Chvrches - Love Is Dead (2018)

Turrican, I am curious about what you think of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEdRhmBx8IU

(we had this conversation in the other chvrches thread)

but

the fact that Turrican loves them but hates the 1975 is hilarious to learn
― Simon H., Wednesday, 25 April 2018 23:39 (yesterday) Permalink

otm

xp - right, just saw that

Re Chvrches as a band, I am leaning to agree with Jonny Fever. I was excited because of "My Enemy" but "Miracle" is godawful. That chorus is as lazy as it gets.

*Johnny Fever

Pre ordered. Out tonight !

"graffiti" is v good, unfortunately i'm generally unimpressed but maybe it'll grow on me

thankfully nothing else is dreadful like Miracle but it's just generally ok except Graffiti which is fantastic yeah

There's nothing that for me appraoches the calibre of "Clearest Blue" or "Empty Threat"; it's all sort of...competent but forgettable.

Approaches*, oops

"never say die" was def the best of the singles but more for bombast than anything going on with the melody

"Graffiti" basically sounds like it came from the sessions for the last one.

"graves" is a pretty good "empty threat pt 2"

nothing but trouble downloading the itunes pre-order - had to contact support as it didn't actually download the whole album - wonder why i bother given i don't care much about this band but still

nothing like talking to itunes support at 6:38 AM, smoking a cig, cannot access a pre-order in my account lol

Love this record. Deliverance is so good

this album starts off so well, "Graffiti" is great you guys are right. i liked it and sounds like Chvrches, it will be interesting to see if it has repeat playing value.

Love all the
Haters. They’re a pop band duh

I didn't really like this at all, which is a shame as I thought Every Eye Open was a big step up for them. It reminds me a bit of the second Haim album. They both have a lot of the same ingredients of their previous work but are ultimately missing something with the songwriting. The songs just seems so flat making the whole thing seem forgettable. I've only listened to it twice so far, will probably give it another go. Maybe it's a grower?

I haven’t heard the whole record but I’m dreading the vocals. Just like xx - can’t stand the male singer. To think xx placed so high in the last years end list yet goldfrapp didn’t
Xx are boring as fuck

Xx making a pop record is like a corpse trying to dance

They suck

I’m sorry I got punched 4 times last week and I’m seriously sad because of it. Forgive me.

the xx are better, IMO

i think i'm with you Kitchen Person, this is not the leap forward that their least album was. it sounds like a retread instead of breaking new ground. but i have only heard once, so my view can change.

I saw Jamie XX live. He played enigma return to innocence. I rest my case. Anyways I’m taking a long break from
Ilx so I wish you all well

take care Ross, you will always be My Main Man!

i took a break after running the Joy Division poll for about three months. it sometimes works wonders so i totally get it.

Ah bee ok that made me so happy!

I politely request you stop getting punched if you can Ross!!

Ross, I hope you come back soon. I'm constantly seeing you on the same threads I'm checking out and always enjoy your input.

Damn you are all making me blush

It was a crazy homeless person that punched me. You’ve all meant the world to me and I will be in the shadows of course (did that for 15 years)

Love

Yeah, return soon Ross. I enjoy your enthusiastic posts here.

take care Ross

Maybe it's a grower?

i’ve spent a little time with it and essentially i think the second side hints at a better album with “graves,” “heaven/hell,” and “wonderland,” but each of these songs is kinda clunky in execution even though they’re among the most successful on the record

something about the aesthetic shift on this record just feels incomplete

I haven't heard the album yet, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as the first two. A live set is currently on BBC Four.

Absolutely sure turrican you’ll like it

This is a good record but I can’t imagine this band has much left to say after this one. They haven’t changed their sound much unlike other synth pop groups, other than the new one feeling like pop punky. Also get the guy off there, that’s t least favourite trope in music, secondary singers singing when it wasn’t formerly established

As a previous poster said Mayberry needs to go solo

the guy sings on every previous chvrches record

uncoincidentally always the worst track on the record

Yeah, I was gonna say! He sings on two tracks on the debut and one track on the second album. Disagree with Brad's statement, though - I love both 'High Enough to Carry You Over' and 'You Caught the Light' ...

Anyhow, if this record really is "more of the same", then looks like I'm in for a treat.

Also, welcome back Ross! It's like you never left!

“high enough to carry you over” is fine. it’s still the worst track on every open eye

it's 'more of the same but not as good', an important distinction

I'll be the judge of that when I hear it for myself.

(Particularly since I've read a lot on here that I've disagreed with regarding the first two albums also)

For me, 'Down Side of Me' is the "worst" track on Every Open Eye, but it still rules so it doesn't matter.

Looking forward to the promo interviews for the next record where they'll talk about how they wanted to get away from external co-writers and "get back to basics"

Thanks turrican! I was gone for a day lol

It’s a great pop record and delivers everythinf I want from
That wheelhouse. I confess I didn’t know he was on the other records as my knowledge of this band is confined to initial eps debut and remixes

Well, just finished my second listen to Love is Dead and unsurprisingly I love it from beginning to end. I have to admit, part of me was worried about them getting outside assistance with the production in case it turned into Moth-like disaster, but basically it's resulted in yet another wonderful Chvrches record that sounds sonically gorgeous on headphones. It's different enough to set it apart from previous work, while not sacrificing what makes them great - a balancing act they also achieved on their last album. Just superb. I was skeptical about some of the prior comments about the record here, and seems like I was right to be. Chvrches have done it again! Superb.

"Unwelcome second string singers" would be a good thread idea

see also: that one purity ring track where the dude sings

Meh, I don't think it's that different. Pretty much most of these songs would have fit snugly on either of their first two albums - they haven't radically changed their songwriting style or melodic sense and thank god for that because I'd hate them to. The biggest difference is in the production, which a little more shiny, but no less synthpop. They were always anthemic and have very little in common with EDM, which is a dreadful term anyway.

And what's wrong with Paramore!?!

Nothing, really! Just didn’t want CHVRCHES to go in that direction.

it’s ok tho because iirc, we both agree that Ladytron incl. their more recent non-‘witching hour’ albums are underrated. <3

Yeah, that's right! :D They've got a new one due out soon and about time too!