| | Full Review | Ratings (243) |
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| 0.0 | EVedder27 | December 14th 10 |
Quirky, melodic, and almost intoxicated in nature, Romance is Boring is one of 2010's most enjoyable releases.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | AggravatedYeti | March 13th 10 |
There was a time when the thought of Los Campesinos! would have sent me straight to the bathroom -- either to puke or to take a dump visually explaining my opinion of Garreth & co.'s bleak, asinine, above all annoying(ly voiced!) outlook on life. Those 2 days aside, Los Campesinos! have since proven those first inclinations wrong with a solid mix of glockspiel infused, string bevy, acid-tipped, hyper-literal indie rawk that is as infectious as it is funny/good/intelligent/honest/loveable. Over a mere 3 year span of life, LC! have released various EPs, 3 full length albums, toured the world a few times and even have seen the use(lessness) of mounds of critical praise, and backlash. But, in the end, what always mattered is that fact that really, they don't fucking care. The Campesinos were sincerely in it for themselves, and that we would listen, never mind dance around screaming their music like we couldn't do anything else better in our lives, was an added bonus. This first grouping of members will probably in years stand as an early era in an accomplished bands respected catalouge, but that's not to say there's nothing special about 'Romance Is Boring', furthermore, this specific Los Campesinos! While 'Youngster...' was pop savvy and fractured, and 'Beautiful' stronger, but still, in the end could not escape it's haphazard recording, and fissured sense, still feeling like an astounding collection of B-Sides by it's completion. 'Romance' finds the Campesinos! culminating everything they've done since their inception and throwing it together under one guise. Not a distaste for radio/modern living/douche bags, but the single thing none of them can fucking get over -- Love. Musically it sounds like the other LC! albums, but more focused, calmer, they play to their strength in pacing that made the breakneck speeds of their last 2 LPs endearing and fun, here is held down, almost hushed. You can feel the tension in the recording, not just concerning the record's content, but female lead vocalist Aleks Campesinos impending departure -- this is the sound of a band imploding upon itself, and finding a way to not only deal with that elephant in the room, but take it by the reigns. With nothing else to do, this group of Brits throw together yet another ramshackle collection of tracks that amount to an astoundingly repayable album. And for once, it all sounds cohesive. Garreth and Aleks finally seem comfortable speaking to one another via their microphones. Their best writing (which to begin with is hard to top, so stfu) is on display here, as well as musicianship, showcasing their talent with molding Twee and Punk legitimately, except now its honed, perfected to deliver that sugary jab at just the right moment. Many have stated that over the past few years watching this band grow up has been a pleasure. I wouldn't think I'm the first to say, but would like to reiterate wholeheartedly that personally, its been an immense pleasure to simply grow up with them.
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| 4.0 excellent | gofrosty | December 18th 18 |
It is definitely ridiculous and frequently abrasive. Yet because of this, more than in spite of it, this record is exceedingly colorful and consistently entertaining. It also somehow manages to find space in some of the slower tracks to be genuinely, emotionally striking. Favorite tracks: These Are Listed Buildings, Straight in at 101, and the closer (Coda...). Not a song I don't enjoy, though.
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| 2.0 poor | Naseki | November 25th 16 |
This rating might heavily change once I get to it. The first time listening to this album simply didn't sit well on me but I think it's because I barely listened, so it sounded like a cacophony of annoying vocals. I can't even tell whether I like this band or not! FAV TRACKS: I warned You: Do Not Make an Enemy Out of Me, Straight In At 101.
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| 4.5 superb | barcafan21 | September 20th 12 |
i think we need more post-coital and less post-rock, feels like the buildup takes forever, but you never touch my cock
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| 5.0 classic | Knott- EMERITUS | December 18th 10 |
Every single moment of Romance Is Boring is designed exclusively to alleviate the single most awkward aural experience of the year 2010. The kitchen-sink arrangements, the phenomenally irritating melodies, the sincere/witty dichotomy of the lyrics, the fidgety and adrenaline-packed ideas, the uncomfortable truths; Los Campesinos are a band that love to hate themselves, fucked up and flawed and beautiful and doomed and never ever ever boring. The abandon the band demonstrate is just the same as before; the ambition, though, presents them in a new, raw light, showcasing a stunning array of talents and eventually, somehow, GOD knows how, justifying the moment when Gareth Campesinos! says, "you never touch my cock!" Messy, self-involved and abrasive; special.
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| 3.5 great | BeeRyan | September 3rd 24 |
| 3.5 great | Raqinq | September 25th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Asthurse | November 27th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | jimbo | October 21st 17 |
| 2.5 average | Brandon | September 9th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Kryne7 | February 24th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Tom R. EMERITUS | October 21st 15 |
| 3.5 great | boab92 | June 23rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bokonon | April 20th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | krka | March 5th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Lettuce | February 4th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Tusseto | January 22nd 14 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | December 26th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Meruem | October 25th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Matski | October 20th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Rail | January 5th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | John L | November 20th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | Yay | October 13th 12 |
| 3.5 great | cjo | September 3rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | sattyre | April 22nd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Feels | March 21st 12 |
| 3.5 great | Naps | December 8th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Nikkolae | November 22nd 11 |
| 2.5 average | Aids | November 21st 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Meln | November 16th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | RIB1995 | November 15th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | reaeper | April 28th 11 |
| 3.5 great | DaveyBoy EMERITUS | February 8th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Hacknet | January 31st 11 |
| 4.5 superb | PieRye | January 19th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mallen- | January 15th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | hesperus | December 28th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Yotimi | December 13th 10 |
| 3.0 good | cvlts | December 1st 10 |
| 3.5 great | JWT155 | November 5th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | alt | October 16th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sblang | September 1st 10 |
| 3.5 great | Ayon | June 29th 10 |
| 3.5 great | puni | June 16th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ramos29 | April 7th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Splash | February 28th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | quik40 | February 25th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | barns | February 15th 10 |
| 3.5 great | shade | February 14th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | soundsof | February 12th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | astrel | February 8th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Rudy K. EMERITUS | January 26th 10 |
| 3.5 great | TheDMV | January 26th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Kiran EMERITUS | January 16th 10 |
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