Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Not in direct response to you esp since it seems you agree with me on this album, but I have to say that I get really annoyed with the argument that bands have to constantly shift and change. Like, if a band arrives at an interesting and unique enough sound, what does it matter if they change or not? Obviously a consistent sound or lack of variety can be due to a lack of inspiration but such is not necessarily the case. An artist has a thing, you go to them for that thing, and if they do that thing well where's the problem? If you don't want to hear the same thing again, there are thousands of other artists you can listen to. The irony too is that a lot of the time when artists do change their sound people complain.

Basically I just wish people would stop saying that an artist not changing up their sound is a bad thing in and of itself, or that they need to change in order to stay relevant. I'm not averse to change myself but it's not something that I actively look for either, especially when a band has arrived at a truly winning formula (as I believe is the case with The War on Drugs).

And all that said, in the case of this particular album I actually think that there is enough of a change/refinement to keep things interesting while still staying true to their sound. The difference here is that this is a bit more chilled out and atmosphere oriented than Lost in the Dream and I think that gives it enough of its own identity that I'll come back to it equally in the future.

(Sorry, this turned into something of a rant.)

Album Rating: 4.0

I just find this less distinctive than the previous two - I wasn't bothered about experimentation or a change in approach, I like the band's aesthetic. Hence it won't drop lower than a 3.5.

Album Rating: 4.5

"This is basically just the last album again and wow am i very okay with that"



My sentiments exactly. Although there isn't an equivalent on this to Ocean Between the Waves which is slightly unfortunate.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

I've been up since the break of dawn

I lost my mind today

I'm at the sea, and I can hear the trains

Winds of change, so new

Blow right through me

Blowin' back through you

Then pull you into the light, yeah



God, this album just makes me feel so warm and fuzzy ~~

Album Rating: 3.5

This would be so much better if it was like ten minutes shorter

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

The most listenable version of this would end with Thinking of a Place but I think it's fine as it is and feels shorter than it is.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Nothing to Find is obnoxiously similar to Red Eyes in so many ways, and same with Knocked Down being reminiscent of Suffering. Lyrics can be great at times, but pretty simplistic also, kinda repeating the same ol' themes and ideas as before.

It's all executed very well, and I know the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" refute, but I just don't want to see this band follow the AC/DC route for the future.

Even though some of this missed the mark for me, nothing isn't enjoyable and I love at least half the tracks on here.

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah none of this is bad at all, but it's a bit samey compared to LITD and there's also quite a bit of oh man ANOTHER nearly 7 minute song? haha And Thinking Of A Place could be trimmed close to that length.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

what do you call it when you run around town randomly inserting the '&' symbol into street signs?





A Deeper Ampersanding..

Album Rating: 5.0

I'm sinking into warm butter.

This is not bad at all. gulp. Punk is dead.

In fact....I love it. Kill me now please.

Do the ones prior to this have the dire straits guitar and Dylan vox?

Album Rating: 4.0

They always sound the same yeah, Slave Ambient is more lo-fi and has the most out and out rockers and is just about my favourite. Close call though.

I'll definitely give it a go

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Glad you've come around to this zak! It really is a beaut if you let yourself get immersed in it.

Thinking of a place is a definite soty contender, and somehow the 11 minute runtime blows by. Otherwise i agree with mongi. Album's a little homogeneous. Settling on a 3.5

Also agreed with doof about slave ambient. Easy 5

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Slave Ambient is my least favorite of their last three by a pretty big margin actually. It's their most listenable but the songs don't strike as much of an emotional chord and I wish it had more actual songs instead of the instrumentals.

Are you kidding? Best night is their best song tbh. Very emotional imo. Granted there are a lot more hard rockers