LogFAQs > #967798802

General Album Comments Continued

Raetsel_Lapin: It's probably odd to say this since I'm the one responsible for the album getting picked, but I've come to like this selection more than I expected to. I'd listened to it once back when Seanchan nominated it because I really wanted to hear another album by the band (I only had experience with "End Is Forever" beforehand) & thought it was neat, but it was still on the chopping block as something I wasn't sure I'd actually nominate. But as I listened to the album repeatedly to work out a ranking, I grew to really enjoy it.

It's hard to put into words, but there's something endearingly earnest about the band's performance on this album. It's overly long & almost comedically cheesy at times, the biggest track from the album is a cover of someone else's song, they almost aimlessly draw things out by continuing with TWO extra songs after the album ended (one of which is... just a song from earlier in the album??)... but somehow I think it actually works out. It feels like we're getting to listen in on the band just being themselves & doing whatever they want, with incredibly little editing or supervision. Duplicate songs, nonsensical metaphors, songs that feel like they *want* to be deep or experimental and fall on their faces, covers of famous songs that can't really compare to the original but who cares they're having fun. And you know what? I had fun too. Even some of the lowest rated tracks leave me with a big, stupid grin on my face and I think I kinda love this album. I probably wouldn't call it "good" objectively, but I also don't care for objectivity. I was thoroughly amused and personally don't ask for anything more.

BlueCrystalTear: The thing this album lacks is variety. Each song sounds the same as the last, even if they're about very different things. This creates a lack of memorability; nothing stands out, nothing sticks with you. You'd welcome this band if they came on the radio, enjoy the song for what it is, and maybe check out the album... and then find out that they can only do one thing. This is probably why they were a one-hit wonder. Just... "meh"

Johnbobb: This album was very ok but ultimately pretty forgettable unfortunately. Most songs kinda blended together

So Long Astoria track ranking

15. Unopened Letter to the World (Track #5)
Score: 44 (Average Rank: 11.11/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Johnbobb (#7)
Biggest Detractor(s): HBJDubs, BlueCrystalTear (#15)

14. The Hero Dies In This One (Track #8)
Score: 46 (Average Rank: 10.89/15)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs (#5)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin, MetalmindStats (#15)

13. Radio #2 (Track #11)
Score: 51 (Average Rank: 10.33/15)
Biggest Fan(s): ChichiriMuyo (#7)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin (#14)

12. Eight of Nine (Track #13)
Score: 57 (Average Rank: 10.11/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Johnbobb (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): BlueCrystalTear (#14)

Raetsel_Lapin: The song wants to be experimental and thought provoking by ending with a heavily distorted reading of a passage from "Go Now" by Richard Hell, but it just feels more awkward and weird than actually deep. Also, the track basically demands that you take a break and reflect on the passage's message... but the album doesn't actually stop here, bouncing along to the next track without a care in the world. Having the conviction to actually END on this song would probably make a more coherent album, but I'm not sure anyone involved actually cared about the flow. Which, as I said, is charming in its own way but makes this song even more of an oddity than it already was.

11. Summer '79 (Track #7)
Score: 58 (Average Rank: 10/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Seanchan (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Johnbobb (#13)

10. All You Can Ever Learn is What You Already Know (Track #9)
Score: 62 (Average Rank: 9.22/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin (#3)
Biggest Detractor(s): cyko (#15)

Raetsel_Lapin: It could be my imagination, but I feel like this song has the most "punk" feel to it on the album. Also probably the song I've gotten stuck in my head the most often from this album.

9. The Saddest Song (Track #6)
Score: 73 (Average Rank: 8.33/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin, Johnbobb (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): StifledSilence, Seanchan (#15)

Raetsel_Lapin: I'm too easily emotionally manipulated by this song's subject matter.

8. In This Diary (Track #3)
Score: 73 (Average Rank: 8/15)
Biggest Fan(s): StifledSilence (#3)
Biggest Detractor(s): HBJDubs, Johnbobb (#14)

7. Looking Back on Today (Track #12)
Score: 78 (Average Rank: 7.89/15)
Biggest Fan(s): cyko (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin, HBJDubs (#13)

6. I Won't Spend Another Night Alone (Track #14)
Score: 81 (Average Rank: 7.33/15)
Biggest Fan(s): BlueCrystalTear (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): Johnbobb (#15)

Raetsel_Lapin: It does repeat the song's title a few too many times for my liking, but it is incredibly catchy.

5. My Reply (Track #4)
Score: 84 (Average Rank: 7.11/15)
Biggest Fan(s): StifledSilence, cyko (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): ChichiriMuyo (#15)

4. The Saddest Song (Acoustic) (Track #15)
Score: 91 (Average Rank: 6.78/15)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): StifledSilence, Seanchan (#14)

ChichiriMuyo: After hearing the original I thought "who told them this would be a good idea?" However, this sound serves the lyrics so much better than the original. I almost want to hear an all acoustic version of this album to see what a difference that'd make. Almost.

BlueCrystalTear: This version works better. They should've given a few other songs on this album this treatment, which would've made some of the others more memorable as well.

Johnbobb: suddenly sounds much tackier like this imo

3. Takeoffs and Landings (Track #2)
Score: 101 (Average Rank: 5.22/15)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs, MetalmindStats (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): Seanchan (#9)

Raetsel_Lapin: "I slept right through your international dateline" is such a ridiculous line that I love it. Oh, you lovable goofballs

2. So Long, Astoria (Track #1)
Score: 110 (Average Rank: 4.56/15)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): cyko (#9)

1. The Boys of Summer (Track #10)
Score: 134 (Average Rank: 3.11/15)
Biggest Fan(s): StifledSilence, ChichiriMuyo, BlueCrystalTear, MetalmindStats (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Johnbobb (#8)