I listened to this just a little bit ago and... it's fine? I mean, it's not the best Used album I've ever heard, but it's still pretty listenable. If anything the worst thing I can think about it is that it's a fairly paint-by-numbers Used album. It sounds like the Used. It doesn't pop, I guess. I am somewhat intrigued by the fact that they seem to be focused on... not necessarily quantity over quality, but they have been fairly prolific in their songwriting between Canyon's massive tracklist and then putting out what is basically a complete second album on top of Heartwork's already equally sprawling tracklist. And then there's apparently two albums worth out of this session as well. It's a lot, is what I'm saying. I'm not exactly complaining. I actually think the bonus album for Heartwork was better than the album proper, and I guess it affords them the luxury to experiment where they want to and put it out there for the people who want it.
'Beyond ‘Toxic Positivity’, the guys reveal that they have 10 more songs that didn’t make the record which they still plan to release. “We’re gonna put everything out” Bert confirms. “Everything we do whether it is the best or the worst, we are just gonna put it out. It’s kind of hard to do a deluxe album…maybe we’ll try and do it as a separate thing. But there’s lots and lots of songs and it was tough to pick the ones that made the record”
(distressed that the only positive voices in here are the obsessed fan and the contrarian) (clings to FTank's post like a life preserver)
I want a driven guitar album. Enough with the fake laugh, violin sampling and all that stuff. I want a rock album
I Hate Everybody is instantly a bottom 5 Used song lol. Why do the verses sound like Iggy Azalea Through Dopamine and it's pretty mid Used. Not as bad as they're capable of but nothing memorable. Better than my very low expectations anyways lol. But def a regression from Heartwork
5 tracks in and Headspace is the clear standout. Numb is fine, wish PAV and FY were on this. I enjoyed Heartwerk quite a lot and like most of what these guys have done outside of Vuln/IE/Canyon so I will give this a solid chance.
so, the first few tracks didn't really do anything for me, although Numb sounded better than I remembered. Nor do I think this is as great as Heartwork or my other favorite albums (self-titled) that said, I really liked like the last 3/4. i forget which track started it. Like it was a better song, not the best, but listenable and then they just kept getting better. Headspace was good. I remember liking Cherry. I think Dopamine might be my favorite. Definitely plan to listen to this a lot more. Maybe those earlier tracks will grow on me, but this was my first impression. oh, final thought-about the lack of guitars, well I mean I noticed it on Giving Up. Really love the song, but realized that the album seems like quite a departure from the heavy guitar emphasis in well, self-titled and probably others. I know Heartwork had a lot more like keyboards and non guitar stuff, but still was balanced. Again, I like the album as it is, but it's weird to have less guitar. Like, how will they perform these songs??