The Menzingers - After the Party (February 3, 2017) Album • Page 136

I didn't think it would ever be possible, especially after 'Rented World', but I think 'After the Party' has become my favorite Menzingers album. It is so fucking good. OTIP is amazing, but in a different way. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one Menzingers album I think I would pick ATP.

 

What's the political message in OTIP?

 

I don't recall there being much in terms of politics, but they carry over some of the message from CW about Scranton struggling as a city like many other industrial cities. Nice Things can be applied to greed and business with some of its commentary. And on tour for a stretch of time, Tom was closing the song out by saying "before the banks destroy us all". Freedom Bridge refers to a situation where people were committing suicide by jumping off a bridge. So I don't think there was much in terms of outward politics, but there are some references and commentary on some social issues and events.

 

this is def my least favorite other than Lesson. i like the songs a whole bunch but nothing about it makes me want to listen to it front-to-back anymore. really excited for what they do next.

i still listen to OTIP and RW front-to-back all the time

 

I think this is my favorite by them.

 

Chamberlain Waits > ATP > OTIP > Rented World > Lesson

 

This is my favorite by far. None of the others have ever really clicked, but this one was extremely immediate.

 

OTIP > Chamberlain > ATP > Rented World > Lesson

 

I don't think I can rank but CW, OTIP, RW and ATP are all perfect albums imo

 

They're all my favourite except maybe RW second last above ALITAOIT but even then it's got some of my absolute favourite songs in their discography on it so idk big time

 

Very curious what they're going to do next

They finished recording ATP in the middle of 2016, so I'm sure they're itching to get something new done after this festival run / Frank tour

Probably will get one last headliner at the end of the year and then I'm sure they'll start writing/recording

 

Pretty much. I mean the whole album is a commentary on the unattainability of the American Dream, the economical disenfranchisement of the Rust Belt, and how it affects mental health etc etc. chamberlain had a lot of that too what with them moving to a big multicultural city.

 

RW is my favorite mostly due to personal reasons, i cant deny that OTIP and ATP are "better" but its rly just splitting hairs for me at this point. love the last 4 albums and Hold On, Dodge, A Lesson is ok but isnt something i rly listen to despite having some good songs.

 

I will say that when I was having relationship issues last year RW hit me harder than ever

 

Between seeing the band perform the RW songs a bunch during the tour cycle and just sitting with the album, RW has aged really well. I liked it when it was first released, but it wasn't exactly what I wanted at the time, minus a few songs. The more I saw the songs live and played it more over the years leading up to ATP and now, the more I have grown to like it. I think it holds up really well and I'm glad they didn't do OTIP part 2.

 

Hold on Dodge is one of my favorite EPs, all of those songs are so good. Literally the only thing I want from this band is some deep cuts in the set list.

 

I feel like with OTIP I'm listening to someone else's stories whereas After the Party hits me pretty hard on a personal level. I connect to themes and ideas on OTIP, but nowhere near as much as I do on this one

 

I'm very interested in what their next record will sound like. Even though it's only been out for a year and change, the band has done a lot of shorter runs mostly supporting bigger bands, which is awesome for them. It seems like the ATP cycle has lasted longer than it really has.

 

Sunday Morning and Lilith Avi are both top tier Menzingers songs that I’m very grateful to have seen them play

 

Lilith Avi is an awesome song.

 

It switches for me really depending on my mood. Both are absolutely fantastic but I think I connect lyrically a tad bit more with OTIP. I love the dark themes going on there. I'm still only 24 but ATP does connect with me as I see my high-school/college years metaphorically being my "30's." And I won't lie I think ATP is one of my favorite sounding albums too, the mix of Yip and their sound does wonders for my ears.

 

Honestly not sure I'll ever get tired of this album or OTIP.

 

Waiting until I turn 30 to see if I can get into this album again

 

RW is special just they'll never write songs that heavy again or another song as spacey and wandering as Transient Love.

 

Casey just came up on shuffle at work and damn... just a perfect song