The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City
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CRITIC REVIEWS
80
75
Alex's concerns seem to be shifting somewhat—mortality and parenthood coming to the fore here—but he's still the best guy to bring to the party and Beach Slang—in the absence of his beloved Replacements—are certainly still the best rock n' roll band around.
60
The Replacements were so luminescent because they played their bizarre, specific brand of rock for the kids at the front, all snot, spit and sweat. In trying so blatantly to recapture that magic, The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City can't help but feel like a lot of smoke and mirrors.
60
U.S. alt.rock crew Beach Slang age less disgracefully on The Deadbeat Bang Of Heartbreak City.
52
The Philly band’s rousing punk anthems lose a little luster on an album that feels more motivated by desperation than starry-eyed conviction.
50
Beach Slang toed the line on earlier albums with their Replacements-worship, but Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City pushes them over that line.
50
As Beach Slang moves forward, maybe it can find rejuvenation by going into more difficult places rather than just telling us it rocks.
30
On Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, James Alex's (Beach Slang) homage to his heroes sounds exhausted.
I really, REALLY wanted to like this album. Mainly because of how incredible the cover is. But in reality, this album sounds like it was made by a mediocre 80's rock band. It sounds so outdated and repetitive. There are honestly times when it sounds like a bad KISS song 😐 Such a major disappointment; at least it's not terrible though.
Strong 5/10
Strong 5/10
Genre: Punk Rock
Origin: US
Final Verdict: 52% (Pleasant Album)
Yearly ranking: 25th / 38
Highlight: Bar No One
Made me think of:
The Menzingers
The Gaslight Anthem
Alkaline Trio
Origin: US
Final Verdict: 52% (Pleasant Album)
Yearly ranking: 25th / 38
Highlight: Bar No One
Made me think of:
The Menzingers
The Gaslight Anthem
Alkaline Trio
This album might not be perfect and it might not qualify as good right now. I do think, however, that this album is the initial step towards something that will be better. It’s an introduction to a new sound by the band, and those kinds of albums are often viewed as initially questionable. This might seem like a negative review, but I am only pointing out the flaws of this album–the lower quality mixing, the lyrics that could be a little better, the overall length of the ... read more
I remember holding a lot of hope in Beach Slang. I remember thinking they could really grow into something promising. Instead that growth has been more akin to black mold. This album is a mess. If you want baseline garage/punk then sure you might find something to like here. The mixing is bad however, the playing lazy, the posturing droll, the riffs are recycled, and it's lyrically bankrupt. I can't help but be a bit harsh here because this is the sound of a band punching way below their weight ... read more
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Track List
- All the Kids In LA
- Let It Ride
- Bam Rang Rang
- Tommy In the 80s
- Nobody Say Nothing
- Nowhere Bus
- Stiff
- Born To Raise Hell
- Sticky Thumbs
- Kicking Over Bottles
- Bar No One
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Added on: October 14, 2019