twenty one pilots - Clancy - Album Review
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- For this album review, twenty one pilots revisit and deconstruct their past on a contentious new album...
Best Songs: 'Overcompensate', 'Midwest Indigo', 'Navigating', 'Oldies Station', 'Snapback'
Worst Song: ‘Lavish'
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twenty one pilots - Clancy - Album Review (pop rock)
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Spectrum Pulse is a music review / commentary channel, like colleagues Anthony Fantano of TheNeedleDrop, ARTV, Dead End Hip Hop, Rocked, Deep Cuts, Crash Thompson, Brad Taste, and plenty others, known for discussions of music, movies, art and culture.
Spectrum Pulse, music, review, 2024, album, album review, react, reaction, On The Pulse, twenty one pilots, twenty one pilots review, twenty one pilots album review, twenty one pilots reaction, twenty one pilots Clancy, twenty one pilots Clancy review, twenty one pilots Clancy album review, twenty one pilots Clancy reaction, Clancy, Overcompensate, Next Semester, Backslide, Midwest Indigo, Routines In the Night, Vignette, Lavish, The Craving, Navigating, Snap Back, Oldies Station, At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb, Paladin Strait, pop rock, Clique
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#SpectrumPulse #twentyonepilots #clancy
See.. this guy sounds to me like a good critic I can listen to, even if I don't share some of his opinions, but he elaborates and is really good at communicating (I don't feel the same with brad videos)
I will subscribe because I like the review even being a fan ❤
PS: Also he reminds me a little to the first tøp drummer 🗿😎
i genuinely snickered at the caprisun line on lavish mostly because i can exactly picture tyler joseph doing that, and it just reminds me of the stressed out music video
I’m learning that I just don’t have what it takes to be a music critic as I listen to mixed reviews on this album lol.
This album strikes me as their best ever… is it just because it’s the latest thing from my favorite band? Could be… but I haven’t felt like every single song on a TøP album was this good have I?
I don’t know… I just know that I’m absolutely loving this album and hope whatever this band does in their future expands upon it. This album strikes a chord for me with everything I’ve always loved about them, and it feels it’s just done much better on Clancy than ever before. 🤷♂️
as someone who loved trench (and loves mutemath) and is honestly not invested in the lore at all I am absolutely loving this, though I also get your perspective
same!
you are so incredibly right about the general media discourse focus on cataloging every miniscule detail of "lore" as opposed to recognizing the emotional narrative it spins. been thinking about that privately for too long, if i'm being honest
This album kind of hit me in the feels. It had an emotional effect for some reason. I honestly love it.
I’m in the minority too in that I feel like Paul Meany’s production and writing on trench and even more so on this album are too intrusive and overpowering. But Tyler must like it and he’s very loyal so I don’t see this stopping. May as well call the band Mutemath Pilots at this point. Also they have taken influences from other bands and done little with them to make them their own. Much of the time I feel like I’m listening to an homage, rather than an amalgam. It feels like there’s not enough twenty one pilots in twenty one pilots anymore. And I’m very sad about that.
One little piece of depth in enjoyed is how there’s a lot of details to predict the ending of Paladin, meeting Blurryface and going back to the beginning. Even with Midwest Indigo after Backslide, which is a song about Tyler’s home state (hell, Clancy being named after the road he grew up in) or “where he started from” only to confirm the relapse of those negative thoughts and habits of that era around Snap Back. I think it’s less trying to escape the past but trying to make amends with it to move on (themes present in Next Semester and Oldies Station).
Still, I liked this album quite a bit! I’m glad it’s not Trench 2, but I do enjoy the production and hooks on this one. My biggest issue is really just the pacing, Next Semester has no business being the second track and thematically makes no sense in the first half (it would’ve fit snuggly after Navigating, maybe bump Snap Back down one too so Oldies can follow it up). Overcompensate being Trench bait would’ve made more sense with Backslide after it, sort of outlining leaving Trench behind and instead going back to older sounds.
Still though, I don’t think the context is too important to enjoy the album. There’s enough to love sonically and melodically to not understand all of it imo. Still, I personally love hearing the perspective of someone who isn’t on board with this.
Ya know it’s interesting… in the opening to Overcompensate and the “Welcome back to Trench”, Tyler sings the infamous line from Bandito “I created this world to feel some control, I can destroy it if I want to…”
Your thoughts made me think of something… what if he sings that line because in a way, this album works at destroying that world… maybe he chose that lyric because it was foreshadowing the subtext of the album. 🤨
I will say the pacing is weird on Clancy, it doesn’t flow as smoothly as previous albums. Overcompensate to Next Semester to backslide it just weird sounding and I agree Next Semester should have come after Navigating. I think they ordered it that way because they chose the three singles and they wanted to release everything in order with the music videos, so the three singles became the first three songs. Which is also weird because I listened to those so many times that when I listen to the album now, I just start at Midwest Indigo because the rest of the tracks are fresher to me. I love the album but I think Tyler’s insistence on doing music videos and dropping them all on release day sort of hurt the overall experience of the album itself.
I’m surprised at how much I clicked with this album given how indifferent I felt towards the singles (excluding Next Semester, which has grown on me). I don’t think it’s their best album by any means - Trench still holds that spot for me - but the songwriting feels more personal than ever and Meany’s production is leagues above anything on SAI (sorry).
I feel like TOP are wearing their influences on their sleeves the most they ever have - Coldplay, the Killers, Death Cab, even Tame Impala. It’s perhaps the most pop/rock and least ‘TOP’ the band has ever sounded lol and I’m honestly not mad about it.
As for the lore… I just don’t think I care that much about it. And I’m saying this as a fan that’s been keeping pace with the storyline since Blurryface. I think sometimes fans forget that music videos and other sources (like the demaorg letters) have always done the heavy lifting when it comes to the lore - not the song lyrics. Still, I feel like Clancy addresses many of the core lore themes - mental health, cycles, hope and community. Just maybe not with the same impact that Trench did. And it’s worth it to note that there’s a theory going around of a potential deluxe/double album coming soon to wrap up the Dema storyline… so there may be more the band has to say lore-wise.
Anyways I’ll stop rambling - great review! Agree that Midwest Indigo and Navigating are standouts. And Lavish is… whatever Lavish is 😂 music video gave me a good laugh though
this was a really good review, mark, hope this slips under your radar before the stand come in to um actually you.
As someone whose pretty positive on Scaled and Icy, I wish I liked this album more than I do. It's a good album, and I feel I'll probably warm up to it more over time, but I'm not quite there yet and it's frustrating.
Glad we agree that fuelled by ramen cant push out a single to save their lives, Saturday (i was one of the few that liked that song, i found it fun to this day, its like espresso by sabrina, overproduced for sure but fun so who cares?? Songs of the summer should be overproduced, it's just that vibe.) And the outside would've been successful in summer of 21 if they did know how to market correctly which is sad. But about the album, at first i really liked it, and then i came back to a lot of songs and I can't really remember much outside of what i found weak in snap back and what i found really strong in others. I would say everything in between leaves much to be desired for me.
Snap back and lavish meander way too long, but lavish has an okay instrumental, snap back barely has one, as far as I'm concerned there's just a drumbeat and it gets really tiresome and pointless for me to listen to it, navigating is a bit annoying in the hook but instrumental, at the risk of feeling dumb goes back to older sounds but is quite forgettable and don't land their feet enough, i think if risk was more of the rock song it teases to be, it would have a lot more energy than continuing the reggae aspects of blurryface, and Vignette has a really strong instrumental but vocally doesn't quite satisfy me.
On the other hand paladin strait is one of the best melodies they've done with super tasteful production and a trip hop influence i can really appreciate, it sounds fresh and full of energy. Routines in the night is one of their catchiest songs yet, whilst being very minimalist production wise, i think it plays with dynamics and does everything well for me to be really satisfied with it, the melody is really strong and I can't really get bored of it. Backslide is one of their best songs for sure with the lyrics about not wanting to regress to what was but knowing you sometimes have to, the tasteful outro, the verses being delivered really strongly and that chorus really grew on me. Overcompensate is a really strong opener and i find that chorus to be really catchy, Midwest Indigo is also very catchy and i like the energy it has, and the twinkling synths are really nice, its a bit of a matured vessel, which makes its placement after backslide quite ironic, probably deliberate, i do like that about it.
The craving (album) is one of the highlights as i think the lyrics are really sweet and it breaks the record up well, and my favourite song is next semester as the energy soars and lyrical content is really special, it is a nonstop euphoric hit of a hook and energy throughout is cathartic, anxious and intense, an energy they rarely touch on but given the subject matter it works really well. Decided I'd listen to oldies station again as I couldn't really remember much about it as you were saying it was one of the most mature songs they've ever done, I agree, this is actually a big strength to the album and is probably now my second favourite. The lyrics are so heartfelt and mature and I really appreciate them writing a song like this that talks about the actual problems of looking back, but also having to deal with expectations, losing family and close others but trying to push on through amongst all that. Really brilliant writing and I think this will be one of the ones to really age the best out of the tracklist.
Its a bit of a mixed bag but i dont find much i dislike about it, feeling a high 6, maybe a low 7 on this, i do slightly prefer scaled because i think more songs in stand out as really good moments but the songs that stand out well here are a lot better as songs as the scaled ones, hence the ever so slight preference.
The best tracks on the album for me were vignette, routines in the night and navigate, the rest of the album was average and didn't sound that interesting. Its definetly better than scaled and icy in my opinion but not better than blurry face or trench. Trench is still their best album in recent memory. Scaled and icy was garbage
It sounds like you just want cookie cutter, catchy happy pop songs. That's not what twenty-one pilots are about. You bring up constantly in this video about being disappointed with how imperfect some of the songs are. But twenty-one pilots have never fit any kind of mold. And their shit has always been a bit wacky.. Can't say that I agree with much of your "critique" Not that critics themselves have much talent. If they did, they'd be musicians
See, here's the funny thing: if the band is really damn good at making pop music - be it "happy" or not - it's going to be noticeable if they start purposefully dodging it. So when you examine the artistic purpose of it, and realize that the execution is just not nearly as interesting in the content or production, I'm gonna call it out.
And while I could be snide and say 'you try making thousands of reviews on a consistent schedule on channel for over a decade and then tell me how much 'talent' is needed', the truth is that being a critic requires an entirely different skillset than a musician - writing, analysis, delivery, etc. Most critics aren't good musicians, but also vice-versa, whether you agree with that or not.
I absolutely loved Trench. It’s my favorite album of all time. Sheer perfection. We’re all going to like and take different things from each album. SAI was good but not my cup of tea as compared to their other albums. I enjoyed it and saw four of the shows that era, but I’m loving this new album. I like a heavier sound, the dirtier bass, the additional rap, less Elton John piano, etc. I did think we’d get more lore, but I’m not convinced they’re done surprising us. I’m hoping the Paladin Strait vid is eye opening. Ultimately, I like whatever Tyler creates because I have so much respect for him and how much effort and work he puts into everything. He does not let me down.
The metathread was given the spotlight, I think the "I created a monster with the lore" concept works, UNLESS the clique is right and there will be one more album after all. Scaled and Icy was actually a great album, its earlier tracks that are bona fide, should have charted on billboard pop hits, and obviously the last couple tracks being formidable darker tone "lore related" material. This is either him saying "ive got more to tell before its over" or "its time to lay it to rest". I still feel that "final battle"could have worked, even with this metatext, would have worked. Also yes, I have to say yes some of your comments on the production are extremely valid. I also know you arent amongst the legion of Trench fans, but personally I hope the wrap up has not occured yet, but does occur soon, because I think even Tyler knows this lens that is the lore is wearing thin. Still like maybe a 7, 8, or even 9/10 if we were to slap my personal rating on it.
I wonder how much of the drab sound is from Paul Meany’s influence. I’m not a fan of Mutemath, and haven’t like the little samples of Paul’s contributions to TOP albums. But I know Tyler and Josh were big fans of Mutemath.
That said, this album is growing on me and I’m glad there are only a couple of lore-heavy songs. The themes of mental health struggles stand alone without the world.
I'm a twenty one pilots fan but I left thr clique after Trench released cause of how insufficient they are. This is my 3rd favourite album by them but you do make alot of good points.
Please clique can you be nice for once? This review is fine.
I feel bad for Brad Taste, they berated him so much he said he’s not gonna review any of their future projects
@@georgeandfriendsadventures5073 Isn't it much better? I think Brad shouldnt even review any album or music. He straight up disrespects all other artists by goofing around rage baiting. Also even if clique is attacking him I think thats obvious since hes a "critic". By diverting all the attention to the clique fandom he didn't realize himself being in the wrong.
@@pheonixx2861 Yeah but you cannot say there isn’t some serious issues with Clancy
@@georgeandfriendsadventures5073 Depends. People have different opinions. I love the album because I already made an opinion of mine before these critics review them. No one can manipulate me into thinking that the album is bad if brad rated it 39/100
@@pheonixx2861 I mean there’s some opinions I heavily disagree that he’s made, but saying he should straight up not review anything because you don’t agree with his opinions is stupid
"Clancy" is fine but wow there's some whack lines on this project. That second verse on "Lavish" is a whole load of what the hell.
I think this is my favorite review of Clancy. You go so in depth with your explanation and even though I personally love this album, I understand every point you make as well. Thank you for giving this album a fair shot and I really enjoyed this.
I can’t really get behind the idea that the production of Trench or Clancy is “drab” or “not colorful”. There’s a lot of nuance within the production choices that Paul Meany provides and the textural and mixing choices on both of those records are still colorful in their execution (aside from the synth in Midwest Indigo). I feel like a lot of the production in Vessel and Blurryface was too abrasive and very on the nose a lot of times. That’s just me tho.
I think where Clancy really falls short for me is in the arrangements and writing. Despite the tracks sounding great from a mixing standpoint, a lot of the songs just don’t go anywhere musically. Routines In The Night, Lavish, and Snap Back being the most egregious of examples imo. And there’s also tracks that are too on the nose with the lore in it’s lyricism that they don’t really work well as songs of their own. Idk. It’s honestly a 6/10 for me.
I am a huge fan of TOP. But I have to say you did have some good criticism’s of the album. So I respect that so much. Glad you’re not a Fantano or Brad, but actually gave it a chance. ✌🏻
I’m in the minority so it seems as well. I couldn’t get into Trench, and I’m not digging Clancy either. I would rather listen to Vessel, Blurryface, and Scaled & Icy.
Paladin strait is a masterpiece ending song , idea and the album is so great. Its trench 2.0 which is the greatest indie pop album ever made. Lol blurryface was great ,scaled was a letdown in a weird way but it grows. Then this was a mix of every style. Had lore that didnt take away. Have songs lk lavish lol to a ballad to old school type tunes. Some scaled even then new sounds lk vignette, routines, jens song to the ending songs , it starts returning to trench. We get a better shy away with semester. Overcomp takes us back to trench. On and on. Putting videos to each is cool concept wise. I think this was a great no skip album. The next one will be so interesting without the lore and that can do whatever at this point. Even the stage show of scaled was great. Sound wise, its mixed to beyond perfection, the production sounds masterfully done. Maybe it was the audio was different on stream. Midwest is vessel like as well. The bass addition is very helpful. I will say they stayed to the formula and didnt stray much , i think next time we will get something extremely interesting. Im hoping the lore ends though. Still this album is a solid 8.
I enjoyed the record, at least more than Trench(yeah I also did not cared for that album too much) but definitely not perfect
Clancy and Scaled and Icy are their mature albums to date. Trench is their best work, Blurryface is their breakthrough album that took them over to the pop world, Vessel is an album that increase the fan base for TOP.
this album definitely doesn’t hit as hard as their last three, but i still adore oldies station (it kinda reminds me of their blurry face era pop songs and that is a huge compliment), overcompensate, navigating, and i do really like the craving, because i’m currently trying to get through a rough patch in my long term relationship and it hits hard.
Oldies Station was one of my favorites
Love your comments on the meta text! I found that the production actually quite works for me especially how restrained next semester can feel despite its bombast
this album is the definition of a 5/10 to me. half of this album is great while the other half is quite bad. i kinda feel the same towards their discography lol
i feel so bad for bradtasteinmusic because the fans went off on him after he said he didnt really feel the project, guys chill tf out
I personally like the album but I understood his criticism with it, a lot of stuff 21 pilots does is kind of cringe
@@georgeandfriendsadventures5073like what?
@@jimbob2427 A lot of the stuff on Vessel and Blurryface
@@georgeandfriendsadventures5073name it
Yeah I do too, I don't agree with some of it but could see where he was coming from, I actually like Vignette but he hates it and I see why, it's very vessel meets blurry face with trench production and if you don't like the singing style of that album, then you're not gonna like it.
I like your reviews and have played this album once and enjoyed it - your review focuses on viewers who know the band a little which is fine - don't forget those who have never heard of this band
While I disagree with alot here seeing someone who finally appreciates scaled and icy making a review was refreshing and you had a some valid criticisms for the album. Hopefully clancy ultimate chapter whatever that will be will be more lore focused and then Im excited to see where they go after that.
It’s my favorite album yet and I’ve been a fan since regional at best
Gonna watch the rest of the video in a minute but I just gotta say I TOTALLY called your best/worst here: with Navigating, Oldies Station and Midwest Indigo being on the top and Lavish being the worst (I actually thought Routines in the Night would be in the worst as well but close enough).
Anyways, this album borders greatness but I’m struggling with its narrative arc and trying to place it into reality as opposed to lore, which puts me at a distance, interested to see what you say.
I loved Trench for how lore focused it was while providing great hooks, and Scaled and Icy for having the bright and positive sound with dark undertones that came to fruition by the end. But this feels more like Blurryface, where there’s a majority of tracks that don’t focus on the lore or even reference it. But on the supposed ENDING TO THE DEMA LORE this felt underwhelming.
Nice review.
Trench is their only good album