Album 6 - Violence

After listening to the album a few times already I can finally put out a well informed review. Overall it seems quite over-producted with a lot of details that seem to detract power and energy stripped back tracks would have. Sometimes the songs gain momentum and lose it again with dull "inbetweens". It seems more experimental and, for an Editors record, a little bit harder to listen to. But overall, and even if I am one of those who prefer guitars, dark moods and less over-production in their songs, you can clearly see that they're still and as always great songwriters. I just had to "strip back" the songs in my mind and kind of escape some of the "poppyness" to enjoy the songs more. Overall, great songwriting, but the sound and production wasn't really to my liking and I think it hurts the songs a bit compared to the live performances we've listened to. The actual drums Ed uses live and the less little sounds and details make the songs better live than in the record, which is great. Once again, Editors had trouble transposing their energy from the stage to the studio, but that doesn't mean it's not a good album. I would like to point out that the lyrics are many times a bit too banal, repetitive and unenchanting (e.g. Darkness, Violence, Belong), but moving at other points (Magazine, Cold, NSBTW, Counting Spooks). Cold is a great example of this issue as a great track, for it lacks the power we've heard live. The guitar solo, on the other hand, sounds better in the recorded version. The "Don't you be so cold" bit could have used the drums it uses live to give the song the momentum I previously talked about and Tom's voice is not the "dark" one I believe the song would have profited from. It seems that he is really pleading her not to be so cold, instead of scolding her [7/10]. Hallellujah shows that mix between guitars and electronic music Editors wanted to achieve. There's really nothing relevant to point out, it's a straightforward song [7/10]. Violence captures well the gist of the record, with its uptempo beat and catchy simple melodies. The build up to the chorus is wonderful, but the chorus seems too messy and overproducted (this is a matter of taste, of course) in which the drums seem always off, but the following interlude sounds great. The outro doesn't fit in the song and seems a bit unnecessary and basic. Tom's singing in the live version, if added, would have made it great [6.5]. Darkness At The Door a cheesy pop song that I find it hard to believe was released by the band. The sound engulfs Tom's voice and the lyrics are a bit awkward coming from him, if I may say so. The chorus divides me between the cheesy "This old town..." and the great bit afterwards where Tom sings the lyrics comprised in the title. There's also not much too say, it's an ok pop song, not memorable within Editors' repertoire and a song I believe will really divide opinion about what the band "should" do. Also, Tom's altered voice in the bridge looks like an unneccessary step for a guy with such a great voice. Otherwise, really catchy. [6/10]. Nothingness Still difficult to rate for me, might change and do the click, seems to follow on the previous song's steps. The stanzas sound nice, the chorus is just very average. The production annoys me, it is so filled with so many little details that it doesn't work for me. The sound direction they took with this one didn't get me, honestly (personal taste, again). Tom's voice, then again, is great. I believe that in some songs as Nothingness if they had used actual drums the songs would have been better and they would have achieved more easily that mix they wanted, because most of the songs tend greatly to favor the elctronic over the guitar-driven sound in like a 70/30 proportion [5.5/9]. Magazine great song, achieves that balance with ease, great chorus and very straightforward song with a well done "stop and start" I don't like so much in songs like Nothingness. One of Editor's best compositions, great pop song. Live it sounds even better. [8/10] NSBTW gets a good version putting it to bed, but I still prefer the older demo version, which this one doens't stray away from very much. A full band version would have been a more interesting project. Tom also sings a bit differently, if you know what I mean. A good recording nevertheless. [7/10] Counting Spooks was a great surprise and it successfully mixes the band-driven and electronic sound. The main riff is truly powerful, as is the rest of the song. The transitions from stanza to chorus, chorus to main riff and so on are very well done, all in all, a very well structured and very well sung song where tom really stands out. I would like to hear a live version, it would work really well I think. The outro works better than the title track's, but it also is a bit too repetitive and could have been something more grand and meaningful if it hadn't rested on such a basic basis. The guitar riff on is worth it, though. But a powerful coda which didn't sound like a remix of another song, without the repetitive lyrics, would have been a wonderful way to finish the song and bring the song to its full potential, but then again some people prefer one thing whereas I'd rather have another. Perhaps my favourite song on the record [8/10] Belong The chorus really seems uninspired and that is the only down-side to the song, but a slightly big one. Overall great arrangement, powerful and an intelligent closer. The last verse is one of the high moments on the record. The Pulse close to the live version. I miss the old intro and the guitar riffs, but it is certainly one of my favourite Editors songs, very well achieved. I'm a bit sad it hasn't appeared on their live performances [9/10]. When We Were Angels is an unremarkable song, it didn't click with me. The riff is nice, but the song appears to go in many different directions in under four minutes. [5/10]
All in all I enjoyed Violence, a well put album, coherent and strong. What lets me down is just a matter of personal taste, that is, the sound and production. I prefer stripped-back songs like in ITLAOTE, with more present guitars. This is a continuation of that album in a poppier form, with more immediate hooks and sound. It seems to me a bit unisnpired, with its highs and lows but I'm really glad their songwriting ability still remains impecable, as well as their creativity. Not my cup of tea, I might skip a few tracks once in a while. Nonetheless, Editors are alive and well!
6.5/10

the ending of Counting Spooks is an amazing little bonus.
same with Violence.

Hope this helps, durk. 

I like it too. Really adds to the tracks. I also liked the outro to Marching Orders. 

ITLAOTE was a big divide and to be honest quite a lot walked away from the scene after that album. On the other hand it caught the ears of new fans.

Okay I was too harsh on Violence (the song), I'm now hesitating between 6.5/10 and 7/10. It's a weird one because it doesn't sound like an Editors song to me, but fuck it, it's great even though it's not the style of music I normally listen to.

yeah, im also looking it everywhere, still nothing. i know that a few people from europe bought this version, so they should get it in this or next week