what are peoples thoughts on this? I think its great.

they're still great live but this album is kind of boring and repetitive compared to their first one.

I'm still on the record as saying this album being pretty damned good - top 10 of 2005 good...

it'd be in my top 10 easily. maybe top 5, i keep forgetting what was released this year and what wasn't.

I definitely have got to hear this band, based on the RIYLs from a number of people. Although people have seemed torn about whether this is as good as their previous album. I don't know where to start actually.

start with the first. though i'd say the second one is a bit more cohesive and accessible, but the listening to them in order def. shows more of a progression in song structure and storytelling.

what cotton said.

i sort of hate it.

we differ on lots of stuff contra.

really? hm.

but yeah, i dont know, i remember listening to this album early in the year and was like "what the fuck is this?" and i deleted it.

I think the lyrics are pretty brillant.

I agree home slice..

that might be true, but i can't listen to the lyrics if dude has me cringing.

Top 10, still.

i just listened to it all the way through for the first time today and while i think i enjoyed it i couldn't tell you why.

i didn't pay attention to the storyline until like 6 weeks ago. I almost never do with these concept albums, but it's hard to ignore this one because the same themes are in every song.

Lyrics are great, but I prefer the overall package with the first album.

That being said, it's a lot of fun live and they had not been playing these songs much live prior to recording SS.

In my top 5 for the year. Great Live Band, Great Concept Album. Craig Finn my be one of the greatest living songwiters seriously.


Edit:One of my favorite living songwriters

Good. Rockin'. Still acclimating to the voice. Top 20 contender.

Me too. Really liked their debut, but absolutely love this one.

the question is, even though their last show was one of the best i've ever seen, can I put up with listening to the Bouncing Souls the next time they come around?

they played/are playing a show with the bouncing souls?

that's kind of an odd pairing.

yeah the new tourdates were on pitchfork yesterday. apparently they're playing Littleton High School. I'd make some snarky comment here, but I really respect them for this. And whomever wins the Tad Kubler lookalike contest is AWESOME.

This is one of those bands that I realize is good, that I understand why people rave about....and that I don't like at all.