Failure
Wild Type Droid


4.5
superb

Review

by shem USER (9 Reviews)
December 9th, 2021 | 153 replies


Release Date: 2021 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Failure with another success

Time to revisit those end of year lists quick, Failure are back with another grungy, alt-rock classic.

Failure’s sound has changed album to album somewhat, though they have all still maintained a few core elements and I’d say on this latest album they take the best of everything they’ve done and put it all in one place perfectly. They’ve also managed to sound like themselves with those huge low bass sounds, dissonant picked guitars and big grungy choruses and they did this without needing to throw in another set of ‘Segues’ which we’ve had on the last couple of albums following in the footsteps of their biggest critical success ‘Fantastic Planet’.

I personally felt like the last couple of albums felt like trying to recreate their lightening in a bottle moment, not necessarily in style but in the grandeur around them and with Segues breaking up sections whereas on this new album, they use different paced songs to break things up a bit and keep the album feeling fresh at all times.

The singles got me very excited for a return to form and are probably the two best stand alone tracks on the album. Headstand has a real Fantastic Planet vibe with that bassy rumble, dissonant guitar lead and a haunting vocal track and Submarines is the most straightforward rocker here that could even fit in back in their Magnified days. Whilst I think these are the standout tracks when played alone, there are loads of gems found elsewhere too.

The link between the singles, A Lifetime Of Joy, has a Radiohead feel, very open and delicate before a hard snare kicks back into the grunge of Submarines. Bring Back the Sound takes the trademark Failure picked guitar to a new level with some additional synth production and a vocal hook later on that makes it feel like Mastodon’s more mellow vibes. Long Division is also another track where the vocals feel a bit different. A vocal performance that feels very passionate and makes me think of The Killers over a track that feels almost like a Failure power ballad the way it builds up whilst being unmistakably, Failure.

Overall, I think this is their best album since Fantastic Planet, an unexpected late gem to end 2021!



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user ratings (216)
3.9
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
Shemson
December 9th 2021


4157 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Big album!

parksungjoon
December 9th 2021


47231 Comments


hm

Shemson
December 9th 2021


4157 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

It’s that good Park, opening tracks a bit underwhelming but it’s pushing it’s way into my end of year list

parksungjoon
December 9th 2021


47231 Comments


should try this band some day mayhap

Shemson
December 9th 2021


4157 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I think this is a really good starting place but their unquestionable best is Fantastic Planet, as long and deep as that album is

parksungjoon
December 9th 2021


47231 Comments


if i can enjoy sandinista i can make it through anything

kkarron
December 9th 2021


1518 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Fantastic Planet is super cool, even if the first two songs sound like slightly better Nirvana (which is a super low bar to clear). But it picks itself up real fast.

WalrusTusk
December 9th 2021


1837 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I did not expect "Half Moon" to change the way it did during the second half.

Gyromania
December 9th 2021


37377 Comments


Huge overrate, but they are one of the most overrated bands after all. I actually enjoyed this, thinking its their best

YoYoMancuso
Staff Reviewer
December 9th 2021


19235 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

good review boring album

DoofDoof
December 9th 2021


15737 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

band seem to attract people who say Nirvana are trash and then... they sound like a lifeless version and very average, but just not well known, wow selling point

nightbringer
December 9th 2021


2755 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Never listened to this band before but first spin of this was enjoyable. Loved the production.

Senetrix666
December 9th 2021


1653 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"failure is a lifeless version of nirvana" is probably the dumbest thing ive read online in awhile.

claygurnz
December 9th 2021


7658 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This band have become of my favourites over the past 18 months. Fantastic Planet is in my top 5 90's albums for sure.



This is already growing on me nicely. Long Division is excellent, one of the best songs they've done post-reunion imo.

DoofDoof
December 9th 2021


15737 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

"failure is a lifeless version of nirvana" is probably the dumbest thing ive read online in awhile.



well they're lifeless



and they sound a bit like Nirvana



but maybe 'a lifeless VERSION of Nirvana' was too strong

MrSirLordGentleman
December 9th 2021


15343 Comments


AOTY

Artwork of the year

claygurnz
December 9th 2021


7658 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I dunno Doof, I can agree they sounded a bit like Nirvana in the 90's but their last three albums don't give me that vibe at all.

DoofDoof
December 9th 2021


15737 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

This is their best artwork in a while I'll agree

bloc
December 9th 2021


70637 Comments


Never loved a FULL album from these guys, but the singles off this got me excited

deathofasalesman
December 9th 2021


8638 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

artwork is by the dude who became a multimillionaire off NFTs, beeple



this album is fantastic. final track resonates with me so well



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