Album Rating: 2.5

The kind of Car Seat Headrest that sticks out too far, and when you finally adjust it to a comfortable spot the damn thing falls off.

Main distraction is Toledo's vocals. He's got some extremely catchy melodies for sure. Mumbling technique to create an atmosphere of inner monologue, detachment, and callous can be effective. But I find his style irritating. In contrast, Courtney Barnett executes this style far better.

Songs like My Boy (Twin Fantasy) come across as half-baked Weezer tunes.

Still gotta give props to the band for managing to come up with anything after being handed the lyrics for Beach Life-in-Death. Seriously. That song is bonkers, and they conveyed that chaos effectively.

Terms of lyrics, Toledo drones on about his problems with some clever introspection and I enjoy his writing style...but come on. At some point, you have to realize that frolicking in your whimsical little escapades of drinking, sex, drugs, is giving way to problems. Dude just needs a solid friend to keep him accountable. Although I'm doubtful Toledo is capable of taking level headed advise, without dismissing it as "descending into cliche".

Album Rating: 4.5

so you made an account to come and sound this stupid?

nah, dude has well-reasoned points

^ yup. Personally I prefer the straight to the point, slightly more accessible sound of Teens of Denial. I'm a man of simple tastes, and that thing just hits the spot for me, whilst (I think) being more thematically consistent and engaging. I'm not as big of a fan of the lyrical angle on this one (partially for the reasons leku lays out). It aint bad though, not by any stretch of the imagination.

Album Rating: 4.5



"Songs like My Boy (Twin Fantasy) come across as half-baked Weezer tunes."



"At some point, you have to realize that frolicking in your whimsical little escapades of drinking, sex, drugs, is giving way to problems. Dude just needs a solid friend to keep him accountable. Although I'm doubtful Toledo is capable of taking level headed advise, without dismissing it as "descending into cliche". "



I'm sorry but I dont see whats well-reasoned about this



what asleep wrote on the other hand is a fair complaint and one I hear very often regarding this record, but I still don't see how you could just disregard the lyrical content here as: "whimsical little escapades of drinking, sex, drugs" when I think in fact that applies more to TOD

I've talked before about the different nature of these records, I personally avoid making such comparisons, although of course it has a lot to do with my infatuation for the band, though I will say this: as much as I love TOD, I find TF(2011) a more rewarding experience once you spend enough time with it and embrace it for what it really is

Album Rating: 2.5

I've had an account for 4 years on this site, sorry if my brief moments of sharing my mind "sound stupid". Don't worry, I'm well aware.

I thought your review was excellently written Cormano, and I understand this album speaks to you on a personal level. Not just yourself either. Toledo has received high praise by many others for his work.

Reading your review and others, I've tried to seek out what everyone seems to enjoy this album for, but it just doesn't click for reasons I stated above. I enjoy Courtney Barnett, King Krule, Mac Demarco, etc. artists that express similar styles. Like I said, I agree that Toledo has a special knack for conveying emotions. The problem lies in personal affect, because the stories Toledo tells are not relatable to my own relationships, thoughts, and fears. Do I pity Toledo's problems? Sure, I feel bad that he had such internal suffering caused by a relationship. I also think he could've solved it better, had he sought guidance from others instead of wallowing in an echo chamber of hurt and confusion. To which the album ending gives a glimmer of hope, as you pointed out.

So my score on a metaphorical rating system derived from fashion trends would be "middle-aged man wearing socks, sandals, and jorts" rating, as I find the music lackluster but the lyrics superbly crafted, however not affable.

Album Rating: 4.5

@leku200



yeah I'm sorry about that, I was extremely drunk when I saw your post and wrote that then I did realise you were an old user lmao, so yeah my bad



that's fair I mean I am aware csh just doesn't cut it for everybody, especially when stuff gets this instrospective and personal, so I do feel you haven't just written them off completely? what other records from Toledo you heard?



and also how come you don't post more?

Album Rating: 2.5

This was his first album I listened through the majority of songs, any other albums just random tunes that would arise in Spotify playlists, pandora, etc.

I only post comments in spaces I feel I can add to the conversation/not enough conversation going on. I don't wanna leave comments "dis da bomb 10/10" or "dis sucks 1/10", but well constructed criticism takes time and ain't got lotta it.

So why bother investing time in something I didn't really enjoy? Because your review was engaging, the artist has garnered a fair bit of hype, and other negative-based responses in first 7 pages of comments were horrible at explaining themselves. I think those giving 4.5-5's here to this record deserved explanation from the other side, as to why some of us can't dig it.

Album Rating: 2.5

mirror to mirror > this

yea fidelity is not the determining factor in what makes this good or bad imo

Album Rating: 2.5

nah it's not that it's just some songs feel a tad bloated on this

i think will manages to carry long songs a lot better than other artists, never felt like his songs get too bloated

Album Rating: 2.0

how can you enjoy this when the dude singing has one of the most uninteresting and boring voices known to man?



makes me wanna go nap-nap.

Album Rating: 4.5

"This was his first album I listened through the majority of songs, any other albums just random tunes that would arise in Spotify playlists, pandora, etc."



there definetely is a record right up your alley, I'd say Nervous Young Man, its probably the most accomplished of his college records, that is if you can handle 2 hours of Toledo on medication



"and other negative-based responses in first 7 pages of comments were horrible at explaining themselves."



this, I actually don't ever want you to leave this thread

Album Rating: 4.0

His vocal style is very fitting for delivering some of the more wittier lines in the album; I wouldn't say that his voice is "boring" but I'd definitely agree if you said it was annoying.

Album Rating: 2.0

if it was annoying at least it'd grab my attention...But it IS still a little annoying lol.



Dunno, sounds like a dude i'd rather not listen to. That's my main issue with this, tbh. The songwriting's ok but the voice man... No thanks.

is everything this band does just boring af?

Album Rating: 4.5

yea

yea [2]

Album Rating: 3.5

Albums that aren't just super long but also feel super long aren't my cup of tea as it seems...have to give this one a few more spins to render a verdict but the length is making me postpone it all the time.