This is more likely how I feel. Amazing album.
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CHVRCHES- Every Open Eye |OT| Clearest Blue
- Thread starter ryseing
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This is more likely how I feel. Amazing album.
Nameless
Member
Pro tip: Take the Special Edition and remove Martin's songs. Congratulations you've unlocked the Definitive Edition. It fittingly ends with "Back Down" which I can totally envision playing during the credits of a number of 80s movie. Incredible song.
Extremely impressed by Lauren's overall growth as a musician. She's improved as a writer, her
melodies are more complex and dynamic, and she just comes across as a stronger, more confident vocalist which shines through on pretty much every track. Can't wait to hear what she does going forward, with and without Chvrches.
Anyway, After 5 straight listens over the weekend this is definitely my AOTY so far.
Extremely impressed by Lauren's overall growth as a musician. She's improved as a writer, her
melodies are more complex and dynamic, and she just comes across as a stronger, more confident vocalist which shines through on pretty much every track. Can't wait to hear what she does going forward, with and without Chvrches.
Anyway, After 5 straight listens over the weekend this is definitely my AOTY so far.
It's also available in the USA from a Target exclusive. I had a friend pick me one up on the weekend since I'm in Canada.
I think I'd put Martin at +1 / -1 for this album, and even just slightly on the minus. I do have a problem with how I want to sequence the album with the SE because I think it should end on Afterglow. I'm tempted to move the bonus tracks to the front of the order somewhere because I don't think Never Ending Circles was a great choice to start the CD.
Nameless
Member
It's not even that I really dislike "High Enough to Carry You Over" , it's just a major momentum killer/combo breaker and I think the album plays better going from "Clearest Blue" to "Empty Threat".
I had same thought originally about "Afterglow", but liked how everything flowered with "Back Down" closing the record.
It is not exclusive to Amazon in Germany, see e.g. Google Play or iTunes. That said, VPN maybe?
WadiumArcadium
Member
It's definitely a grower. As a few of you have said it doesn't as many instant hits but as a whole it's really great.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Surprisingly good so far. Haven't listened to the entire album, got distracted at lunch, but it's definitely much better than I anticipated.
vainglorious
Member
Down Side of Me is the stand out track for me. Phenomenal stuff.
Nice
Found out this morning I can't listen to track 8, Downside of me, in the car, there is some percussion that sounds exactly like my indicators!
chris121580
Member
I will be shocked if a better album comes out this year. This feels like a masterpiece to me with zero missteps. Absolutely love it. I never thought they could top their debut
So an interesting thing I have noticed. Looking at metacritic, the views or comments of the lead singer have had a similar sort of backlash as we have seen in Gamergate and other such mob attacks on individuals based on user reviews.
Just thought I would mention it. So far I really enjoy the album. I need to give it several more listens. Lyrically it seems a little more pedestrian but musically maybe a bit better. Either way I am having fun with it.
Just thought I would mention it. So far I really enjoy the album. I need to give it several more listens. Lyrically it seems a little more pedestrian but musically maybe a bit better. Either way I am having fun with it.
Monocle
Member
Better than Clearest Blue and Keep You On My Side? Crazy talk.
There is a fair bit of history behind it.
As she is a feminist, and has been upstanding about misogynistic abuse of woman online, it has attracted more.
It's a real sad spotlight on some of the sad individuals that populate the internet, some nasty people about.
Went to the show in Philly last night and they were awesome! Really great energy, cool light setups, and Lauren was funny when talking between songs. "Clearest Blue" was my favorite of the live performances last night. Tried to take some pics, but with all the lights and stuff they have during the performance it was kind of tough and my phone is pretty old so doesn't have the best camera. Here are a few that came out okay.
Anyway, it was really fun. Definitely worth seeing if you have the chance.
Anyway, it was really fun. Definitely worth seeing if you have the chance.
VisitableElf
Member
Seeing them on Sunday night in Toronto. Cant wait!
Lauren refuses to go the normal pop singer route, which I totally respect. She doesn't take misogynist shit from anyone.
She has a master's in journalism and is smart as a whip, so she knows what she's talking about. Her piece in The Guardian is great.
Yeah I read it. In this day and age I would not even want to engage with an online community, but she is super brave to attempt it. A lot of dark hateful people.
Anyway after a few more listens, the first half of the album is good, but I love the second half. And the special edition tracks Get Away and Follow You are among my favorites, and coming after Afterglow that is as strong of a three song combo as I have ever heard. Great stuff. Odd that two of those songs did not make it.
Get Away is very similar to a Lorde track though. I thought it was a cover when I first heard it. but no it goes off in its own way. But I think it would be an amazing single, but it is super Lorde.
kitchenmotors
Banned
Man, I'm just not feeling it at all. It's just so generic and boring to me.
I was a huge stan of the EP and their debut LP. Probably the biggest Chvrches stan on these boards but this album just does nothing for me. it leaves me emotionally empty while listening, which is the opposite of The Bones of What You Believe did to me.
It also doesn't help that the pop game is really strong this year.
I was a huge stan of the EP and their debut LP. Probably the biggest Chvrches stan on these boards but this album just does nothing for me. it leaves me emotionally empty while listening, which is the opposite of The Bones of What You Believe did to me.
It also doesn't help that the pop game is really strong this year.
blue_phazon
Member
I'm the opposite. I didn't like it at first but I'm liking it more with every listen
Hey I was there too! She was indeed amazing. The best was when some douche threw his jock strap on stage.
We had an amazing time. They indeed blew the doors off.
After a week of listening, this is a strong contender for Album of The Year for me. The debut album didn't live up to the hype at all but this has gotten me hooked. If they keep up this level of quality I'm quite happy to start my 'canon' chronology from here. Great stuff all around.
BronsonLee
Member
I was at the Philly show too. GODDAMN. That light set/stage got even better than the last time at Union Transfer. Love that shit.
Mookie1515
Member
Seems to've removed some of the fun Scottish pronunciations she had in the first album. But overall, its a major improvement for sure. Loving this album something fierce.
Bear Force One
Banned
Easily in the Top Tier of all albums this year. Just got off a bender of listening to their vids and live stuff and covers on Youtube.
Amazing band.
Amazing band.
SaganIsGOAT
Junior Member
Down Side of Me is by far my favorite song. The lyrics, "You're not the same, not the same" with the amazing beat speak to me on a spiritual level. Love this song 😻🙌🙏
StormBrute
Member
This is my first time listening to this band, and I'm really loving them so far.
One thing is I was reading that there are retailer exclusive bonus tracks and stuff. Is there a way to get a version with all of those?
One thing is I was reading that there are retailer exclusive bonus tracks and stuff. Is there a way to get a version with all of those?
Monocle
Member
The closest thing would be the Target edition.
Here are the bonus tracks:
12. "Up in Arms"
13. "Get Away"
14. "Follow You"
15. "Bow Down"
16. "Leave a Trace" (Live at Pitchfork Music Festival)
17. "Clearest Blue" (Live at Pitchfork Music Festival)
Wikipedia lists what you get with the various editions.
AHA-Lambda
Member
Haven't even got to hear it! There seems to be no (legal) way to get it in the UK, it's totally fucking stupid >_>
They're from Glasgow FFS!
paradox121
Member
I know retailer exclusive stuff probably has absolutely nothing to do with the band themselves and is all just marketing crap but man does it suck.
To me at least its way worse that game preorder/retailer exclusive things because most of the time they tend to be throwaway stuff that is just a nice little extra that doesn't really affect the core game. Extra songs is a pretty huge thing, particularly considering this is a band with a real high hit-miss ratio. And as Lambda says, being from the UK means I literally can't get them legally :/
To me at least its way worse that game preorder/retailer exclusive things because most of the time they tend to be throwaway stuff that is just a nice little extra that doesn't really affect the core game. Extra songs is a pretty huge thing, particularly considering this is a band with a real high hit-miss ratio. And as Lambda says, being from the UK means I literally can't get them legally :/
Spotify has three of the bonus tracks. No live stuff unfortunately.
BronsonLee
Member
The CD is on Amazon for like 9 bucks, and comes with the MP3 version of the Special Edition for free. Jumped on that shit immediately.
Bow Down is AMAZING. Might be my favorite Chvrches track now. Keep You On My Side, Make Them Gold, Clearest Blue, and Playing Dead are damn, damn good too.
Bow Down is AMAZING. Might be my favorite Chvrches track now. Keep You On My Side, Make Them Gold, Clearest Blue, and Playing Dead are damn, damn good too.
You're entitled to your opinion.
Even though it's wrong, very, very wrong........
This is how I also feel. I live in South Africa. I have no legitimate ways to get the Target copy of this release! Humbug!
Bear Force One
Banned
The very last qualities I'd attribute to CHVRCHES are generic and boring.
WadiumArcadium
Member
Agreed.
Monocle
Member
Yep.
The Mother We Share though.
Half of The Bones of What You Believe though.
But yeah, it's good.
WadiumArcadium
Member
Yeah, probably my favourite at the mo.
Vampire On Titus
Member
Just listened a couple times. Solid & enjoyable album. Very similar to the first but a bit less memorable. I'm fine with that for now.
Inferno313
Banned
Keep listening. It's a hell of a grower. I felt that way at first but now it's one of those rare albums where I think every single song is fantastic.
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