On my second listen and this is fantastic. The highs are HIGH. Really digging Pocket and Coma. I loved the musical direction of AFAR, but the production is a bit too muddy for my liking. This is a move back toward YDL clarity but LOUDER.
2 or 3 serious jams on here and a bunch of songs that haven't connected with me (yet). interested to see how it holds up
White Reaper Get to the Heart of “Only Slightly Empty” with Their Track-by-Track Breakdown Digital Cover Story: White Reaper Guitarist and Vocalist Tony Esposito Talks 'Only Slightly Empty'
It took me a while to really connect with YDL and now I absolutely love that record. Had a positive first listen of this but hoping it grows on me similarly.
Saw WR last night in Chicago. An absolutely ripping set and the crowd was going nuts the entire time. I know the twins left the band, but Hunter (lead guitar) was also missing last night. Their tour just started so I wonder if he is going to meet up with them later.
This is solid enough but nothing they have done since "The World's" album has even approached those heights, for me.
I think You Deserve Love is their best record and they were on the cusp of breaking out but COVID screwed everything up sadly and the two records that followed since are simply not as strong or anthemic.
You Deserve Love was my shiiiiit right before Covid hit. So many roadtrips in CA with that album. Never got old. Its their most unique album. I'm loving this new album though. It kind of blends what I love most about Asking For A Ride and You Deserve Love. It's definitely more consistent than Asking For a Ride, but Asking For a Ride has some absolute punk bangers on it.
To be honest, I've come to really like what this band has turned into. I was expecting them to go for massive stadium anthems after YDL, but they've become a super consistent, tight and catchy power pop band. What they're doing now is just more interesting to me!
This album is an easy fun and listen. I’ve really been enjoying it. Really looking forward to adding the new Spiritual Cramp album to the rotation with this and the Militarie Gun album.
Saw White Reaper just dropped of their European dates with Militarie Gun. Lots of bad luck for these guys in the last year or two
Just snagged tickets for the tour with Drug Church. I just saw WR in October, but I am so excited they're coming back through Chicago so soon. The crowd for the last show was WILD so I am glad they're playing a bigger venue this time.
I like it a lot, feels a bit like a "recentering" after the lineup changes. Not too many chances taken (though "Blue 42" is cool and distinct for them) and not as many memorable instrumental flourishes as the previous couple albums, but the songcraft is still there.
The drums on the record not recorded by guests (all songs but Coma and Honestly) are missing the charm of their old drummer but I think the other instruments rip throughout.
they seem to be cursed commercially post-"might be right" for some reason despite releasing a lot of radio-friendly songs, but imo "freakshow" should have been a single