See I just feel like they had a really cool instrumental that Spencer totally wrecked with that god-awful chorus.
Hot take: they should re-record The Changing of Times and They're Only Chasing Safety. See how they sound with Spencer's crazy lows and more hi-def production, give us a studio version of that droney Some Will Seek Forgiveness they played on the Rebirth tour. would shell out the $$$ for it
I want to buy the digital documentary only but seems that’s not an option :( I don’t really have much need or room for physical goods right now in my life, so spending $10 plus shipping for a CD just isn’t something I’m really interested in doing.
Hold Your Breath is pretty indicative of the album as a whole: really cool intro and verses that are ruined by truly horrendous choruses. Working with a pop producer was disasterous.
Nailed it. And the guitar riff at the beginning of Bedroom Galaxy is still one of the best I’ve ever heard. Their stuff holds up remarkably well but I always forget about them.
no frame is really, really good. to the point where it doesn’t sound like it fits on the record lol. like damn
Honestly I think working with a pop producer was far from disastrous. It brought out a lot of things in their music that they hadn't ever attempted before, and I think about 75 - 80% of it worked well here.
If anyone wants to go halfsies on a CD, or let me pay for the shipping on a vinyl order of this or something, in exchange for a link to the documentary.... lmk. I’m seriously wayyy too into their making-of docs to not watch this one.
i like the ending run of no frame - in motion - i gave up. there’s maybe four or five good songs here. they should have come back with an EP or something and then waited a bit more time to write more good songs. overall this is majorly disappointing.
Alright, now I've finally listened to it a few times so I can comment in detail, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. Overall, I'm not really feeling it. There are some moments I absolutely hate, and some I like and almost love, but no song is outstanding in my early opinion. - A solid opening track that kicks the album off with a bang, this is up there with the underoath songs of old. - My problem with this album can be summarized by the transition from the 1st song to Rapture. It's so jarring and it's almost like they were recorded in different studios. The mixing on the drums in rapture is such a far cry from the opening song and a huge step in the wrong direction. I also cannot stand the chorus in this song, it's just an ugly melody. - On my Teeth - Meh, no strong feelings for this song. - The less said about wake me the better. No underoath vibes whatsoever felt in this one. - Bloodlust is another track right in the middle. The riff at 3:00 is chunky and heavy and gets me head banging but i hate the outro. The song just sort of ends and it runs the whole thing. - Sink with you and ihateit are both forgettable. I appreciate Sink with you as they're definitely trying something different. The drum part around 1:30 with the screaming is cool, but the chorus again has just a pretty unlikable melody and the song doesn't seem cohesive. Ihateit is a pretty boring with no cool outstanding parts and the chorus screams 'put this on the radio please'. I'm not against that type of rock, I just wish bands did what they did best and were happy with their fan base and didn't try to reach for the airplay when it goes against their strengths. It's also odd as it has that super hooky chorus mixed in with some older style parts creating a pretty in-cohesive song. - Hold your breath started promising but again the chorus goes against the momentum from the beginning. The transition from verse to chorus on this one doesn't work for me. - No frame and in motion - no strong feelings. - I gave up is a pretty cool closer. I dig this one for the most part and was a nice way to close the album.
After first listen, I wish No Frame was the opener. That song is a textural beast!! The back half definitely rips more than the first half. All in all, I enjoyed the first listen. Kind of glad that the initial reactions were mixed before today. Tempered my expectations.
i was thinking yesterday that this album was surprisingly cohesive even though every song is kinda doing a different thing
knee jerk initial reaction is that this is the biggest let down of the year. some of these songs are so incredibly bland.
I gotta give it to them that they tried something totally out of their ball park but I also think it'll also cost them a ton of fans. And is this sound accessible enough to really bring them a new fanbase? I dunno. I want them to succeed, but this just seems like a total misstep. I'm all for modernizing your sound, but don't dilute your talents.
Even though I need more time with the new record, I wish I was able to go to the free show in Chicago tonight. Bummed I missed the deadline to rsvp.
It brought me in, but to be fair I listened to the rest of their stuff since and love it, so I was already in their wheelhouse, but just overlooked them. Still, it did it's job of bringing in a new fan. When I was getting the new album this morning from Target, they had Rapture playing on the tvs so that was pretty cool.
Watching the documentary and it's so depressing hearing them talk about the album like it's some bold new direction that they've gone in. They really thought it was some experimental masterpiece. Grant was the only one against the new direction apparently, Aaron straight up says he's surprised he didn't quit the band.