a lull in the middle and it just never picked back up for me. Some of it reminded me of Sir Sly which I'm a fan of.
     
    Mr. Serotonin likes this.
  5. Mr. Serotonin

    I'm still staring down the sun Prestigious

    Yeah I guess that’s kinda how I felt too. Love Sir Sly.
     
    serotonin likes this.
  6. Rob Hughes

    Play the Yakuza series

    But which one of you is the real serotonin?
     
    Mr. Serotonin likes this.
  7. Mr. Serotonin

    I'm still staring down the sun Prestigious

    I was here first.
     
  8. Helloelloallo

    Trusted Supporter

    I'm glad to see a positive review. Nearly everything I've been reading on other sites has put the album down pretty hard which is a shame because I love it. I've always liked them but never really listened to their albums as a whole but this one barely has any skippable tracks so I'm glad I hit play from track 1 and let it keep going. I've probably gone through the whole album half a dozen times already. Replay jams are Scary Love and Nervous. I agree that they flow together really well.
     
    paythetab likes this.
  9. Helloelloallo

    Trusted Supporter

    Do you like the Dont you worry honey? as much as you Haunt Me? I love the new album until I play something off the old one then I miss that style.
     
    serotonin and Mr. Serotonin like this.
  10. Mr. Serotonin

    I'm still staring down the sun Prestigious

    I actually prefer Don't You Worry Honey. Pretty much like every single song on that record.
     
    Jason Tate and serotonin like this.
  11. Hazelnutsack

    Irregular

    This was too boring and predictable to finish