No Frame is decent, I particularly like the ending of it. I think In Motion is my favorite on the album, first one where everything works for me. Also, aside from the opener, feels most in line with an older UO song to me in a way, just more cleaned up. I’m really beside myself on this closer, idk how I feel about the verse melody but something about it is cool at the same time and the break around 2:15 is one of the coolest parts on the whole album. So yeah idk, overall. Album isn’t doing a lot for me ~4 listens in. I see myself coming back to maybe 3 or 4 songs in the future but I don’t see the rest growing on me enough to find the album in frequent rotation. I really feel like they can, and will, do better than this in the future.
Like the opener. I wish it was a tad heavier vocally. Rapture has grown on me. Don’t love Spencer’s lyrics but I think it will do well if they push for radio. On my Teeth is more enjoyable for me in the context of the album. Again. Lyrically it is a bit too pop heavy in the chorus. Still really like the half time end the last chorus. Wake Me...sound like Fun. Made an under oath song. Then goes full LinkinPark. Boo. Someone made a thrice comparison. This might be worse than wake up. Which is impressive lol
I think this is a direction they will grow into even more if they keep making music. I am sure they will mess with the formula a bit on the next one, while keeping the pop sensibility.
Overall early reaction. Bummed. Love this band. Don’t think the pop structure suits their talents particularly well. Enjoy all the songs when they get weird, dark, heavy, off tempo, off standard structure. Too many cheesy lyrics, too much of the same strong structure, not enough screams from Spencer. Way too many songs that end infinitely better than they start. Hope I come around a bit more on it and hope some fans really enjoy it. Because it’s def on the wrong side of a reunion/rebirth album for me. PS - Chris destoyed the synth on this.
PSS - if these songs all started or explored the bridge / third chorus / outtro parts of these songs...it might be my favorite UO record. Tons of cool shit going on. Grrr
I feel you on that exploration aspect. There are many times at the end of the song where I'm like, "oh man, just explore that part a liiiiiittle more." Most songs leave you craving more. With that said, the replay on this record is insane...I've ran it back like 10 times today. Also, as much as most songs leave me wanting more, I find that I'm somehow satisfied and always looking forward to the next song...really odd lol. That's my opinion though.
The snare drum on this record repeatedly punches you in the face, and I fucking love that. The bass sounds really full and cuts through the mix nicely.
drums and synth stand out a lot on this album, spencer sounds much different and it's very jarring and hard to get used to, but definitely not bad. this is growing with every listen though. and none of the songs on this album sound alike, which is pretty cool. yeah it's more generic and pop, but, you can't say that they didn't experiment. i'd like a little more aaron and a little more screaming, but, this is a cool album and i enjoy it.
i tried again and nope. i just do not like this. at all. also i love when people making sweeping claims about "fans of this band". doesn't smack of bias at all...
After about 10+ listens, it doesn't seem like they took away aspects of their sound, but rather introduced more rock and industrial textures to it (which may be explained by Spencer becoming more involved in the song writing itself). There's still plenty of heavy and experimentation in this, they just added a wider gamut of influences.
I like this album more with every listen. Some songs i still have to skip. I realllly like In Motion, Bloodlust, Start Somewhere, and Hold Your Breath.
After my first listen, there's definitely moments I don't love. I hate Wake Me, but there are some bangers on this record. This is the most accessible and the most experimental record at the same time somehow. I think anyone that hears Rapture or Wake Me (assuming that's a single) on the radio are gonna be so disappointed listening to this record. There's some extremely interesting and challenging parts on here. I even think there are some moments that nod to disambiguation. I'd honestly love to see them go more in the experimental direction for the next record and skip the radio singles, but I hope those singles do well for them and they make a ton of money. 2,3, and 4 are easily the worst songs. I really still enjoy On My Teeth, though.