First Listen Ranking/Reaction
I want to preference that when it comes to Bleachers, I have to listen at least 3 times to a track before I start to connect with it. Except You and Forever, I liked that one off rip. I didn't like Dirty Wedding Dress for the first three listens, but then randomly one day I really, really liked it.
Just saying all this because I know this probably won't be my official reaction.
You and Forever
I Can't Believe You're Gone
Dirty Wedding Dress
Upstairs At ELS
Dancing
The Van
I'm Not Joking
We Should Talk
Sideways
She's From Before
Take You Out Tonight
Big fan of everything 7 and above. Every song below are songs I need to listen to a couple more times. I will say I was surprised by Upstairs At ELS because I thought it was Upstairs, at ELS. Like performed there like the two performance videos we got. But here's my reaction.
Bleachers best quality is the fact they can make you appreciate the privilege of life. The way Antonoff writes lyrics is definitely interesting, as it seems he writes lyrics to the song and not lyrics for the song, if that makes sense. In my opinion, it sounds like the band makes music before writing. Not say this is bad in any way. Actually complementing it. It allows for lyrics to stand out.
Dancing had one of my favorite lines in 'Scaling Ice walls", which really ties into my theory this is one of their best lyrical albums. The imagery in Can't Believe You're Gone and Dancing were insane.
Overall, this album will definitely have to grown on me. I haven't heard TTSOOSN (because every Bleachers album I've heard has defined a year for me, and I don't want this year to have the soundtrack of two Bleachers album) for better or for worse as I'm not the biggest fan of country music, but this seems more.. would it be folk music maybe? Not sure, but I like it. The album reminds me of a slower version of Modern Girl, which I for one really like. I really like that this record seems like the band is just doing whatever feels right. My only (picky) complaint is that I wish there was a slower song for the outro, but I'm not complaining at all.
Great job Bleachers, you guys rock 🍅