ARTVScores

ALBUM REPORT CARD (B)

“This Arizona rock band has been one of the most consistent groups of the past 15 years, so its great to hear a return to form on their all important, 8123 self-titled album.

Lyrical lusts of the past are now love songs from the heart of John O’Callaghan. It’s mostly endearing stuff, although one huge gripe, why the fuck did the nostalgic ‘cars & caution signs’ not close out the record. ‘spiraling’ is easily the worst song ... read more

02/06/20: “To direct myself back to their latest album, I brought up my long history with the band because I genuinely needed a refresher course on what I love about them and how my appreciation for their many talents could cross over into them trying something a bit out of the ordinary. It never felt like there was a noose around my neck, saying ‘love this album or die!’, it was more so a series of small acupuncture needles breaking my skin whispering ‘they better not ... read more

ALBUM REPORT CARD (C)

“I can’t be the only one who feels really disappointed, right? DCC soaks in 80’s nostalgia to the point where most of the album feels super safe with lyrics that fail to break the ice. The band sound like a weird mix of their best and worst material, resulting in a strangely underwhelming middle ground. After 5 listens, I was still having troubles remembering the songs, and I think a lot of that has to do with how formulaic ‘Dead Club City’ ... read more

“Especially with age, I feel that Queens of the Stone Age, in particular Josh Homme, have become the kind of artists that don’t really want to put something out unless, obviously, the spirit, the inspiration calls for it, but also if they’ve lived enough life for their to be the next chapter put to tape, and that’s exactly what this does feel like. It was definitely worth the wait and it also, simultaneously, thanks to all of the clever wordplay bait into the titles and ... read more