Album Rating: 4.5

Just finished it. Album was great and I think Carry Me To Safety would have been a closer if it wasn't released as a single. Hopefully I'll get over that soon. My highlights really didn't change as the album kept going although I'd add Heavenly Jewel Thief and all 3 of the singles. Only track I didn't care for in any capacity on first listen was Shoulders, the rest were great. I even found Zanzibar to be something really beautiful. It would have been really cool if it transitioned right into Carry Me To Safety.

I also agree with the complaint about In A Better Place but I still found it to be really cool for what it was.

Album Rating: 4.5

Zanzibar would be great if they'd let it flourish. Still a pretty track for sure. Reminds me of a rushed and poorly-thought-out Daydreaming by Radiohead. It could be as good if it were given proper attention. Unfortunately it comes out as Jonas singing over a B-Side to Teen Daze's newest album. Shoulders is awkward and idk what they were going for with that one.

Album Rating: 4.5

Honestly, I only wish the album had a more rock-oriented track. Other than that and what I previously mentioned, I really don't have anything wrong with this. It's probably my AOTY so far.



And damn Learn Our Crystals is so good, that chorus is so life-assuring. I wish they went back to it during the end one more time though.

Album Rating: 4.5

It's better than I initially thought but Slowdive's newest is my AOTY and I don't foresee it changing. It's the only 5 I've given this year. Absolutely blew me away. Visuals is growing though. Prolly in my top 20.

Album Rating: 4.5

Heavenly Jewel Thief definitely should have made the album



Also after a second listen, I definitely feel like the album is missing something and perhaps it's a long ass closer but it's definitely acceptable for them to not have one. I'm still surprised we got this so much earlier than expected.

Album Rating: 4.5

Nothingness and No Regrets should've been the god damn closer and make it longer. I'm telling you. The lack of an epic closer irks me to no end. Every Mew album has one. It's like the guy covering his eyes from the sun while wearing a backwards hat. The material for an epic closer is there. They just didn't take it. Opportunity missed.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Visuals probably is my AOTY as well, still need to check out Slowdive's album.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Dunno why, but for once, I think it's kinda cool and different that one of their albums has no epic closer. They kinda made something that's "out of their routine," so to say.

Album Rating: 4.5

"Visuals probably is my AOTY as well, still need to check out Slowdive's album."



One of the most aurally pleasing albums I've ever heard. Not as good as Souvlaki, but it's their second best for sure. For context, though, Souvlaki is probably in my top 3 albums ever written.

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah.. I cringed whenever I realized that too. No one asked me. And you only got it at a 2.. smh. Come on now.. Some of their best work

Album Rating: 3.5

Carry Me to Safety IS epic. It's just not that long. But damn the bridge is huge and concluding.



The Radiohead Daydreaming comparison was exactly my first thought too.



Shoulders is very cool and has that Cartoons of Macrame Wounds vibe to it with the repetitive lyrics.



Heavenly Jewel Thief will be a strong contender for SOTY for me when December rolls around.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm sorry but we have to disagree on "Carry Me to Safety". It's not the worst track on here, but it's the worst single, and a horrible closer. The song is great, don't get me wrong but come on now, to Mew lovers it's rather weak. It's not even a highlight of the album. And "Cartoons and Macramé Wounds" is one of their best tracks EVER. It's epic, gorgeous, and trippy. "Shoulders" doesn't hold a torch to it. Agree with the rest though

Album Rating: 3.5

I wasn't a huge fan of the closers on +- to be honest. Or even the closer on No More Stories wasn't that epic if I remember rightly. Louise Louisa is my favourite song of all time and has been for over a decade, so I totally get the expectation that Mew have epic closers. Maybe since I've accepted that they could never top Louise Louisa anyway, I've just stopped expecting epic closers. I don't know. I do think Carry Me to Safety is huge and soaring. I think the only thing it's lacking to make it epic is length, but other than that I think it has everything. Love that song. But that's simply where we disagree which is fine.

Album Rating: 3.5

Oh and I also don't think Shoulders holds a torch to Cartoons. Cartoons is a way better and more fulfilling song. All I'm saying is I think they were going for the same vibe with it, given that it opens with repetition and holds that repetition for a while.

dude shut up

kay minty i'm sorry ur allowed to speak

Album Rating: 4.5

"Rows" is personally my favorite song by Mew and "Cross the River" is a wonderful closer to an orgasmic closer. "Rows" is one of my favorite songs ever written. "Louise Louisa" is a wonderful song too, though. But I mean that song is a closer too. Don't you think "Carry Me to Safety" pales to all 3 by a huge margin? If you don't like them.. then maybe not, but I can't see anyone not liking the closers to +-.. They go through so many movements.



"Rows" is basically their "Comforting Sounds" on steroids I think. It's the only song that does what "Comforting Sounds" does but then does it better.

Album Rating: 2.5

How does this compare to their previous works? I have GHK (my favourite), Frengers & NMS.

Album Rating: 4.5

And "Sometimes Life Isn't Easy" and "Reprise".... like my man are you even listening to the right albums? Those are epic closers too

Album Rating: 3.5

I agree Rows and Cross the River are more adventurous than Carry Me to Safety. They're more interesting and less safe. But sometimes all a song needs to have is a particular moment that really hooks you; that makes it memorable and important in spite of not being epic or adventurous. I happen to love the melodic looseness of the brass in the bridge of Carry Me to Safety, and the way he sings the "mountainous landscape" part, where he hangs onto a single note for most of the phrase. I quite like persistent tones that span chords in a progression, especially with the melodic wavering of the guitar that sits perfectly behind it. I also think the soaring guitar comes in at just the right moment and that gets me good.



So even though intellectually I know and can acknowledge that Rows and Cross the River are more epic and adventurous, they don't have those specific hooks that speak to me in the way that makes Carry Me to Safety resonate with me IN SPITE of not being a massive song.