| | Full Review | Ratings (655) |
Give your Rating |
| 5.0 classic | Iluvatar | March 13th 09 |
The most focused Trophy Scars outing yet (EP or otherwise), epic in scope yet smooth and incredibly listenable, "Bad Luck" shows the band treading into a slower groove, and creating more noteworthy "crescendos". While "Anna Lucia" is the most obvious standout, the trio of songs "Toronto", "Nola", and "Years so Much" (All six minutes plus) are excellent forays in odd song structures and musical and lyrcial tones. Straight off from "Bad Dreams" through "Good Luck", "Bad Luck" is the culmination of what one small punk band from Jersey can do with enough time and vision.rWhich is to say, a lot.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | auxilia | September 10th 15 |
I know I shouldn't be giving this a 5 but music is objective and fuck you I love this album.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | SticksmanTheBored | May 11th 14 |
Bad Luck shows Trophy Scars embracing newer elements to their soundscape.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Hospital | August 31st 12 |
Where trophy scars began to go down a new, far more experimental path. I have to respect this band for taking post hardcore and doing groundbreaking things with it, instead of the same ol' stale shit that most of their contenders seem satisfied releasing over and over.rEasily another classic.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | VacantTool | June 23rd 12 |
Something different yet again. Songs like Bad Dreams and Nola take this album to wonderful places!
Bump |
| 0.0 | wcatdoor | April 10th 12 |
After hearing the bonus song, goes up to a 5 for me
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| 4.0 excellent | NeutralThunder12 | February 1st 12 |
Musically this is the best and most coherent Trophy Scars LP. The only problem is Jerry gets a little annoying after a while, and usually I love him unconditionally but he does the intense Tom Waits bluesy deep voice thing too often. He varies it nicely with screams sometimes, and the whole bluesy vibe is something Trophy Scars toyed with in the past and decided to fully embrace on this. It's a colorful, varied listen only bogged down by too much Tom Waits-ish Jerry vocals and a few too many slow sections that pop up and sound too familiar all over the album, making it sound more samey than it actually is. But besides that, its gold, and beautifully put together.
Bump |
| 0.0 | chambered89 | November 11th 11 |
The pinnacle of Trophy Scars' career, a dynamic and lyrically engrossing album that is as layered as it is passionate. Essential.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | DonkeyPunchin88 | November 11th 11 |
Damn, it's been a while since I heard an album this good.
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| 4.0 excellent | guitarmyboots | August 17th 11 |
Fell in love with Trophy Scars when I first heard em, and I do all over again with Bad Luck and will everytime as long as they keep makin music that ear-rapes without protection ;D
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | withloveuhoh | August 17th 11 |
Pushed the wrong rating. It was the cd that rejuvenated my faith in original music.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | transatlanticfoe | July 21st 11 |
Some really good songs, and the sorta noir storytelling style is cool. Vocals are hilariously bad at times though, or the lyrics. YOUR SECRET'S SAFE MAN, I DON'T GIVE A FUCK
Bump |
| 3.5 great | VirInvictus | December 30th 10 |
Took awhile to grow on me, but it did it's job and now I'm really lovin' this.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | HaloDude442 | April 23rd 09 |
Amazing. And I thought Hospital Music would never be touched or come close to by them. Bravo Trophy Scars, this is the album of a band that is in it for the music, not for the scene or money. A masterpiece, but only short of a classic because I still believe Trophy Scars can put out an even better album if they could go from Alphabets to this piece of musical bliss.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | wildu49 | April 20th 09 |
"Geneva", "Toronto", and "Nola" are masterpieces. Genius.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | fractured | March 26th 09 |
I am quite happy with this album. Some of the most fleshed out narrative lyrics I've heard in awhile. But I understand Greer's frustration in the sophomoric tendencies. They have a great flow going and the lyrics are inspired, and then the singer throws in some 15 year-old line that makes you say wtf. I've always liked a band that doesn't take itself too seriously, so I don't mind this. But I can see how a critic who wants a cohesive piece of work would fault it. I really like how the drummer plays almost every possible variation of 6/8 as well, but that's kind of a nerdy thing.
Oh and win for the blues guitars and horns :-)
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | WoodLawn | March 13th 09 |
On Bad Luck, Trophy Scars seem to have dumped almost everything that once associated them with "standard" post-hardcore. There are no generic breakdowns (like in "No"), no catchy simplistic octave chord sections (like in "Assistants"), and no pure "screaming sections" (like in Lesson 3 and many others), and in their place lies something beautiful, organic and completely original. To put it bluntly, Trophy Scars have grown up.
The first thing I noticed was the change in vocals. Jerry's love for Tom Waits is very evident here; his vocals sound downright filthy and grimy. A.J. had been dropped from the lineup, making room for two more guitarists/pianists, Adam Moutafis and Josh Wiseman (both ex-Maverick I believe), making for a grand total of three guitarists. Piano is present throughout the entire album, and horns, strings, and saxophone all make appearances as well. These ingredients coalesce into an extremely thick, multi-layered, complex sound, with "bluesy" lead guitar played over pretty much everything. The result is just gorgeous, and it all seems organic; nothing sounds tacked on (even the saxophone solos).
Because of the sheer thickness of the sound on this record, this is a pretty complex album that might be inaccessible to many in the traditional post-hardcore scene. However, I can't remember a recent release that I have been so attached to. So do yourself a favour and buy it now. Don't just download it; they almost broke up over money problems before, let's not let it happen again. No worries though, you won't regret forking over $12 for an album of this caliber.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | PatchworkNeurology | March 13th 09 |
With "Bad Luck" Trophy Scars bring about a concept becides using A's and being very ambiguous about it's meaning.
"Bad Luck" has many differnet styles used on it, also many different insturments. Piano is now fully played in just about every song, and at times they just don't sound like the Trophy Scars I grew up with. Jer's voice is very gruff in this album and he screams less than before.
But does that make this bad?
Naa
Listen to it and decide for yourself.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Emo | April 6th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | Khaini | June 8th 23 |
| 4.5 superb | iGuter | December 9th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | 0range | July 17th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ecotone | December 16th 21 |
| 5.0 classic | WillOTG | December 13th 21 |
| 2.0 poor | Piglet | October 30th 21 |
| 5.0 classic | ftdiwr | October 26th 21 |
| 3.5 great | Gillie | October 1st 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Lassie | September 14th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | mallen- | September 13th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | xlev | September 10th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | Oobaloo | September 10th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bilco | March 27th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Shamzus | December 9th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Skiiddz | September 27th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | bSmith | August 31st 20 |
| 3.5 great | shira | July 14th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sowing STAFF | June 15th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Jerbzz | January 19th 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | thawey | January 2nd 20 |
| 3.5 great | Kakz | October 1st 19 |
| 3.0 good | josh | June 10th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Josh | May 31st 19 |
| 3.5 great | Josh | April 5th 19 |
| 3.5 great | crab | January 29th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | c0ffee | August 2nd 18 |
| 3.0 good | bmelt CONTRIBUTOR | September 10th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Toms | July 26th 17 |
| 3.5 great | sjurd | April 26th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | furpa | February 20th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Corney | February 16th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | El Olam | December 29th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Pangea | October 15th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | rc239 | June 7th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | ellagos | March 7th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Helsabot | November 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | sheep | June 3rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | gujubuu | April 29th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | JS19 | March 30th 15 |
| 3.0 good | seifer | March 12th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | lerem | February 12th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Chin | January 13th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Crawl | December 20th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | tenny | October 25th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | tyler | October 12th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rowan5215 STAFF | October 2nd 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Darren01 | September 2nd 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | tancrni | August 26th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | TayBad | July 5th 14 |
| 3.5 great | sevhar | June 22nd 14 |
| 3.5 great | Nrap | June 1st 14 |
| 2.5 average | PIC46 | May 19th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | dre517 | May 2nd 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Landen | April 19th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | AlexSan | April 17th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Thibs | April 14th 14 |
| 3.0 good | Wadlez | March 28th 14 |
| 3.0 good | ti0n | March 28th 14 |
| 3.0 good | NBA | March 18th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Curse. | March 7th 14 |
| 2.5 average | adr | February 23rd 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Jerbz | February 11th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | pumi | December 24th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Geodude | December 7th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | djunior | October 21st 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Epeich | October 3rd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | rooby | October 3rd 13 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | October 2nd 13 |
| 3.5 great | llll | September 4th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cloud6 | August 11th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ulshad | July 3rd 13 |
| 5.0 classic | mybeard | December 10th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Strider | October 15th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Winrar | October 12th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Surette | October 4th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | JAXETA | August 25th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Felix89 | July 23rd 12 |
| 4.5 superb | AW11 | July 17th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | esther | June 21st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Fadem | May 17th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Feels | May 9th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | kanker | April 29th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | DRWND | April 25th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | ILJ | April 23rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | cb123 | April 23rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | jg777 | April 10th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | xevman | March 21st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | paxman | February 28th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | MattK | February 27th 12 |
| 3.5 great | dre458 | February 26th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | dragon01 | February 22nd 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Saobady | February 8th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | iglu | January 30th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rowdy | January 21st 12 |
| 4.5 superb | dj2992 | January 14th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Creed | December 11th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Naps | December 8th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cerbyrus | November 20th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Widower | September 30th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Titan50 | September 26th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | tmccoy | September 18th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | Eswin17 | September 16th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gunnar | September 7th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | lachis | August 20th 11 |
| 3.0 good | sharmz | August 10th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Darb | July 27th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aikibat | July 23rd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Blakout | July 19th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | atrink | June 2nd 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Dev518 | May 23rd 11 |
| 3.5 great | Narshh | April 11th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | dnor | March 23rd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mfp | February 14th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | koshnov | January 27th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | ess | January 7th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Janson | December 9th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Hep Kat | November 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | wachooo | November 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | perlox | November 13th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | shindip | November 11th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | BlueW | October 30th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | klaz | October 29th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Goku | October 22nd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aids | October 11th 10 |
| 3.0 good | JWT155 | October 9th 10 |
| 3.0 good | Ben H | September 17th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Veldin | August 7th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Dave28 | June 27th 10 |
| 3.0 good | lakku | May 20th 10 |
| 1.5 very poor | kitsch | April 26th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Manic_ | April 10th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | shade | February 21st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | fcmogul | January 30th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | chaos17 | January 12th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Lelle | December 17th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | chethc | October 8th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | d00derz | September 11th 09 |
| 3.5 great | blabony | September 1st 09 |
| 4.5 superb | DaTwig | August 17th 09 |
| 2.0 poor | lobby | July 26th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | f2f | June 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ryce | May 11th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | 13923 | May 10th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Msuen | May 7th 09 |
| 2.0 poor | ziroth | April 30th 09 |
| 3.5 great | flaffy | April 19th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Damrod EMERITUS | April 19th 09 |
| 3.0 good | roofi | April 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | zack16 | March 29th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | astrel | March 25th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | t4n2004 | March 25th 09 |
| 3.5 great | mkCII | March 23rd 09 |
| 3.0 good | Mikesn EMERITUS | March 21st 09 |
| 3.0 good | natey | March 19th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | armfarm | March 18th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | IsItLuck? EMERITUS | March 18th 09 |
| 3.5 great | 204409 EMERITUS | March 18th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Kodan | March 13th 09 |
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