Kay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Using a break in my day to give it a spin. On Timebomb... this song is a festering turd, fair play. Proper cheese. I like the fun instrumentation of it but it reeks of old AVA vibes and Tom's awful lyrics really don't help. HEY THERE LIL SAD GUUURL I REALLY WANNA HOLD YAAA YOUR HART IS LUIKE A DIEMONDDDDDD fucking abysmal haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iguessthisisgrowingup Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 a big chunk of the album didn't really work for me tbh. some of the songs feel oddly rushed? and even the ones i really like, like euphoria, sound a bit off here and there. kinda like the vocal melodies don't all fit the instrumentals kiss and tell is still a bop tho no more guns sucks that is all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 No More Guns is... confusing. I get the Green Day comparisons but it sounds more like Tom trying to replicate older tamer punk like the ramones or some shit, more with the 'oh ohs' (not successfully, obviously). Idk it's not my style, and seems a little odd, but nowhere near as bad as Timebomb and it's fun I guess? I would say it doesn't suit him but his voice sounds better on it than some of the others. I kind of appreciate the fact that, unlike old AvA albums, it doesn't sound all the fucking same. I appreciate them trying to differentiate a bit, even if it doesn't always work. That being said, I'm halfway through. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Alright, album as a full - 1. Timebomb | 2/10 | terrible. Sounds like older, bad AVA to me. 2. Euphoria | 8/10 | I love it. It's a grower but every time I listen to it, I love it. the 4 hit rhythm parts are wonderfully cathartic. lyrics aren't terrible, chorus slaps. love it all. 3. Spellbound | 7/10 | Love it too, has a mood to it I appreciate, slight dark wave feel. Some lame lyrics and the chorus takes time to grow on you but overall I'm a fan. Tom needs lower vocal range stuff more. 4. No More Guns | 4 / 10 | I don't hate it. It's not really for me but it's kind of fun to hear it from Tom and seems to suit his voice more. Probably not one I'll revisit often. 5. Losing My Mind | 6/10 | I'm not hot on this one because I don't like the chorus but I do like that it's a little different and the verses/pre choruses are quite fun and again, lovin' lower voice Tom. 6. Automatic | 6 / 10 | It's interesting, some very clear The Cure feels. Not the most exciting song but kind of nice, although Tom's voice kind of ruins it. 7. Restless Souls | 5/10 | This one is better than I remember. If you just ignore the chorus, it's pretty solid. The chorus really lets it down and just sounds like old AVA to me, but the verses are quite interesting. 8. Rebel Girl | 3/10 | Die in a fire. Seriously, This song doesn't improve with age. Stupid lyrics, bad vocals, stupid little synth lead part. just no. 9. A Fire In A Nameless Town | 7/10 | Has similar Spellbound vibes, like a slight 80s feel that I appreciate. I actually love Tom's voice on this one and the harmonies are really interesting. 10. Kiss and Tell | 8/10 | Still love it, tied with Euphoria for best for me. just works. Overall, better than I expected. I like that it embraces the metallic electronica feel more than just plastering wide synths on everything like old AVA used to. I thought as an album it'd sound kind of all over the place but actually it's kind of cohesive. My biggest issue is Tom's terrible lyrics and some tired old school AVA nods here and there that don't add anything. It's not something I'd seek out normally but I appreciate what they've done and I enjoy it. I just wish we hadn't heard most of it before release. I'd give it overall a 6.5/10 I'd say. Not an amazing record where all tracks need spinning but there's some good gems on here. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 did they remix kiss and tell and rebel girl? Kiss and Tell sounds much bigger than I remember 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 38 minutes ago, Kay said: No More Guns is... confusing. I get the Green Day comparisons but it sounds more like Tom trying to replicate older tamer punk like the ramones or some shit, more with the 'oh ohs' (not successfully, obviously). Idk it's not my style, and seems a little odd, but nowhere near as bad as Timebomb and it's fun I guess? I would say it doesn't suit him but his voice sounds better on it than some of the others. I kind of appreciate the fact that, unlike old AvA albums, it doesn't sound all the fucking same. I appreciate them trying to differentiate a bit, even if it doesn't always work. That being said, I'm halfway through. Being a Ramones fanatic I don't hear any similarities or an attempt at sounding like them or any other older punk band. It definitely sounds like new age Green Day though ... a little Adam and the Ants too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 14 minutes ago, Neal said: did they remix kiss and tell and rebel girl? Kiss and Tell sounds much bigger than I remember I believe that's the case, yeah. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Just now, Speedo said: Being a Ramones fanatic I don't hear any similarities or an attempt at sounding like them or any other older punk band. It definitely sounds like new age Green Day though ... a little Adam and the Ants too. Yeah I didn't think I meant Ramones either, but there's something about the ohohs that sounds really familiar and not GD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iguessthisisgrowingup Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 rebel girl had a little extra synth added to the verses i think. or maybe i just never noticed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 2 minutes ago, Kay said: Yeah I didn't think I meant Ramones either, but there's something about the ohohs that sounds really familiar and not GD. That was the Adam and the Ants influence I was referring to, at least that's what I hear. The 80's influence on Kiss and Tell and Automatic and the fact that Ghost on the Dance Floor was once in the vein of Goody Two Shoes makes me think that's what he's going for with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yodda Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 That opener is disappointing - I keep forgetting it's there Automatic was a surprising little tune - it's neat Cure worship - could have fit on Neighborhoods (it would suit Mark's voice). Everything else is fairly inoffensive with Euphoria and Kiss & Tell being the standouts. It sounds like Tom is having fun here. I wonder if I like modern Angels more than modern blink because Tom having fun sounds more authentic? The "fun" of Nine and California sounds calculated and insincere. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twentytwenty Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 36 minutes ago, Neal said: did they remix kiss and tell and rebel girl? Kiss and Tell sounds much bigger than I remember No, remastered only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 I put on the songs I've not heard before while going through my morning routine, nothing stood out. I'll give it another spin in earnest late and then probably never listen to it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twentytwenty Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 5 minutes ago, yodda said: That opener is disappointing - I keep forgetting it's there Automatic was a surprising little tune - it's neat Cure worship - could have fit on Neighborhoods (it would suit Mark's voice). Everything else is fairly inoffensive with Euphoria and Kiss & Tell being the standouts. It sounds like Tom is having fun here. I wonder if I like modern Angels more than modern blink because Tom having fun sounds more authentic? The "fun" of Nine and California sounds calculated and insincere. Disappointing af. Their weakest opener to date imo, however, the song is growing on me but as an opener it falls short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Kay said: Using a break in my day to give it a spin. On Timebomb... this song is a festering turd, fair play. Proper cheese. I like the fun instrumentation of it but it reeks of old AVA vibes and Tom's awful lyrics really don't help. HEY THERE LIL SAD GUUURL I REALLY WANNA HOLD YAAA YOUR HART IS LUIKE A DIEMONDDDDDD fucking abysmal haha "Your heart is like a timebomb." The lyrics are fine, pretty on par for Tom. It's not like he's ever been particularly brilliant lyrically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 2 hours ago, yodda said: Automatic was a surprising little tune - it's neat Cure worship Modern English - I'll Stop the World and Melt With You. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 33 minutes ago, Speedo said: "Your heart is like a timebomb." The lyrics are fine, pretty on par for Tom. It's not like he's ever been particularly brilliant lyrically. I swore blind that was diamond hahaha wow that's even worse. Tom having bad lyrics in the past doesn't excuse bad lyrics in the present. He should do better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 4 minutes ago, Kay said: I swore blind that was diamond hahaha wow that's even worse. Tom having bad lyrics in the past doesn't excuse bad lyrics in the present. He should do better. You can be a bit over critical when it comes to music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 I love 80's music so this record isn't too bad for me, I like it more than everything else outside of WDNTW. Still, there are some lame tracks and I'll probably not listen to it much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghent Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 No More Guns and Euphoria (especially Euphoria) are good. Fire in a Nameless Town is kind of interesting. Losing My Mind has good lyrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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