Album Rating: 5.0

Never listened to Always Foreign tbh like I didnt even know that shit came out. When yall say "the last album" i think Harmlessness

Album Rating: 3.5

'I honestly don't get how you could like this but think Always Foreign is bad'

Despite the big tracks, Always Foreign definitely feels... smaller, and less substantial than this and Harmlessness, I think. Don't know if that's why people dislike it; but that's what I've always loved about it. It feels less ambitious, but very to the point.

I agree that it's def "smaller" (to me that means less explosive) than their other stuff. But I think AF really shows them trending in the directions they eventually take here more than Harmlessness does honestly

And I'm not sure I agree that Foreign is less "substantial". Like, I think it's a lot more lyrically dense and interesting than their early stuff. But that's not what everyone is coming to this band for and I get that.

Album Rating: 3.5

'And I'm not sure I agree that Foreign is less "substantial". Like, I think it's a lot more lyrically dense and interesting than their early stuff.'

Yeah, substantial was the wrong word; I agree that it's lyrically denser and more interesting than the earlier stuff. I just meant sonically -- less explosive is a better way of putting it, definitely. Based on that, though, I wouldn't have been able to predict this album -- I think this retains the coldness and the pessimism of AF, for sure, but definitely feels like a return to (and, really, an outperformance of) the grandiosity of Harmlessness, only... darker, colder, heavier?

Can safely say I prefer AF, at this point. This isn't grabbing me emotionally, but I am definitely very impressed.

Yeah, agree with you on all of that. I also am pretty sure I think AF is their best- although I pretty much think all of their stuff is great.

"Between Bodies> everything else they've done" is still my favourite take i've heard about this band

Album Rating: 5.0

"Between Bodies> everything else they've done"



My girlfriend gave me this take yesterday. She is a poetry/acting/writing type, so I wasn't too surprised.

I have days when I really love it and days when I can't stand it depends on if I'm feeling spoken word at the time i guess

Album Rating: 5.0

TWENTY THREE BY EIGHTY FOUR BY TWENTY EIGHT

That line fucking hits so hard

Album Rating: 4.5

first time i listened to Getting Sodas since this album dropped and yeah that ending is 20000x more powerful than the callback in Fewer Afraid and that's probably my only gripe with this album tbh

Album Rating: 3.5

"My girlfriend gave me this take yesterday. She is a poetry/acting/writing type, so I wasn't too surprised."



unfortunately from a musical perspective it's complete garbage

Album Rating: 5.0

Dang Art I thought you were talking about this album. Cause it’s musically proficient in every way.

Album Rating: 5.0

"and yeah that ending is 20000x more powerful than the callback in Fewer Afraid"



Yes



"and that's probably my only gripe with this album tbh"



I weirdly like that it is more non-chalent and 'less powerful'. Feels even more like a victory lap which after this perfect album, they have earned and deserve!

I think between bodies just needed a tiny bit effort put into how the vocals work with the music because there are moments that really work for me. The final track on BB is one of their best in my opinion.

Agree re the final callback on illusory walls not having the same impact but I think it definitely works here.

Album Rating: 5.0

It's time for that 5

The instrumentals are amazing. Female lead vox are ear grating, though.

Album Rating: 4.0

I love how the male vocalist slowly progresses into Tom Delonge throughout the album.

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah only the thing is this vocalist is likable.