I Really Wanted to Love This Album… | Sum 41 - 'Heaven x Hell'
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- Опубліковано 1 кві 2024
- Jon from ARTV reviews the 8th & final album 'Heaven :x: Hell' by Canadian alternative metal & pop punk band Sum 41. A finale to remember, or a disappointing voyage to the void?
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“Heaven :x: Hell”
Rise Records
Released: 3/29/24
Rating: 3/5
Fav Songs: House of Liars, Waiting On A Twist of Fate, How the End Begins, Rise Up, I Don’t Need Anyone
Least Favs: Dopamine, Time Won’t Wait, Stranger in These Times, Landmines
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Thumbnails/Co-Editing by Infinity on Hannah
Intro Song "Swimming Pools" by Rob Scallon
This video discusses: Sum 41 final album, Sum 41 album review, Sum 41 discography ranked, Sum 41 Top 10 songs, ranking Sum 41 albums, Chuck, Does This Look Infected, 13 Voices, Screaming Bloody Murder, Order in Decline, All Killer No Filler, Half Hour of Power Jon from ARTV Sum 41
#Music #Sum41 #Metal #PopPunk #Review
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Sum 41 - Heaven x Hell - Album Tracklist
CD 1 (HEAVEN)
Waiting On a Twist Of Fate
Landmines
I Can’t Wait
Time Won’t Wait
Future Primitive
Dopamine
Not Quite Myself
Bad Mistake
Johnny Libertine
Radio Silence
CD 2 (HELL)
Preparasi A Salire
Rise Up
Stranger In These Times
I Don’t Need Anyone
Over The Edge
House Of Liars
You Wanted War
Paint It Black
It’s All Me
How The End Begins
Leon S. Kennedy has approved this review ☑
What did you think of the FINAL Sum 41 album??
I love it 🥰🤟
I enjoy Haven and Hell album. Loud drums, good energy, guitars. Other records like 13 Voices, Order in Decline, Screaming Bloody Murder, Chuck are also good.
I really enjoyed this final album ❤ I feel some songs could have been cut (and maybe added to a deluxe version) but other than, this was a banger! And what a note to end their career on.
pretty solid but there were some filler tracks I'd give it a 7/10
While this doesn't top Order In Decline, I look at Heaven x Hell as being Sum 41's ultimate love letter to themselves, and so I can't exactly think of a better sendoff.
This exactly. I've been enjoying the whole album and even I have some issues with it but overall... Exactly like you said
Order in decline is boring
@@farhanvamp top 3 for me (Chuck, SBM and Order) but respect your opinion.
@eduardocampos3316 for me its Chuck, Infected and SBM. For their new one, I like Hell more then heaven but i feel tat the song writting in Hell is like alil rush and not complete. Its like chuck without the kick
I respectfully disagree with you. For me it was one of the best albums they've made (I really like all of them), there were a few tracks that I didn't like because I thought they were generic or repetitive, but overall, listening to this whole album is a great experience. Deep lyrics, great guitar solos, great melodies... I think it was a great way to say goodbye.
I'd rank it 4th after Chuck. I like this album, but it doesn't rise above their first three releases.
Yeah @desmondhume8071 this is easly one of the best albums they've made technically speaking it have so much stuff, great solos, great lyrics, dude is talking shit
Yep i'd say this is their best since Chuck. Unfortunately I never dug their poas-chuck releases like other people. This one was great tho
guys I agree with all of you, this album was so refreshing after those dark last metalish albums, it really kinda just grows on you the more you listen
I liked it. Old school feel, with nice metal Inspired parts and some fire riffs.
Man, I can’t believe the band is breaking up.
I can, they haven't put a good album since underclass hero in my opinion.
@@wriglarzzz Order In Decline was amazing
@@wriglarzzzYou're completely delusional
@@rossmusic25 have to agree, I think Order in Decline is stellar and arguably their best work!
Heck screaming bloody murderer is also an amazing album
I’m not the biggest Sum 41 fan as I only got into them a couple years ago. That being said, this album was an incredible way to send off their career! How the end begins has got to be my favorite from the album, especially with how big and climactic the whole song is. Cheers to you, Sum 41!
Who else is seeing them on there farewell tour and if where?
Edmonton at rogers arena, 2025 january.
I plan on seeing them in LA in October!
They ain't coming to Sweden 😭 otherwise I would
Going to the Red Rocks show in September!
Showbox
My top-5 songs on each side...
Heaven:
1) Waiting On A Twist of Fate
2) Landmines
3) Not Quite Myself
4) Bad Mistake
5) I Can't Wait
Hell:
1) Stranger In These Times
2) Preparasi A Salire/Rise Up
3) You Wanted War
4) House of Liars
5) How the End Begins
Dopamine and Radio Silence are my favorites on Heaven Side, but i do love all of them
Time won’t wait is also good
I consider Sum 41 to be heavy rock. Heavy rock is a genre that doesn't exist, but this would go to bands who are considered to be heavy metal, but in reality they aren't. My top 2 examples are Alice Cooper and Van Halen.
gonna miss these guys. will always cherish the greatness that we got 💔
I am sad they are breaking up but it's like the old saying goes don't be sad it's over be happy it happened.
Dopamine is true to its name. I bet Deryck inteded that. Pretty cool to give both the pop punk and hard rock fans music for their final ablum. Probably going to be my favorite album for the next few years.
I give them credit for coming up with a great concept for a final album. With having 2 distinct styles I think it was really cool to split it up between a metal side, and a pop punk side. Its got something for all of their fans, even if the pop punk stuff doesn't compare as well to the early 2000s albums, as a concept I think it works very well
I was expecting Hell to be my favorite of the two, as I love their Metal sound, but surprisingly I find myself listening to Heaven more. It was such a great concept for their final album, and while there could’ve been a little more substance to some of the songs, I still found it to be a solid record for them to go out on.
Decent final album. But nothing will ever top “Does This Look Infected?”
Ah man, bummed to hear you weren’t a fan of Stranger In These Times, it’s one of my favorites on the album. I know it’s all personal preferences tho so either way I respect it.
Yeah that was one of my favorites too.
I guess Heaven was supposed to be an homage to the glorious pop punk (and sometimes to MGK-ass filler) of the past while Hell was supposed to show their developed maturity. Fare de well Sum 41.
A lot of the songs on Heaven were written for other bands, right? So, I suspect one was The Offspring as there's two that sound similar (Future Primitive and Bad Mistake) and one for Avril Lavigne (Time Won't Wait). Dopamine & Landmines sound like they were written for MGK to me too. But honestly, I think they're all great songs. I get why Whibley didn't want to part with them haha
This is a goodbye love letter to the fans and themselves, and I think they really nailed it. The only thing that was missing for me was a rap-rock song to really tie it in a perfect bow.
One of my all time favourite bands. I really enjoy both sides of the album, but nothing compares to Does this look infected and Chuck to me. Great send off.
Hopefully Deryck will do some solo stuff at least in the future
This album is like a Best Of compilation except it's all new songs. There's nothing really new but it's all quality. I give it a solid B+
As a fan since they started getting buzz as a hometown band in the late 90s it's great to see them still going strong after everything they've been through.
Sum 41 is one of my favorite Punk Rock bands... yes I called em Punk Rock
Tracks were definitely hit or miss and it’s definitely not one of their best albums, but the high points are definitely songs I enjoy and have saved to the rotation. I really do like the idea of having a final album show the two different sides of the band’s style through their near-3 decade long career.
I totally agree
I wasn't fully sold on Landmines, but knowing they'd do a pop punk side on the album it was alright.
Also seeing WOATOF was on there and then hearing some of the very straight-up punk tunes made me realise the heaven side was still very influenced by their new sound.
But you still have to sit through the poor-written, generic pop punk tunes like Time Won't Wait and Dopamine
My reasons why I don't think those tracks work, appart from what I've said, is that they're on a different place musically right now. They'd grown past the old days and went into a much heavier metal-ish sound
That's why they do those songs so much better. The hell side not only has better lyrics but also musicianship. The solos, the drumming, the vocals. Everything works there. And though it does get a bit repetitive it still sounds good
This is a band that actually evolved with their sound. When Blink or Green Day do the pop punk think it's fine, but when they try it it feels very weird.
Not saying the other bands didn't evolve but they've been going back and forth with it. If Sum 41 had managed to go back and make fun and playful pop-punk tunes like back then it would've been fine
But since they're a little out of touch now the songs come across as very bland and forced, specially cause they do the alt metal stuff so well!
I love Order In Decline. It's their peak when it comes to that sound. Maybe they were too ambicious now with HxH
I'd prob just listen back 1 more time and make 1 whole album out of the 2
But yeah, it's not bad tho I also really wanted to love it
Btw the transition from one side to another is fire
I loved both sides but hell was definitely better despite me liking their pop punk music more than their metal stuff
Chuck was always my favorite album, but this one just has it all. This is prob my fav right now.
Dopamine is a terrific song. It is my favourite off the album and second favourite Sum 41 song behind Still Waiting.
First listen I loved the heaven side, but after a few more listens, the hell side has melted my mind, "I don't need anyone" and "you wanted war", listen on headphones and up loud, it may change your mind.
What did everyone think of the paint it black cover?
Awful. Tom should sing it even though he was in Gob
Excellent cover
Pointless
@@thecornerstoneguy I'm surprised Tom didn't sing it too. Similar to the Gob cover.
I agree with your take on the album. I want to try to see their philly show on May 18th
I'm really digging this album, it grows on you dude
Well done video man! I agree on wanting to love this album more and that they are better at writing heavier songs these days (although I loved Landmines)
Something about Does This Look Infected and Order In Decline just really hits all the marks 🔥👌🏻
The album is fantastic, honestly.
I finally decided to listen to give this album a listen. Why is it that no matter what tempo the instruments are played at, Deryck's vocals sound like they can't keep up?
Fun Fact: "House of Liars" samples the intro music for beloved PC Game "Roller Coaster Tycoon 2".
(This is not true. But I like to think it is. Go look up the intro music.)
Honestly, the songs I listen to the most on that whole album are Bad Mistake and Twist of Fate.
That’s a very good description of landmines.
As usual agree with you, I really wanted to be into this album much more, than I am
The hell side is my favorite too but I wont lie... I adore the whole thing. Heaven is nostalgic and hell is where it's at ❤
Overall, I think it's a good album, but the heaven side feels a bit average.
I guess it makes sense, as Deryck said that he was originally invited to write pop punk songs for other artists. He wasn't sure at first, as he hadn't written a pop punk song in years. However, once he started writing, he actually ended up liking the songs and wanted to use them for himself. Wasn't sure if he wanted them to be Sum 41 songs, but they ended up as being Sum 41 songs. Basically, a lot of the heaven side of the album weren't written as Sum 41 songs.
Damn well I think Luke and I are way kinder to this release than you! Though yeah Hell side is better for the most part! The last song was definitively a final mission statement for sure! Curious what your last and final ranking will be when you do it again! Have a good day!🤗😉
For me personally, it’s definitely not their best album, but it also doesn’t have to be. It’s good enough for them to end on a high note, and being they’re my favorite band, that’s all I could ask for
The Heaven side is why I think it’s good that they’re hanging it up but the Hell side is why I’ll miss them. So much better at the heavy stuff. MGK has made this genre sound so stale but Sum 41 has always sounded better with the heavy stuff. I will miss them and I’m glad they all regrouped to make one more record
I will be seeing Sum41 live the last time at Rock Werchter in my native Belgium this year. A bit of a tender and emotional moment because the last time i went there, Linkin Park played their last ever European show and i don't want this 'saying goodbye ' trend to go on lol
I'm not surprised some people like one or the other side way more. Contrast is definitely there and it's great because of that. Heaven hit that nostalgia vein for me and Hell continued on a path of Order in Decline (maybe 13 voices already). All in all I like it a lot. Hell of a way to go. Highlights for me got to be Stranger in these times and I can't wait.
Kinda have the same feelings, didn't love Heaven but its some pretty nice catchy music to listen to in the background on a summers day, Hell I loved and think (minus the Rolling Stones Cover) is their best collection of tracks since Screaming Bloody Murder. Overall more than happy with this as a final album and honestly just feels more like a victory lap from the band rather than them trying to top their classics.
Dude it was a great album. Especially musically. I think the lyrics really flowed with the music 🎶. I think the lyrics on Chuck were a bit deeper because of the darkness of the material they were working with.
Facts 💯
I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known
There’s a lot of stuff on the this record that felt like Deryck really let both Dave & Tom have a major say in the melodic nature of the tracks, and because of that, there’s a few songs that feel very Gob-ish instead of Sum 41. The three major ones for me are Dopamine, elements of Bad Mistake & House of Liars… it makes me wonder how some stuff would’ve sounded with Tom on vocals instead of Deryck.
Sum 41, a Resident evil reference and my favorite album reviewer on UA-cam, this will be a banger of an episode!
I definitely get where you're coming from and also agree that the Hell side is stronger than Heaven. I personally enjoyed a lot of this. Some of the more pop punk moments like Landmines and Dopamine were weak, but other than moments like those, the instrumentals are solid to excellent and the performances are some of Sum's best.
8.5/10
Heaven and Hell was 🔥🔥 asf. Perfect album to end it.
The album has its moments. If one looks at the history of this band, In Too Deep and other songs are pop-punk classics but their heavier songs are usually preferred. Same is the case with this album.
Sum 41 are one of my favorite bands, though I don't listen to them as much as I used to. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and it's one of my more enjoyed albums of the year so far and will definitely have a good place on my end of year list. However I do agree that it is a bit flat. The lyrics could be less basic, the instrumentation could be less formulaic (MGK-ish for lack of a better description) on the pop punk side, and the more metal side could be a bit heavier but a thoroughly enjoyable listen thorough out none the less.
There's really one thing I didn't like about this record: they said it's a double album, but the length of each side doesn't correspond to an album length separately. It's 25 mins for Heaven and 27 mins for Hell. There are a few songs that would've been better served to last longer, like they were asking for it
While I probably liked the album more than you did, even I will admit the Hell side is a lot stronger than the Heaven side. Heaven has its moments (Like Waiting on a Twist of Fate & Future Primitive) and overall it’s solid IMO, but like you said, some of the songs do blend in together. Hell definitely kicks ass and I’m with you in preferring Sum’s metal side than their pop punk side.
Listening to this album, it kind of reminded of Foo Fighters’ In Your Honor where one side is where the heavy hitters are on and the other, while having its moments, also features some filler. But even if it’s not their best and it’s not flawless, there’s still enough solid material here for me to say they went out on a most satisfying note.
Great to your review, I enjoydd it very much but I can definetly see where you’re coming from, somewhere in me I can feel that feeling ”is this it?” Even tho I dig it but its like there isn’t THAT banger on this album which you kinda expect men who havn’t relseased in 5 years.
Tho I think the heaven side feels more fresh, more exciting than the hell side. Hell is fire definetly but to me the songs kinda mash up into one, harshly said. Even tho there are a lot of stand out moment in the hell songs i just don’t think they hit like a ”We’re all to blame” or ”angels with dirty faces”.
BUT actually a very good and solid album, maybe expectations from those who have it are a bit to high but hey they do deliver, I’m mean there are barely any skips here.
You have a completely opposite opinion of this album than me lol
I REALLY like this record and it does deliver on the 'every sound for every fan' aspect - for example, I feel the total inverse as you, I find the Hell side decent but a little boring aside from some hits, but feel like the Heaven side is banger after banger (except the final ballad, not great).
Top 5 songs on each side:
1) Waiting on a Twist of Fate
2) I Can't Wait
3) Future Primitive
4) Bad Mistake
5) Johnny Libertine
1) Rise Up
2) Stranger in These Times
3) I Don't Need Anyone
4) You Wanted War
5) How The End Begins
Time Won't Wait, Dopamine and Landmines are my least favourite on the Heaven side as they are very formulaic and sound a bit too much like a MGK or Avril Lavigne song. But overall I enjoy this album and would probably give it an 7.5/10
First listen i was like you, thought they all sounded similar and nothing really poped up. Give it a second listen and it will grow on you a lot. For me the Heaven side is so good, a return to their roots, songs like Radio Silence, Dopamine, Waiting on a Twist of Fate are so good. On Hell side Stranger in these times is my favorite so far.
Gotta say, I think this was a good way to end off their career. I will agree though that the Hell side is a bit stronger, but I still had some fun with Heaven. Personally, this gets a 4/5
However, it doesn’t quiteee beat order in decline.
Rise Up is the only song ive heard so far. I really liked it.
The only song I’ve listened to from that album is Landmines, and in my opinion, it’s fantastic. Modern pop punk at its best.
I like how you "like how dave..was able to go all out on Hell" ..I'm paraphrasing .. but it's rly all Deryk. Well, and Mike Green sometimes
You have to compare this with other band releases this year. If you put it up against saviors from greenday, then it's higher ranked.
Haha, not a chance in hell. Saviors is killer imo at least
Agree
Week B Side, too many filler tracks for me
I loved this album although it isn’t there best I still enjoyed it especially heaven. It just hit me in the feels cause of some shit I’m going through. Heaven gets repetitive at times but still enjoyable and unfortunately has some MGK vibes at points and hell had a few banger solos great video man
I would have liked a more dark heavier style in the hell part like screaming bloody murder that was their best and their worst for me. But i really enjoyed hxh. Sum 41 was also my gateway into music in general and were my favourite band until i found bad omens. I think hxh does one thing great and that is representing their discography which is really a hit consisering it's a foodbye album. Also i totally agree, that last song was hands down the best from hxh with this twisted by design vibe.
Bummed we never got to see Brownsound AND Steve-o reunite on an album together.
I have to agree with you and say that I'm way more into the heavier side of Sum 41. While this album may not be the masterpiece that some are hoping for, I say it's a pretty good note to end on. Honestly, if the album was just the Hell side with 2-3 tracks included from Heaven (my personal choices being Waiting On a Twist of Fate, Future Primitive and Johnny Libertine), it makes for a pretty damn solid release.
Gonna miss these guys, Planning to catch them on their farewell, though I'm hoping it's an actual farewell and they don't just reunite again in the couple years (looking at you Slayer).
It's a great album. I prefer it over Saviors by Green Day, tho both are good.
Hey John! I respect the review but I have some things to say (that also explain why the lyrics aren’t the best):
1. So I’m not sure if you knew this but a lot of the songs (probably on the pop punk side) were originally meant for other artists. Obviously that doesn’t excuse them being rly lack luster, but at least for me it makes things make sense. At least for me, I wasn’t going into the pop punk side for anything too deep, just some dumb fun (I think it’s still better than MGK).
2. This album is definitely a grower. Im going to be honest, Sum 41 is my favorite band and when I first heard it I wasn’t the most impressed with it. It may still be my bias but the songs have grown on me and while the album does have its flaws, it’s something I can rly enjoy.
3. While I like the hell side, I think it could’ve been even heavier tbh and the last song’s abrupt ending kind of left me feeling weird. I also wish this record had one or two more big emotional tracks.
I respect your opinions though and glad you enjoyed what you did. I hope this album grows on you like it did for me :)
I am a pretty big Sum 41 fan. I love all of their albums for one reason or another. This album was a little disappointing BUT it has grown on the more I listen to it. At first I really only enjoyed the Heaven side and thought the Hell side was forgettable but I've come around. I love the energy the Heaven side brings. I do wish there was more Brownsound solos and I wish they brought back a rapping section for at least one song. I don't think thr Hell side is nearly as heavy as it should have been. Previous albums like Chuck and Order in Decline have much heavier riffs. It's maybe a 3 and a half from me. Not my favorite by any means but it's a good way to go. Gonna really miss them.
I wouldn’t say it was the best but it was decent… a strong final goodbye that did not disappoint
It’s definitely not their best work imo but I think it’s an Ok album some tracks are alright, I really like the heavier songs “Over the edge” is a great song, 6.5/10 album for me, I definitely love “Order in decline” and their older stuff like the infamous “does this look infected” “Chuck” and “All killer no filler” allot more, those are 10’s imo
Out of the three big names in punk/pop-punk to release albums recently, Blink-182 and Sum 41 released better music. I could only find 3-4 songs on Green Day's Saviors that I liked.
💯 agree on this. I really only like about 4 songs off new Greenday too
I get that it's a double album but for me it felt a little too long. I can't really point at a track and say "that should've been cut" but 55 minutes is a lot for punk rock/pop punk/whatever album imo. Like if it was 7 or 8 tracks instead of 10 per side I feel like it'd be much stronger. Still enjoyed the album though don't get me wrong, just sometimes less is more.
I find it better than 13 voices or should I say more consistent yet 13 voices singles shine a lot brighter than the singles on HxH. It’s a middle of the road average album I’m glad they’re hanging them up now and I’ve seen them live 7 times and they’re great every single time
I think this album is a great one to end with, there are songs on the album that aren’t that great (I don’t like Dopamine all that much, but I like Landmines) but it’s still a great album
The irony is I REALLY like the Heaven side, and I found the Hell side to be far less interesting.
Maybe it's just because I have such a huge soft spot for punk (especially pop-punk) and Alt. Rock/Alt. Metal isn't always my cup of tea, but I really liked the front half and found the back half to be far less consistent with a few great moments despite it.
the hell side is definitely the sum 41 sound i prefer....bad mistake is my favorite song off the album
I would have loved to put Sum 41 in my top 3 albums this year, but it did not. It's still a fantastic album. There are a ton of great songs on this album. Some of my favorite songs are Landmines, Time Won't Wait, Not Quite Myself, Waiting on a Twist of Fate, Bad Mistake, Rise Up, I Don't Need Anyone, Strangers In These Times, Over the Edge and You Wanted War. Their cover of The Rolling Stones Paint It Black is really good. This album is really good, but it just failed to top the 3 albums I really love. And they are Green Day, Alkaline Trio and BlackBerry Smoke. These 3 are going to stay up there for the rest of the year. And I don't see anyone else topping these 3 anytime soon.
Personally, I could only pick out 3-4 songs off of Saviors that I liked. I thought Alkaline Trio's album was phenomenal.
Does anyone REALLY think this will be the last we see of them? I'll bet anything 5-10 years they will be back
I still can't understand there breakup. Derick gave an interview last year and he said that the Band is in a good place. One week later, he announces that they are ending things.
You have to understand that sometimes things just can’t stay the same forever. I’m sure they are in a good place, that’s WHY they’re ending it on a good note where they’re all getting along / performing well live. Think about how many old ass washed up bands just don’t know when to throw in the towel, I respect Sum for doing it this way
Some of the songs did start to feel a little bit repetitive, but overall, I think it's a pretty good album.
If you got time, can you please do reaction to FELIP "Fake Faces"... thank you
Waiting on a twist of fate was dope because it had a bit of metal and pop punk. I also thought not quite myself was really good and had great guitars. Otherwise though heaven was just aite.
5:30 "you're all 40 something"?... more like they are all 41 sumthing, amirite?
yes, i did sit on this one for way too long.
I thought it was just ok. No songs on the same level as still waiting, the hell song, and a lot of the songs off all killer no filler.
I understand where you're coming from with Heaven being a bit underwritten but I thought it was a great attempt at making an updated take on pop punk (ie reversing old school pop punk inspired modern sadboy rap back into pop punk. I thought they did it cleverly), but the thing is that they were never supposed to be a super deep pop punk band. Their older stuff was also simplistic and overwritten, the point of their music is that it's a blast to listen to. They were at their worst when they tried to make these big pseudo-intellectual punk/metal operas (imo).
Heaven is sweet, simple and in my opinion their best work in years..
Still early days to form my concrete opinion on this album but at the minute I don’t love it, and I agree with you:
Heaven is basically like a dog on a lead: recycled ideas that sound so similar to one another. But that being said, I do like a few songs on this album.
Hell feels like the dog has had the lead taken off, and is allowed to run free. Insane guitar solos and it is certainly a lot heavier than most songs on heaven, except perhaps Waiting on a Twist of Fate.
My overall rating thus far 6/10
I thought the pop punk side of the album was solid, not single song for me was skippable. It's the metal side of Sum that has always been hit or miss for me, due to that I haven't quite finished it yet. But me being a pop punk kid, I'm very happy with what I got as far as that goes on this album. I'm sad they're breaking up, but they will always be one my all time favorite bands
I enjoyed the album, especially the Hell side but a lot of tracks overall felt bland, still nothing can top Screaming Bloody Murder in my opinion. Still praying on the day they actually do a vinyl press for that album 🤞😭
Wasn’t really feeling it either. Like like 6 songs outta 20 where was Brown sound riffs?
I don't know why everyone is shitting all over Dopamine. I personally really love that song. In fact in my honest opinion the Heaven side is considerably better than the Hell side and Dopamine is one of my more listened to songs here recently
I think the lyrics were about the band not about teenagers
I think you've brought up some good points, and I can agree that the Hell side is stronger than the Heaven side. Similar to the latest Blink album, the production isn't the greatest, and at some points it did sound like they were a bit out of ideas for the lyrical content, and in more than one song (Not Quite Myself and Rise Up), they mention "hanging by a thread". Some songs on the Heaven side does almost sound like something MGK would write, and a lot of these I don't see myself coming back to very much. But the hell side does have more tracks I see myself coming back more, and some of these also for some reason reminds me of Rise Against, especially Rise Up, whose intro to me sounds like the main riff of Chamber The Cartidge sped up more, and the closer to this album "How The End Begins", is one of the best from this album for me. I hope to see them at least once before the break up for good!
I think this album is a mixed bag
Just listened to it a couple hours ago, the first half is so underwhelming with everything feeling so samey and not leaving much of an impact, really wished they leaned more into the recent style, the topics of teenage relationship drama doesn’t really feel genuine when your now 15-20 years beyond that point in your life. I really wished this was better
Even as obsessed as I get with a band's new material, I only have come back to about 6/20 tracks (I Can't Wait, Bad Mistake, Johnny Libertine, Stranger in these Times, I Don't Need Anyone, Not Quite Myself) I definitely feel they could've written better songs but a lot of them were made when Deryck writing for other artists, he just ended up liking them enough to put on a Sum 41 album, sad to see them go, but this band will always be one of my all time favorites
Very much agree with you on this one. The Heaven side is really where the project is lacking but the Hell side is pretty consistent.
I do think Heaven has its highlights, for me it's Bad Mistake & Future Primitive. About half of the Heaven side is kinda solid but those are the 2 songs I can see myself coming back to every once in a while. Maybe Not Quite Myself too. But yeah, MGK pop punk was definitely what I heard in tracks like Landmines, Time Won't Wait and Dopamine. I still like pop punk Sum 41 a lot though. I really like All Killer, Does This Look Infected and even Underclass Hero, which ik not everyone does. So Heaven being this generic in comparison was disappointing for me.
Hell was much better. Really feels like the continuation of Order in Decline. It is very consistent. Really only It's All Me is the only relative lowpoint on Hell while House of Liars and Rise Up were my personal highlights from this side. There isn''t really anything bad on Hell though like there is on Heaven
Overall, I consider Heaven a 5/10 and Hell an 8/10. Combined they get a 6.5/10. Overall I'd have to rank this as the 2nd weakest project of their discography, just above Half Hour of Power (which I only just heard for the first time yesterday). Heaven is definitely the side that drags the project down to 2nd last. If I were to rank Heaven & Hell as different albums, Hell would be higher up in the ranking
I think that Landmines is good, but Waiting On A Twist of Fate is my favorite. I also like Bad Mistake, Not Quite Myself, and I Can't Wait.
I think this album is great. BUT…. Not worthy of being a final album! I actually disagree though on which side is better. The Hell side really let me down. It all seemed devoid of emotion with only a couple songs sticking out. And Dave’s solos were very copy and paste. 🤷♂️ That Rolling Stones cover was a banger though!! I loved the Heaven Side!! But even though I loved the Heaven side, even that wasn’t as great as it could have been. Landmines, Dopamine, and Time Won’t Wait (which I know got some hate) are standouts to me. And Johnny Libertine gives Green Day St. Jimmy vibes!!
I enjoyed a lot of the album but wasn't fond of the singles they put out for it.