Review Summary: The feelings aren't quite as hard as you'd expect, but the music does some justice to the concept.
Hard Feelings really needs no introduction. The title alone tells you its motivations before you even hit “play.” The album shows a shift in approach from their previous efforts. It’s less aggressive than
Hollow Bodies and
To Those Left Behind, in part due to the lesser range of input from bassist/harsh vocalist Jared Warth. Singer Beau Bokan is dominant on all but one song; that being “Cutthroat”, and due to the nasal quality to his singing, that can be seen as a detriment and may deter the listener. Jared plays such an insignificant role this time around that it’s no surprise that it’s been panned by listeners to the degree it has. However, is it really that atrocious?
Musically, apart from the decline in aggression and increased dominance by Beau Bokan, there isn't much different from their previous output. The inclusion of electronic elements sterilizes the release a tad and distracts the listener from the intended emotional impact; instead, it shifts the spotlight over to the utilization of said elements. One such moment is in opener “Wishful Sinking”, where the song has a bit of a seizure in the breakdown as if the file was corrupted in post-production, yet it somehow works. However, less sterile production could have potentially amplified the effect of songs like “Sleepless In Phoenix”, a song apparently written about Bokan’s father, or “Sakura Blues”, which seems to be about a close friend he either lost to suicide or was betrayed by. The writing on this album is generally satisfactory, but it may have had a more significant impact if performed in a more natural format. Beau’s vocals still carry the same spark they’ve always had, whether you like it or not. His domination of the mix can easily make the 37-minute runtime seem more lengthy as a result of his lack of a dynamic foundation. This leads to some songs blending into each other and sounding too one-dimensional. “Melodramatic” offers an overwhelmingly generic performance from everyone involved, and “Feeling Low” and “Find Yourself” are nearly indistinguishable from each other at times.
Thankfully, the second half of the album is stronger than the first, only being held back by the production. The aforementioned “Sleepless In Phoenix” is a gripping send-off to what seems to be a less-than-adequate father. “Sakura Blues”, as perplexing as the meaning may seem on the surface, can still relate to what many listeners have probably been through with close friends or family. “Welcome Home” is a heartfelt closer that details the struggle of a touring musician and just how difficult it is to say goodbye to your family before traversing the country, to the point of including a passage towards its conclusion where Beau’s daughter sings “it’s not living if I’m not living with you.” If
Hard Feelings had a greater supply of exemplary moments like the aforementioned, more intriguing songwriting, and superior production, it likely wouldn’t have worn off on me to the extent that it did. The album is competent enough, but it’s certainly a far cry from the “runner-up to the album of the year” position I placed it upon initial release.
Highlights: “Wishful Sinking”, “Sleepless In Phoenix”, “Sakura Blues”, and “Welcome Home.”
