This first impression was originally posted as a live blog for supporters in our forums on January 9th, 2017. First impressions are meant to be quick, fun, initial impressions on an album or release as I listen to it for the first time. It’s a running commentary written while listening to an album — not a review. More like a diary of thoughts. This post has been lightly edited for structure and flow.
Finally!
I’m been embargoed on this sucker for what feels like forever and been aching to talk about it. And, with the last few weeks being a big move to get Chorus set up to work better with a version system (cleaning up my Git workflow and deployment) and working on a new Supporter Page (streamlining and creating a much better page for those that don’t wanna be a forum member to sign up), I’ve been itching to talk about music again. Always a needed distraction from some of the horrors going on basically everywhere else these days.
So, things are crossed off the ‘ol todolist and I’m ready to dive into what is sure to be a favorite of 2017.
Tonight’s beer of choice is a “Believer” Double Red ale from Ninkasi.
(As always, my thoughts on this album may change, this isn’t really a review as much as it is me going through the album with a beer and typing up some thoughts on the whole thing as I listen. Feel free to jump in with questions at any time.)
8:15pmDisclaimer: I really like this band.
20’s (Telling Lies)
8:22pmWhat a fantastic way to start an album. I’m really big on sequencing and on album openers and think they can set the tone for an entire listen, and when this one opens with: “Oh yeah, oh yeah, everything is terrible, buying marijuana makes you feel like a criminal” I couldn’t stop smiling. This is an album that takes what I think are the best parts of The Menzingers and unleashes them. It’s catchy and yet the songs tell stories in the most surprising way. To me, it’s the kind of album I would have loved to play in college and high-school for people, or around people, because I would know that 1) Most of them are going to like it, and 2) no one is going to know who it is. I used to get off on that kinda thing. And this would have been a perfect album for just that.
This song has a nice little sing-a-long feel and is right there in the wheelhouse of the tone and style of the album. I’d call it on the edge of mid-tempo. It picks up, but never feels like it’s getting ahead of itself. The album itself I find a masterclass in just writing good songs. There’s cool guitar parts, some good tempos, some interesting melodies, but it’s the songwriting and how even the simplest things can become so perfectly placed where the full package really shines.
“Where are we gonna go now that our 20’s are over?”
8:24pmBasically the theme of everyone I know here in my 30s. And the chorus where the vocals double up is brilliant.
8:28pmIt may be my favorite opener from the band. I get excited to listen to the album every single time I start this one, and when you hit the bridge with lines like:
“Like tension you can cut with a knife, like a wedding ring that never fit right, like a car alarm that won’t stop howling, a decade lost in the motions.”
I can only just laugh and get a little annoyed at how good these guys are at what they do. It’s the kinda song, the kind of album, that makes me want to believe everything is going to be ok, through the bullshit, through the times when life feels like it’s never going to fit like the puzzle you have in your head, it’s the kinda music that gives you the courage to push forward for one more day.
Thick as Thieves
8:31pmSo this one has a really big anthem chorus and it took me a little while to get into it. Knowing “Lookers” follows it led to a lot of early listens with me wanting to move on too soon. I’ve come to enjoy this song, but it’s not one of my favorites
8:32pmI don’t have the lyrics, but there’s some good stuff here that I really want to dive into when I can tell exactly what’s said.
Good bridge.
Lookers
8:33pmSong of the year contender pretty early on for me. It’s one of my favorite Menzingers songs ever already.
8:34pmAfter every listen I get the urge to hit replay. I love how they let this one breathe. It’s got enough space to be exactly what it needs to be. Not too fast, not too slow.
Midwestern States
8:41pmOn my first listen this was what I would have called my favorite song (now I think it’s maybe third, after “Lookers” and “Black Mass”). It’s all about the lyrics for me here. The first time that chorus starts, “you said LA’s only two days if we drive straight…” and I’ve just got this thing for driving songs. I’ve got this thing for rhyming LA and driving and it’s just always been a thing for me.
8:43pmThere’s no way I won’t find an excuse to drive down the highway with this blaring this summer. This album feels built for a sunny day and pushing the limits of your speakers.
Charlie’s Army
8:46pmThis one took a minute or two to grow on me. I think it’s because I’ve heard that little melody before, but I’ve come to really love the way they use it, and it’s become a highlight for me even if the chorus still isn’t my favorite.
“Tell your man I ain’t afraid to die if loving Julie is a capital crime.”
8:47pmJulie the new Mary?
House on Fire
8:50pmThis is a hard one for me to define, it’s mid-tempo and I find myself trying to make out the lyrics through it. The chorus gets a little repetitive for me, but it’s got a cool little guitar line in it.
8:51pmThe cat wants me to feed her and is mad I am live blogging music.
“Waiting for your life to start and then you die.”
Super uplifting. Heh.
8:52pmI’m anti-fade out on songs for the record.
Black Mass
8:55pmThis one definitely has a little bit of a different vibe to it, but, it clocks in at only 3 minutes and I wish the entire time it would go for like 7. I love this song. I love this song so much it makes the entire album for me, it’s just got this groove to it that fits so perfectly in the middle of the album and makes me feel things. And it’s a perfect example of how a well written and structured song can take something relatively simple and elevate it to new heights.
“But, hey, do you really wanna throw it away? Do you really wanna throw it away? … I’d do anything to make you stay.”
8:56pmJust one of those refrains that is so deceptively simple and yet so hauntingly poignant. It’s all in the delivery with a line like that, and it’s performed perfectly.
Cobra (Boy Blue)
9:00pmFangs out! Cobra Starship cover!
Heh. Remember that band?
This one fits in with “Thick as Thieves” for me. It’s catchy and has some stuff I really like (the chorus for example), but it’s not my favorite. I think like some Gaslight Anthem albums have songs that get overlooked because of the highs, this may be the same. It’s a good song, but it’s overshadowed by the rest of the record.
9:01pm(I haven’t listened to Gaslight in a while, I should do that again. Miss those albums. I don’t think Menzingers and TGA are as similar as some people, but I do get a similar vibe from the bands. A little bit of that working collar Springsteen-esqe tone to the writing.)
Bad Catholics
9:02pmI’m guessing most people have heard this one as well. I think that little intro riff thing is overplayed. Too many bands do it, but beside that, I think this is a really good song. The lyrics here set it all apart. And the delivery that edges on a gravel/yell.
Wings (Your Wild Years)
9:08pmI think this is around where I realized I’ll end up liking this album at least as much as Rented World (which I maintain is underrated). Cause it’s about here where there’s enough “oh yeah that’s good” songs where no matter what else happens, or how much I could nitpick little things, I’ve surpassed the minimum requirement I need to really like an album. It’s there, I’ve done it. So now we’re just playing with house money, and the band goes in and finishes strong.
I’d put this on a mixtape. It’s catchy and has some really great moments.
“You’re the kinda girl that deserves the world, I’m just the kinda guy that promises the world” is not a line that should work as well as it does, but every time I hear it I nod with a knowing wink.
“A little Irish in your blood, a little Polish in your name, a little Boston in your attitude, just the way you were raised.”
No way that’s not screamed along live.
9:09pmNot sure many bands can paint a picture and tell a story as well as The Menzingers at their best. You could end the album now and I’d say it’s a great one.
Bars
9:11pmSlow, building intro. A little muddy in the production. This one has a very bar sing-a-long feel to it. I could almost hear Billie Joe sing it actually. I think it’s my least favorite on the album if I had to pick one, but I can’t really give much of a reason besides that it just doesn’t really hit me in anyway.
After the Party
9:13pmI was happy and a little sad they released this one today. Happy because it’s a highlight for sure, sad because it was a really nice surprise toward the end of the album when I first heard it. It’s a really great song.
9:15pmAlmost too many lyrical gems in this one.
Livin’ Ain’t Easy
9:18pmStarting and ending albums is hard. I think the band killed it with the opening track, and they give a solid 8.5 with the closer. It’s got this little Green Day ‘Warning’ era melody that I’ve always been a sucker for.
I am not sure how I feel about the “… breakfast in the l, l, l, lobby, but they’re always out of c, c, c, coffee” line — but it doesn’t take me out of the song and it sure is fun to sing along with.
9:20pm”Only a fool would think living could be easy.”
9:25pmWhew. Well, there we have it. By and large I think this is a fantastic album. I have a few minor nitpicks with the album, mostly in the production portion, or a few songs that feel a little filler-y and not quite up to the same level. However, after many plays I do think this album is right up there with RW if not maybe a little in front of it for me now. It’s got this emotional edge to it that pulls me in and really sets it apart.
The Menzingers are a great band with a three album run that is very, very good. I really hope more people start paying attention to just how good. I am not quite sure why they haven’t caught on in the same way as other bands have, but I think they’ve got a real shot with quite a few tracks here to make their mark.
If anyone has questions, let me know, I can talk about the album now and will be happy to answer.
Ok, now I’m gonna go grab something to eat and maybe watch some TV or read. (And feed the cat.)