Rated 4/10
Know nothing about this other than I think I’ve heard the band name before. I want to like this, and it’s not BAD just…boring. I could see this being okay driving around at night, or playing in the background of a Borders books circa 2002, but I don’t think I’d ever actively search this one out. 2/5
Rated 10/10
Already knew and love this album, it’s 5 stars easy, if anything the only downside is Doolittle the following album surpasses this one
Rated 6/10
Excited! Only know Song 2 before listening and have heard only good things about this one.
Track 3 is the most Beck influenced song I’ve ever heard, it’s not a bad impersonation honestly. So far all the songs are super tight, no complaints honestly, I can imagine though how fans of their early stuff might have been turned off by this shift.
Really liking this! Not at all groundbreaking, but just a solid record for the time, the few stand out tracks are fun.
I think that’s the thing holding it back from being a classic, there are some great moments on here but other than the bombastic Song 2, I don’t think any song has the staying power. None of them are bad! They just don’t stand out. I think this is a very strong 4/5, damn close to 5, but just missing an extra something, the end kinda limps along and definitely sours the whole.
Rated 6/10
Excited for this one! One of those bands I’ve always wanted to give a listen but never have for whatever reason. I know they’re seminal in the indie genre and really want to see what I’m missing.
Oh. This sure sounds like…a foundational indie album from 2007…but without any real oomph. And some really bad cliches. I’m struck by how much the mirror mirror lyric feels. Bad. It reminds me of Muse. Which is bad. Are these guys Quebecois? Yes, okay the lyrics MIGHT be more forgivable. But just, flavor, and there never seems to be much of a payoff in these songs.
The biggest issue is comparing this to what came before and what came after from other acts in the genre this is just so soulless, nothing is BAD, but nothing stands out either.
So many songs on this album end triumphantly, but come up feeling flaccid. I’m probably gonna lay most of the blame on the singer whose voice lacks the power to match the strings surrounding him. And generally the lyrics are just, bland nothing, I love the mainstream reviews that say this is a statement on the Bush era, and it sure is, it says and accomplishes nothing like so many passionless and meaningless protests that ruled the era. Its a 2.5 really
Rated 8/10
Opens with a classic Do it Again, good vibes all around, really dense instrumentation, percussion especially. Killer solo before that iconic keyboard riff in the bridge.
Dirty Work, Jazzy instrumental, vocals are 70s as hell, and then I realize I know it! Harmonies are unbelievably good
Kings, oof, this is some serious 70s cheese, there’s still some real wonders going on with the instruments, but this is a stinker.
Midnite Cruiser
Vibe with this one a lot more, good chorus
Only A Fool Would Say That
Solid
Reelin’ In the Years
Honestly perfect, just crisp and fun and catchy, if this was their only song they’d be iconic
Fire in the Hole
Kind of a bop, doesn’t do much but manages to be fun
Brooklyn
Love it, kind of a classic feeling singer-songwriter joint
Change of the Guard
Forgettable, by no means bad but nothing really stood out
Turn that Heartbeat Over Again
Oof, a real wet fart of an ending, feels like any other song from the time. Bad closer.
The singles I know are the singles for a reason, and I do really like the overall vibe and experimentation in this record. A bit confused as to how it became SUCH a popular record and band in recent years. Good bit by no means earth shattering, 4/5
