Album Rating: 5.0

"Also why is the average so low"



A 4.1? That's not low at all lol

Album Rating: 4.0

A better question is, why isnt TWFM's average higher than SWB.

Album Rating: 5.0

true this isn't on that level

TWFM has emerged as my 2nd fave National, behind HV and about equal-ish to Alligator

Album Rating: 3.5

lol

Album Rating: 3.0

After three listens, I've settled on a 3. Fairly disappointed. As someone else pointed out, the bleeps and bloops aren't enough to make up for the somewhat underwhelming songwriting. I'm sure I'll revisit this later, but there's too much other good new music for me to keep waiting on this to get better right now.

Album Rating: 3.5

really digging title track

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

dbizz, I can see where you're coming from. This might be the least immediate in their entire discog. However, I have a feeling it will turn out to be the biggest grower too.

Album Rating: 4.5

really digging title track[2]



High Violet lacked immediacy too but it turned out to be one of their best. Never underestimate the power of a slow burn.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

That's why I'm not rating this until I'm reasonably confident of my opinion.

Album Rating: 5.0

This will either be a 3 or a 4.5, not sure yet.

"The bleeps and bloops aren't enough"

Ugh really

This actually feels like their most immediate imo, im finding this intimacy next to these lively, delicate arrangements very arresting

Album Rating: 3.0

Y-yes?

Album Rating: 5.0

the ultimate bitch slap to anyone who actually understands electronic music/undertones

It feels like a genre slur lol

^ that

Also to suggest that's really all the national added here is pretty reductive and vaguely insulting

Album Rating: 3.5

im just glad there's drums on this one

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

But electronics are literally the only thing they've added to their instrumental palette here... The songwriting is a bit more abstract though.

The drums on I'll Still Destroy You and Guilty Party are like wow

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

And I'm a bit conflicted on the electronics; sometimes they work but sometimes they stand out in an unappealing way, esepecially in the first half of the album. But they will probably grow on me with time.

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah, what else did they add? And sorry, I didn't think it was an insult to say bleeps and bloops especiallly concerning a rock album lol.

@Boney
I'd say it's more about how they're used, it's not like they literally just threw in a few bloops for cheap effect, they're like building whole new atmospheres here with it- electro beats are the backbone of a number of songs here.