Shunning a tried-and-tested formula to focus on evolution and experimentation is always a massive risk. But by choosing to embrace their calmer, and often much darker side, the Dubliners could well have given us their masterpiece.
Rather than succumb to difficult second album syndrome, Fontaines D.C. have emerged frontrunners in an already filed of vital, important young bands. A Hero's Death is a resounding victory.
A Hero’s Death is a serious and rare achievement, particularly from a band that could have satisfied everyone with more of the same, and instead chose to evolve.
A Hero’s Death is a moodier, broodier pivot from their blustering 2019 debut, Dogrel. The band know the change might turn away some fans, and they’re okay with it; they’re okay being the hero in “A Hero’s Death.”
After making such a peppy, instant classic debut, they weren’t intimidated by the thought of a Sunday stroll album, and they reached newfound emotional and sonic heights in making one.
On their new album, A Hero’s Death, the band scratch at every itch and pick at every scab they’ve developed during their arduous last twelve months, the uglier the better.
Reminiscent of early Interpol but with the guitars tuned down perhaps, A Hero’s Death is an album that is unafraid to look life in the eyes, but by the time life has looked back, finds itself looking at eyes that have now turned downcast, not out of fear but perhaps resignation.
This record is about going out into the world and then going deep inside yourself to try to make sense of everything.
Though they were determined not to do more of the same, it’s still unmistakably them – all bodacious repetition, lilting brogue.
The title track is the album's keynote, an open letter from father to child advising them on noble living, and a jubilantly noisy address that elevates Fontaines to being among our most profound and important new bands.
The propulsive spark that lit their debut lingers, keeping the record from drifting off into malaise. There a certainty to their uncertainty. They embrace ambiguity. Fontaines D.C. might be unsure of what they want, but they damn well know what they don't when they see it.
It might work best if viewed as a companion piece to Dogrel, played immediately after.
Less of an immediate sensation as the group’s debut, A Hero’s Death nonetheless cements the group as one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge in an age.
Ultimately, A Hero’s Death can be defined by the title track and its definite list of rules for self-prescribed happiness. Though faced by much bloated expectation, its surreal mantra for success is a convincing argument that this is a band hellbent on delivering on the hype, rather than succumbing to it.
After turning heads on their debut, Dogrel, last year, the post-punks flirt with psychedelia and echoey guitar while their singer stands his ground.
It is missing the stable spine that gave the band’s earlier work such distinctive character, and their repetitious, two-dimensional songs bring the overall package down. Still, when the band is at its best, Fontaines D.C. delivers an irresistible cocktail of post-punk storytelling.
Setting a high bar on a debut album has always been a double-edged sword, as demonstrated here on A Hero's Death, which is a fine album that is nonetheless a step down from the booze-soaked sticky floors of Dogrel.
Fontaines D.C.'s A Hero's Death is the follow-up to the acclaimed Dogrel, and it features some of their best work -- alongside some of their most generic.
Production elements add a value that confirms these boys from the better land don’t need to pander to crowd swelling bangers akin to previous outings, instead, they’re ready to be the band that put noise to feeling. Though some singalong moments wouldn’t go amiss.
As far as modern post-punk goes, A Hero's Death is disappointingly run-of-the-mill.
In the middle of the rush, the dubliners brilliantly managed to come up with another album in a short space of time that was just as punchy but particularly different. If Dogrel staged the scenery and the context, A Hero's Death is a deeper and more sophisticated work on several layers, focusing on something more abstract and mysterious.
Founded only 3 years ago, everything goes so fast for Fontaines D.C. Yet the band doesn't skip steps, on the contrary the band faces them determinedly, with ... read more
If I told you a band’s sophomore album proved that they’d used up all their catchiest song ideas, all their most instant melodies and all their debut exuberance on the first record you’d probably surmise that this second release must’ve ended up a disappointment. Well dear reader, that all depends on what the band were left to work with.
In the case of Fontaines D.C. what remained was a soulful quality that was always there in the background on ‘Dogrel’ but ... read more
If there's something that 2020 was missing out on, it was Depression!
Fontaines D.C. are a group that I absolutely love what they have put out, including the in your face and fun as hell debut record 'Dogrel' that feels like if Joy Division was made in the modern age. They make post punk music for kids to both cry and punch walls to, and by god do they do it well. So, to say I was excited for this new album was an understatement! I was so goddamn hyped for this thing!
However, I did have my ... read more
Their debut album was fun, different, angry and witty. On the first listens I thought they’d skipped the difficult 2nd album and gone straight to the boring 3rd. Then it clicked with me – deep, clever, catchy and athematic and I love it. Huge developments from the ‘indie’ sounds, though they’re not quite Radiohead (less whale noises), more a Maccabees development – that’s never a bad thing! Still have some old magic on the title track but Dublin ... read more
A few standout songs such as 'A Hero's Death' and 'A Lucid Dream' mixed with some of the poorer songs from their discography being mostly from this album.
I need to give one more listen to the whole thing.
But it’s a clear step up for the production.
Some songs feel long, especially compared with the straightforwardness of the previous project.
Televised Mind is the best one here.
1 | I Don't Belong 4:31 | 88 |
2 | Love Is the Main Thing 3:53 | 78 |
3 | Televised Mind 4:10 | 85 |
4 | A Lucid Dream 3:53 | 88 |
5 | You Said 4:36 | 84 |
6 | Oh Such a Spring 2:32 | 81 |
7 | A Hero's Death 4:18 | 89 |
8 | Living in America 4:57 | 78 |
9 | I Was Not Born 3:49 | 70 |
10 | Sunny 4:52 | 80 |
11 | No 5:08 | 81 |
#1 | / | Far Out Magazine |
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#3 | / | MOJO |
#4 | / | Les Inrocks |
#4 | / | musicOMH |
#5 | / | MondoSonoro |
#5 | / | OOR |
#6 | / | Piccadilly Records |