The Menzingers - Hello Exile (October 4, 2019) Album • Page 98

I mean, I'll say it. I hope they work with someone different for the next album

 

I like Yip, but he has a very distinct sound and I just think a new producer after 2 with him will help their sound remain fresh.

 

As someone who personally ranks OTIP as the best record, their biggest commercial records have been with Yip. There is clearly something about that pairing that works, so I’d be pretty surprised if they didn’t stick with it. No reason to change what’s working when the band is pretty clear about wanting to keep growing and continue this as a career.

 

This album’s muddy production is immediately disqualifying from putting it above ATP. Wet sock ass sound.

 

I do find it crazy that the same producer did ATP and HE. I get they tried to make the album sound though.

 

This is my favorite record of theirs. I’m not a fan of the earlier stuff though.

 

Love HE but still place it below ATP and OTIP. I agree with whoever said it doesn't have the same highs. In fact if I was doing a top 10 (maybe even a top 15) I'm not sure if a HE track would make it. Which would you put up there with their best?

 

I hope I like the next record they put out. Couldn't get into the last two at all.

 

I've wondered a lot where this band goes from here. HE kinda feels like they've chased their sound down to the logical end of the road. Very curious to see where they go next and I have no doubt I'll enjoy it!

 

Strangers Forever. I think the video and recent events added to it.

 

I feel the same. Rented World was their attempt to really expand their sound and it's my least favourite Menzingers record (aside from the debut) by a wide margin. But I do get a diminishing returns vibe from HE. It reminds me of so many other great bands where they put out the mid-career record that sounds similar but more subdued (this applies to a lot of bands, from punk acts like Rise Against to indie rockers like The Hold Steady). I miss the energy, but I know they can't keep doing the same thing. Always a fascinating spot for a band to be in, and I think the Menzingers have what it takes to keep putting out great work.

 

I was going to say High School Friend, which was my least favourite at first but for some reason feels like it has become one of the key tracks for me. They played it live when I saw them (literally two days before COVID lockdown in Australia) and it just felt like that would be one of the signature songs from the record.
They also played Strangers Forever of course and you could be correct. That one is just not quite 'it' for me.
I think Ana will stick in their setlists forever and my only real knock on it is that it's almost too Menzingers-by-the-numbers. Strain Your Memory and Farewell Youth are great but neither of them made the setlist when I saw them.

Oh and I'm sure America will remain one of their more popular tracks but it is probably my least favourite. That is the main track on HE that I just wish was faster.

 

Anna.

 

America is a top 15 track for me

 

This is definitely my favorite Menzingers album at this point. After the Party has more highs (though I think “Farewell Youth” is my favorite song off either album), but feels a little less focused and has 3-4 songs I usually skip.

 

The only weak link in the chain between the 2 albums for me is "Charlie's Army" and that one is still fun.

I love both albums, but After the Party gets it for me. The highs are just higher, but for both of them the whole of the album is better than the sum of its parts.

And listening to both albums with the 4 songs they released between sandwiched in there is a great listen. I did that yesterday afternoon while cleaning and organizing our storage shed.

 

I also love the production on HE. It feels almost live in a room, like watching the band play at a bar.

 

For me ATP is way way way better but I do like HE too

 

I Can't Stop Drinking may be a top 10 song

 

I think HE has recently overtaken ATP as my favorite of theirs but it’s pretty damn close.

 

Just following their records, I would think HE is sort of the beginning of their new sound. ATP had moments of it, but HE is essentially a full band singer/songwriter rock record that has its toes around punk and Jason Isbell/John Moreland style country. I think they are going further in that direction, not going back to punk.

 

For me, "Charlie's Army" and "House on Fire" are a clear cut below everything else, and I'm not totally enthused about "The Bars" or "Livin' Ain't Easy" either. Whereas there's not really a song I don't love on Hello Exile.

I'd never really compared it to those two before, but it definitely has a more widescreen Americana feel to it.

 

I know I’m probably in the minority here, but I’d totally be down with a Tom solo record.

 

In general, I prefer Tom as a songwriter to Greg. Caught him playing a solo show back in 2011, and it was a swell time.

HE is good, but it's leagues behind ATP for me. OTIP will probably always remain my favorite with CW being my second...to just express unpopular opinions.

 

CW still in the two spot as well for me

 

I like the 3 records after OTIP better than that album and anything before.