Have a Nice Life - The Unnatural World
Critic Score
Based on 4 reviews
User Score
Based on 975 ratings
2014 Rank: #65
Liked by 145 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

80
The Needle Drop
"Gimmie your heart, make it real, or else forget about it."
- Rob Thomas
78
Pitchfork

For all its unrelenting gloom, the Connecticut post-punk outfit Have a Nice Life's six-years-in-the-making second album, The Unnatural World, oozes beauty. Sinuous instead of rigid, bloody instead of embalmed, the album refuses to be frozen in time or place.

70
Sputnikmusic
Not quite the earth mover that was "Deathconsciousness," but Have a Nice Life's long awaited second record is a logical next step and a worthwhile listen nonetheless.
50
Pretty Much Amazing

The Unnatural World is a frustrating album. Just when a breakthrough feels within reach, it hits a ceiling.

SnowyFighter
80

Deathconsciousness part 2 or nah?

In a way this feels like a Deathconsciousness part two, but that doesn’t mean that’s all this is. It’s extremely hard to live up to an album like Deathconsciousness, so I didn’t expect it to blow my mind, but I came out of it really pleased honestly. Even though it’s not as grand, it has some really satisfying and really complete songs. Emptiness Will Eat the Witch is my favorite because it doesn’t only serve as a good ... read more

WhatTheFunk
66

Many will agree, the only issue with this album is that it is not called "Deathconsciousness".

Have a Nice life. Yeah. It's not really the thought that comes to mind first when listening to the music of the Middletown duo. Music to which Enemies List Home Recordings' motto fits perfectly: "No fun. Not ever." At the same time, with titles of songs such as "Defenestration Song", "Burial Society", "Unholy Life", "Emptiness Will Eat the ... read more

Mellesteen
93

"Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

After releasing the infamous "Deathconsciousness" and gradually gaining a quite zealous cult following, Dan Barrett and Tim Macuga released what I deem to be their most underappreciated project to date. It might not compare to their debut in terms of scale or memorable melodies, but I think there's an abundance of strengths in "The Unnatural World" that often ... read more

ThePenguinG
86

yeah this is like a second parter to deathconsciousness. this little brother of the absolute beast carries many things that deathcon had. i wish there were more tracks, though... and more video essays about this album, too.

RomanVint
83

Let's be realistic: To make an album of the same level as "Deathconsciousness", or even to outdo their debut, is an extremely difficult task (if not impossible). So I didn't have high expectations for this record. And I can say with full confidence:
"This is a pretty good album, which, unfortunately, continues to live in the shadow of its predecessor."

At this time, the band delved more into gothic rock and drone than before. "The Unnatural World" is less ... read more

Olebert
94

Writing hate messages to myself on Instagram, snapchat, myspace, facebok, and Dota 2 servers just to find out who else gives a fuck

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Year End Lists

#19/Sputnikmusic
#47/The Needle Drop
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Added on: January 23, 2014