Fontaines D.C.
A Hero's Death


3.5
great

Review

by Sunnyvale STAFF
August 10th, 2020 | 86 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Another promising effort from an up and coming band, brought down only by a lack of variation

Ireland’s Fontaines D.C. emerged to relative prominence last year with their debut album Dogrel, which showcased a nifty sound mixing punk and post-punk and drew comparisons to IDLES. The band didn’t waste any time in crafting a follow-up, with their second album A Hero’s Death released scarcely over a year later.

A Hero’s Death sees the band moving towards a bit more atmospheric, indie rock leaning sound. The biting vocals and sardonic lyrics are still there, but the musical background is largely composed here of more reserved and sedate jams without the omnipresent energy of some of the tracks on their debut. The stylistic shift largely works to the album’s benefit, as there are really no bad songs here and the foreboding atmosphere is well-crafted, melodic but menacing nonetheless. Songs like the excellent opener “I Don’t Belong” and the catchy track “You Said” demonstrate the band’s mastery of new sound, as do the penultimate and final tracks, which end the album on a slower, thoughtful note. The downside is that A Hero’s Death, while consistent, can sometimes be a bit too “samey” for its own good. There are a few songs which don’t do much to distinguish themselves, even as they adhere to the general sound of the release.

While A Hero’s Death is unfortunately not thoroughly gripping all the way through its runtime, it does benefit from a strong and cohesive atmosphere, and even at its weakest moments, the songs are still good. The band would benefit from a bit more stylistic variation next time, they did not disappoint on their sophomore effort, and remain a promising band with a future to look out for.



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user ratings (228)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
Barry000 (3.5)
Awesome garage-ey punk rock...

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
August 10th 2020


6175 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Figured I'd give this one a write-up, as I've been listening to this band regularly of late

AxeToFall93
August 10th 2020


316 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Solid review but I think this one has a lot of variation tbh

Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
August 10th 2020


6175 Comments

Album Rating: 3.7

Thanks!



There are definitely some standout songs, however I do find it more one-note than the debut. In terms of quality, I'd put them very similar though

Medium
August 10th 2020


3 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

A "raw" 4 from me, and immediately after the 1st listening, I would've agreed with you on it's "samey" sound. A few more plays (under duress from storms & flooding) I hear a much different album now that shows alot more growth & range typically found on sophomore albums.

someone
Contributing Reviewer
August 11th 2020


6954 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Haven't yet heard this in full, but "I Don't Belong" and "A Lucid Dream" are both stellar.

claygurnz
August 11th 2020


7679 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Televised Mind is everything I want from a rock song in 2020

tectactoe
August 11th 2020


7929 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Agree re lack of variation. This is a very good, even great album, but extremely one-note, which means it's extremely consistent but surprisingly doesn't leave much of a lasting impression.

MillionDead
August 11th 2020


5587 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm just a big fat sucker for good modern post-punk groups.

TheLeopardsFret
August 11th 2020


59 Comments


Really want to check this out, love these guys sound

Lucman
August 12th 2020


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This is really good, but I do wish the music behind him was a little more pronounced and in the forefront because there are some fantastic sounds back there.

JesusCage
August 12th 2020


445 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this might be a 4 maybe.. 'a hero's death' is a early fav

GhandhiLion
August 12th 2020


17677 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

ooh non revival post-punk

Tunaboy45
August 12th 2020


18562 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This album has variation in spades, it's fantastic

DoofDoof
August 12th 2020


15875 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

yeah this is pretty varied - a few near-ballads, 'America' is a unique rocker for them, certainly enough variety for your average 'rock album'



so much better than the debut

hel9000
August 12th 2020


1597 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

liking this.

MillionDead
August 12th 2020


5587 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Doof, a 5 feels a bit heavy handed for this. I feel like they still have a lot of growing they could do. Glad you love it, though. I wish The Murder Capital would improve this way.

DoofDoof
August 13th 2020


15875 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The 5 rating might be downgraded to a 4.5 by year’s end but it’s currently an easy top pick for 2020



Opener is incredible and the closer is growing on me a lot now. Only two songs I think are slightly below par

DoofDoof
August 13th 2020


15875 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I actually believe this will be their peak, but call me a pessimist

schoonda
October 11th 2020


1842 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

These guys are head and shoulders above their contemporaries, they deserve more attention here

Cygnatti
November 16th 2020


36129 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

i gotta give this a spin



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