Boston Manor
Welcome to the Neighbourhood


4.0
excellent

Review

by chris. USER (51 Reviews)
September 7th, 2018 | 42 replies


Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: I’ve let go and it never felt so good.

“Give me something to prove”

It’s evident Boston Manor doesn’t want to be stuck doing things one way. Be Nothing, released two years ago, presented a fuller and softer sound away from that of their EPs. For a debut album, it was good. It had hooks. It had good writing. It had good production. I once wrote that, while not revolutionary, the band had potential to be something huge. That was two years ago. Now?

Welcome To The Neighbourhood takes a dump on Be Nothing.

Welcome To The Neighbourhood's ambition swallows everything the band has ever put out before this. It’s a dark and real take on their sleazy, dirty hometown of Blackpool. Boston Manor goes all out here, bringing in the synths, the soundscapes, the varied and dark guitar tones. It’s a far cry from the pop punk stylings of Laika and Burn You Up. Here, the band is subdued and confident. Vocalist Henry Cox pulls off the huge choruses and vocal melodies with such a swagger that helps add to the image of the vulturous attitude of Blackpool. The songs on display here distance themselves from the common definition of pop punk by at least a couple miles. “England’s Dreaming” is a huge, blurry account of walking down Blackpool’s streets, complete with a thick guitar riff and anthemic chorus. “Halo” is a gritty look at the heroin addiction that plagues the town, as well as a commentary on addiction globally. Boston Manor goes down a different path each song, opting for dark synths galore on one and haunting acoustic guitar on another. What results is a complete vision, more in depth than anything the band has ever attempted before. This is Boston Manor realizing their potential in the best possible way.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
McTime50
September 7th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"We were joking when we recorded the record that we were snowed in for two weeks and we couldn’t leave. Everywhere was knee deep in snow. Meanwhile Trophy Eyes were recording in Thailand on the beach and we were joking that if you listen to both albums they both are very indicative of their environments.”



from an interview of the band.

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
September 7th 2018


5450 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

great review. really loving this album's atmosphere, only problem i have is the repetitive nature of some of the choruses.

McTime50
September 7th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i actually did notice that a little bit

Snake.
September 7th 2018


25249 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

uhhh

McTime50
September 7th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

damn, that bad huh?

Lucman
September 7th 2018


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

If Panic at the Disco had a bit more punch. Can't say I'm finding much to enjoy so far.

McTime50
September 7th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I thought this sounded way more serious than a panic at the disco release

dmp3131
September 7th 2018


1361 Comments


I think if anything this has a Twenty-One Pilots kind of vibe, but that's not a bad thing in this case. Thought half of this was really good, and the other kinda meh. Will have to go back though to really tell how I feel about it.

The 3 singles though they released are lights out.

Lucman
September 7th 2018


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I thought this sounded way more serious than a panic at the disco release



It's better than anything they have done, I will give them that, but the vocalist sounds so much like Brandon Urie that I almost refuse to believe it isn't him. It's kinda average for me overall, though.

NordicMindset
September 8th 2018


25137 Comments


Mike Sapone produced this, which makes me want to give it a shot. Whenever I see his name as a producer I just assume it's going to have Brand New vibes.

Storm In A Teacup
September 8th 2018


45694 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The three singles were outstanding. Shout out to their single Drowned In Gold that didnt make it on the album.

Soupy
September 8th 2018


46 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I don't think it's as good as Be Nothing if I'm honest. I've got no problem with them going away from the pop punk sound, I think a lot of bands have done that really well in recent years. I just don't think this is all that great really, a handful of stand-out tracks but the rest is just kind of "meh" for me. It's a lot better than the sort of thing You Me At Six have been churning out in the last few years, but to my taste on first listen I'm pretty underwhelmed by it given the high praise I saw for it and how much I digged the last album and Halo.

Tranqyl
September 9th 2018


472 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I definitely enjoyed this album, and I think in some ways it's a progression, but the general sound felt a little like they were just following this recent alt-rock trend that some emo-ish bands have been edging towards.

JayEnder
September 9th 2018


19768 Comments


This album sounds like Brand New and Arctic Monkeys had sex and I don’t really care for it.

Lucman
September 9th 2018


5537 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I'll revisit it a couple more times to see if it grows but so far it ain't happin.

onionbubs
September 9th 2018


20696 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

this is pretty bad so far

McTime50
September 9th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

:-( it’s good :-(

CompostCompote
September 9th 2018


1022 Comments


Band name sounds like a Downton Abbey-esque show where everyone just walks around yelling Are You a Cawp?!

McTime50
September 9th 2018


1021 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

how are you planning to celebrate 1000 comments

CompostCompote
September 9th 2018


1022 Comments


Saying something so horrid, I will get banned for all of history.



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