Album 6 - Violence

I'm really impressed with this album, and wasn't expecting it following first 2 singles. There is so much here to swim and get lost in. For me its easily their best effort with the current line up.

Initial thoughts and my opinion only of coarse -

Cold - I like the acoustic better, it's good song though. Could do without the scolded cat falsetto in the second verse. What started as an interesting divergence from the norm baritone seems to becoming habitual.

Hallelujah - I'm fairly neutral on this, they have really gone for the throat on this track. Its okay, I'll get bored with too many listens though so already something I'm urging to skip in listens. I guess you really need to be in the right frame of mind for this one. Its a bit of a nothing track at its roots, they did a lot with it in that sense.

Violence - Love it. Love the outro beats. Would be happy for the song to have been even longer. Love the approach taken on the vocal, ohohohoh then almost spoken violence. Brilliant. That said hearing the live version first, Tom's raspy plea of violence that built into the outro worked really well. Maybe that could have been captured more but I'll live. Love it.

Darkness at the door - Brain fart. What is this thing called love - esq. In the interview they talk about some songs naturally are what they are (this being an out and out pop song), and, trying to reinvent them into something they are not doesn't make sense (paraphrased..). I totally get that but feel more thought should be given to whether it needs to be an editors track or can be kept up toms sleeve for a later side project or passed on to another act. All will be forgiven if they release a video full with all 5 members synchronised dancing to this boy band style. This thought brings me joy.

Nothingness - yeah I like this track. Terrific vocal delivery. That dreamy loopy syth in the verse is gold. Still out and out pop when hooks into the chorus, but this gets carried without the identity crisis of the former track in my opinion. Its a fine line I guess.

Magazine - I think what they have done with this is terrific. I don't think its one of Smiths better tracks (which was confirmed for me when I heard the acoustic). I think the arrangement is better than the song so to speak. Catchy chorus plenty of energy.

No Sound but the wind - agreed best version to date. Beautiful vocal. I think the song has two of the strongest verses Tom has ever written to kick it off which can also be its downfall. After that in all versions they seem to struggle to close it off. For me its like a verse short or a minute too long. Well done to the band though.

Counting spooks - Love it. Wow. Another one where the instrumental and arrangement takes centre stage over the song itself, which stripped back to bare bones again isn't immediately one of Smiths better offerings. Favourite track on the record so far.

Belong - experimental, steps away well away from the typical structure of an editors songs and one of Toms best songs IMO, so much going on here. Love it.

The pulse - enjoy it, good potential let down with a weak chorus. Still deserved a spot over darkness...

When we were angels - was expecting a ballad. Some interesting ideas here, but falls apart somewhat.

Thank you editors. I'm reinvigorated.

www.metacritic.com/music/violence/editors


at the moment, the second highest rated album 

YES! This one sounds like Springsteen goes disco for me -- seriously disappointing track (though in person it was significantly better) -- but the mental image of synchronized boy band dancing will help me cope :-)

I enjoy listening to the album! It keeps getting better with every listen. The only thing I have to get used to is the artificial drumsound.

Just starting my 2nd listen of the album. I really like it. I think it is certainly their poppiest album so far. It probably helps having heard some of the tracks live a few times already.

Although I've only heard it once on the deluxe cd version, When We Were Angels is a great song. Not sure why it was left off the main album. I'm currently listening to the vinyl version of the album. It's one that certainly works better when the bass is turned up more on your sound system. It is a very energetic album. It needs some bass and volume to make it sound its best. I think the tracks as they evolve will sound brilliant live (tbf they sounded really good earlier this week already).

I'm supposed to be meeting friends in town in about 90 minutes. its really wet in Birmingham though and all I want to do is keep listening to this album. It'll be something good to come home to later anyway.

Agree with this. It's a different side of Editors but still a great song. I think that is what makes Editors stand out as a truly great band. They can change their sound from album to album but the quality of the songwriting always shines through.

Just listening to Counting Spooks for a second time and I love this track. 

With easier you mean easier not to dance through your room almost breaking things?