The lyrics criticism is weird. I feel like reading out deliberately silly, wry or sarcastic lyrics in a dry, humourless tone whilst claiming they're trying to be profound is just a massive misreading of the album. Like, you just read out the lyrics to Bark at the Moon and didn't offer any real commentary on why you think that's a bad lyric. To me, it's a funny song about someone who has nothing to offer his potential date because he hasn't experienced anything in life and spends most of his time in his room playing Guitar Hero. I don't see anything bad about that.
Yea Fantano does this from time to time in reviews and it’s a bit bizarre. Any lyric will sound terrible when read in that tone. Sometimes he decides to take lyrics a bit too literally
@@shortai2I don’t know about that. I think what works well in this album is MJ Lenderman’s ability (like Wednesday) to spin a myriad of mundane lyrics about everyday situations into a rich tapestry, spinning incredible stories out of it. Even if you don’t take the lyrics as ironic, they are still pretty solid from a songwriting perspective. Fantano missed the mark with this one.
@@Bringadingus wrong. incredibly rich guitar textures, catchy songs, unique lyrics with a lot of wit. this is one of the most interesting alt country records to come out in the last decade
@@Bringadingusalthough i agree that fantano is right with his criticism here this album is still a fun listen, also the first half of mj lenderman self titled is perfect if you haven't listened to it yet but the rest is pretty generic boring slowcore
@@toatsmagoats72 nah I've been aware of Tony's reviews but I frankly don't care about a 6 for Twisted Fantasy, for instance. I would've expected the man to give this album at least a 5/10, it feels like a 3 is just stretching it and that he is hating all over MJ Lenderman just because he wanted to find an artist to detest in 2024.
@@diego_8626 my general experience is that I only look up album reviews for albums I really like and he consistently disappoints. Calling this a 3 is absurd but not inconsistent. Compare with his Alex G reviews which if I recall correctly, they are all criminally low. I suspect there are whole genres he doesn't fully understand/appreciate.
@@ThomAvella idc if you did ctrl+ c, it’s not like it’s a unique joke lol. But are you saying you didn’t copy and paste? it’s letter for letter including the uncapitalized i’s, pretty unlikely we typed the same thing
Honestly dumbfounded at how you could listen to this album, break down the lyrics, and not get that the tone is overwhelmingly tongue-in-cheek and appreciative of the mundane. No yeah man, MJ Lenderman was really trying to tug at your heartstrings with the "Rip Torn" joke, what a blunder lol. He's writing about playing guitar hero because of what a unique and subversive experience that is. Delete this nephew
Ok even though I don’t think this album is mind blowing or the savior of indie or whatever, I genuinely cannot fathom listening to Wristwatch, Joker Lips, or You Don’t Know the Shape I’m in and thinking “this is bad”
That was my thought. While this album isn't something groundbreaking, it's definitely better than the majority of the other recent crap that's out there, and definitely better than a 3 out of 10.
@@Sucharush31 but the album plays more with stuff from north carolina as a whole. the rural americana is highly relatable to me, someone from a nothing town in NC, even if MJ is from Asheville which is more trendy. Also several of the areas surrounding asheville are pretty poor rural areas so i don’t know if it’s fair to say that someone from the asheville area can’t know abt rural america
it's really refreshing to me that this album is a bunch of silly songs about shitty dudes. it's a breath of fresh air from the "confessional" style of lyrics that's so popular in indie music
In an era where so much music leans into being over the top and packed full ideas etc, it is refreshing to hear an album practice restraint and let its melodies, vocals, and lyrics breathe.
Paraphrase: "In an era where so much music tries to be meaningful or tell a story, it is refreshing to hear an album make no such attempt and let its bland singing, melodies, and non sequitur lyrics air out."
@@deannickname it's the between the lines of what you're saying, negatively cast. i don't see why having fewer full ideas and thus letting meaningless, non sequitur lyrics breathe is a good thing
The fact that you can give something as vapid and self congratulatory as Pure Comedy a 9 and something this thoughtful and unpretentious a 3 tells me everything I need to know about your understanding of poetry
Pure Comedy is great, if not self-indulgent, but it doesn’t need to be shredded down to say that this album is also great. I think those are a great representation of the styles of poetry and how well it can work in opposite ways. Love both records. Melon has lost the plot on this one.
@@Kingofsweaters no, I think pure comedy is a bad album. It's the polar opposite of this album in terms of both quality (imo) and textual meaning. As I said, this is a perfect example of Fantano's understanding of poetry. His readings rarely go beyond surface level.
This is wild for someone so into Kurt Vile. How you going to love a lyric like "phone jumped off the table, guess he wanted to kill himself" and not get that this album is using laziness as a tone and character?
I can't imagine liking Kurt Vile more than Lenderman. Kurt Vile barely has melodies at all and I find his songs more repetitive and lazy than these. I don't get it.
Reviews i’ve had beef with : Butterflies - Kacey Musgraves 4/10 Mid Air - Paris Texas 3/10 Care For Me - Saba Meh/10 Blue Weekend - Wolf Alice 4/10 Ohms - Deftones 3/10 The Ooz - King Krule 4/10 I Let It In - Loathe 6/10 Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey 2/10 Birds In - Travis Scott 3/10 Because The Internet 5/10 Welcome MJ Lenderman
@@VKeurick facts. It was generally consistent. Definitely felt like radio bait but at minimum was a 7/10 at least. “Pick up the phone” is one of the best trap melodic pop songs ever. “The Ends/Way Back” was a great album starter as well.
@@ben-d yes. I atleast have it as an 8-9. Two way mirror, sad cartoon , Is it really you? are some of my all time favorite tracks for the Alt-Metal genre.
frankly confused how he failed read between the lines on the abstract lyrical moments? bc yes a break up track has been written a billion times, yet MJ managed to make a fresh take on it by abstracting the motivations to a metaphor of Las Vegas. while this isn’t anything truly mindblowing, I find MJ’s writing refreshing because it doesn’t take itself too seriously
He also basically didn't mention the guitar work at all aside from the end of bark at the moon lmao, some of the best guitar production i have ever heard. Truly a baffling review
@@tjr930 This is just my personal interpretation, but: Thinking Vegas is beautiful because of the lights is valuing something for its superficial appeal. That translates into the man only valuing the woman for her superficial appearance, ignoring her deeper qualities and assumably leading to their breakup. Vegas casinos give out free rooms, buffets, and other rewards so they can get people to gamble more. The casino calculates that they will actually make more money this way. The house always wins, but here the man feels lucky so he chooses to indulge in gambling anyway. This paints the picture of a self-destructive guy who coasts through life without really considering what consequences his actions will have on himself and others. And when things go awry because of this, he just repeats the cycle again.
Gotta new step-dad He’s a dentist Lotta silver and gold Too bad its unfulfilling Broke into his office Stole a tank of nitric Even Neil Young got old Paw Patrol Long Covid Dennis Rodman - MJ Letterman
This is like the ultimate proof that music is entirely subjective. The exact reasons that fantano HATES the lyrics are the same reasons that Lenderman’s fans LOVE the lyrics. It’s simply a matter of personal taste. There’s no way for a critic to “objectively” decide what’s right or wrong
@@brockmccaw4259 I think you should read the other comments on this video, and the comments on all of his unpopular reviews. No reason to come at me so aggressively, just pointing out how some aspects of songwriting will affect people in completely different ways. Calm down.
@@johnnyjohnnyson4672 I'm making fun of you dude. You had an insight about art that a 3rd grader would have. Just because ppl think the stuff you say is dumb and make fun of you for it doesn't mean they're not calm lol
@@brockmccaw4259it’s not about it being a new deduction, it’s about this review being a strong test case. read between the lines and maybe the lines themselves homie, low insult
melon you don't get countrygaze yet, I reckon you'll change your mind on this one. I can absolutely understand some of the gripes you had with this and Rat Saw God, they're not flawless but you've written them off way too harshly
Rage listening to this album now and love it even more. From the very first line: Birds against a heavy wind that wins in the end. How can you not feeeeeel that line in your bones? The slow, lazy delivery immediately setting up the vibe of the album and the slacker ethos - that life is pointless and arduous, yet you carry on. Near every line hits me like this. So simply put, still with so much weight. I could go on.
@@martstin you don’t think the artists who influenced MJ are just better version of MJ? I have the same issue with Greta Van Fleet, and felt like a lot of “Rich Men of North Richmond’s” success was rooted in ppl being exposed to an underappreciated genre
@@samwilliams7067 I can see that, for sure. I still thought this album was a unique expression of the genre, even if not the BEST expression. Lenderman doesn't feel derivative to me in the same way as Greta Van Fleet. He's authentic. I'm not sure these songs would hit me like they did if he wasn't.
Daaaaamn, man. This album brought a tear to my eye the other day whilst driving in to my dead-end job, AND I said to my wife I'd travel to Melbourne to see him again when he comes back and she said she would too. Plus, I've even said that dude is one of fhe best we got in Singer-Songwriter World in a loooooong time to Patterson Hood (on instagram, he didn't reply). Lenderman rules.
That has to be the biggest misunderstanding of the topic of „She’s Leaving You” I’ve heard. wow. Expecting a backstory from a song about the sadness of moving on and forgetting about your ex is crazy
Saw Wednesday live over the summer. They did a Drive By Truckers cover and MJ took over the vocals for the song. He had such an impressive command over the song and demanded full attention from the audience. I knew at that point that he'd be around for a while.
I really liked this album, but it feels weird that people cant understand why others wouldnt. A lot of the lyrics here are really silly and if they dont hit u right they can come across as annoying. And the album isnt super impressive instrumentally so if the lyrics dont work for u the whole thing can fall apart. I think a light 3 is extremley harsh and feels a bit contrarion, but i understand not enjoying the album.
I have to agree. My first listen of the full album concluded with the feeling that it was really good. I enjoyed it. As well as the influences listed here, I heard Teenage Fan Club and Wilco. Great touchstones, however on the second and subsequent album plays it started to reveal as something less than promised. As Mr F eloquently explains, lyrically is where it most significantly falls short of the mark. Pitchfork quotes some of MJ L’s lines, before referencing Warren Zevon, Jason Molina and Neil Young. Maybe someday but most definitely not on Manning Fireworks. This album is 90 per cent aspiration. The second half of the last track, Bark At The Moon, provides the best example. Nearly five minutes of guitar feedback. Neil Young’s feedback is delivered as visceral anger and gives no quarter. In comparison Lenderman’s sounds like a polite “would you mind if I…?”, which does equally well as a metaphor for the whole album.
I suppose I could understand giving this album like a 5 or 6 but 3 is just absurd IMO. I can't believe he referred to the solo at the end of She's leaving You as "lazy". That's one of the high points on the album for fucks sake. Phenomenal album, Fantano is missing out big time.
Lol, why am I pissed watching this right now? I'm finding myself tightening my fist watching this. I guess that's the thing with art, open to interpretation but like damnnn. Fantono reading the lyrics off in a "are we kidding voice" while I'm in my car everyday singing that shit PASSIONATELY at full blast with a tear in my eye.
@@boomcrayon That’s a matter of opinion my guy. I recognize that it probably doesn’t come off in my comment, but I don’t dislike Porter’s writing. I just think it is similarly referential and wink-y. Melon could’ve taken all of those lyrics and mockingly read them out loud and it would’ve come off just as ridiculous.
i legit fear that fantanos ear may be aging a bit. this review feels out of touch i think all of us become grumpy old heads at some point but sucks to see that starting to happen i guess
First time I heard Lenderman it was Someone get the grill out of the rain. I listened to that song like 9 times in a row. I thought of Ronnie Wood. Gram Parsons too. And Sparklehorse. Then I watched the video and I see Lenderman in a Wipers t-shirt and I was like okay, nothing about this guy is a put-on. He's a fucking great poet, reminds me of Tweedy, all those internal rhymes and non sequiturs that aren't in the end because there's so much heart and vulnerability bringing it all together.
Someone doesn’t have a houseboat docked at the himbo dome
Or a wristwatch that's a pocketknife and a megaphone
or at the Dimmadome
Just mad that his ex wife is there
THERE IS NO DELETED SCENE FROM CARS!!!!!
Nice
This is my MBDTF review.
Hello the_okayest_computer
This and a hero's death by fontaines
I saw the thumbnail and said the same thing to myself lmao
Except MBDTF was a positive review so now it’s even worse 😂
This was The National - Trouble Will Find Me for me
The lyrics criticism is weird. I feel like reading out deliberately silly, wry or sarcastic lyrics in a dry, humourless tone whilst claiming they're trying to be profound is just a massive misreading of the album.
Like, you just read out the lyrics to Bark at the Moon and didn't offer any real commentary on why you think that's a bad lyric. To me, it's a funny song about someone who has nothing to offer his potential date because he hasn't experienced anything in life and spends most of his time in his room playing Guitar Hero. I don't see anything bad about that.
True. It's also a super relatable lyric. That's how I used to be in my late teens and early 20's.
Yea Fantano does this from time to time in reviews and it’s a bit bizarre. Any lyric will sound terrible when read in that tone. Sometimes he decides to take lyrics a bit too literally
@@akg7915 "On Smells Like Teen Spirit, Kurt sings, "An albino. My libido". Real deep Kurt".
Even considering the lyrics are ironic, they are still pretty bad.
@@shortai2I don’t know about that. I think what works well in this album is MJ Lenderman’s ability (like Wednesday) to spin a myriad of mundane lyrics about everyday situations into a rich tapestry, spinning incredible stories out of it. Even if you don’t take the lyrics as ironic, they are still pretty solid from a songwriting perspective. Fantano missed the mark with this one.
People asking him to review this got a real monkey's paw wish huh
Mmm hmm
Wym this is some of the funniest shit I've seen all year in the comments, cept maybe all the brat haters on that one review
Pitchfork gave this an 8.7. I hate it when mommy and daddy fight.
The Ooz part two
Pitchfork always underestimates good albums, like MGMT and First aid Kit
Fantano's right on this one. Lenderman's never been very interesting or original, but this is insanely bad. Bland, creatively bankrupt, lazy, stupid.
@@Bringadingus wrong. incredibly rich guitar textures, catchy songs, unique lyrics with a lot of wit. this is one of the most interesting alt country records to come out in the last decade
@@Bringadingusalthough i agree that fantano is right with his criticism here this album is still a fun listen, also the first half of mj lenderman self titled is perfect if you haven't listened to it yet but the rest is pretty generic boring slowcore
Guess Fantano has never visited the Carolinas or been stuck behind a DUI scooter
Precisely
He never been underneath a half mast Mcdonalds flag
Ok this is genuinely the first take that I'm unironically appalled at
@@diego_8626 it’s a nonsensical review
you're new here, huh?
@@toatsmagoats72 nah I've been aware of Tony's reviews but I frankly don't care about a 6 for Twisted Fantasy, for instance. I would've expected the man to give this album at least a 5/10, it feels like a 3 is just stretching it and that he is hating all over MJ Lenderman just because he wanted to find an artist to detest in 2024.
@@diego_8626 my general experience is that I only look up album reviews for albums I really like and he consistently disappoints. Calling this a 3 is absurd but not inconsistent. Compare with his Alex G reviews which if I recall correctly, they are all criminally low. I suspect there are whole genres he doesn't fully understand/appreciate.
Worst melon take of the year???
He needs 1 or 2 to keep the viewership up
Might be worst ever
Sky hundred
Definitely
Definitely Parannoul. He didn’t even name any song by name in that review, just says “the songs.” It’s also a horrible review & not just a bad score.
fantano just gave it a 3 because she’s leaving you was too personal for him
That is HARSH 💀
☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
lmaoooooo
hahahaha
Yikes
nice job with the album. unfortunately i have made a video where i read the lyrics in a condescending tone
nice album you got there
be a shame
if someone were to
read the lyrics from it in a condescending tone
weird seeing a rym comment I made copy and pasted on UA-cam 😂
@@dylnn-music you don't own every thought that comes out of your head
@@ThomAvella idc if you did ctrl+ c, it’s not like it’s a unique joke lol. But are you saying you didn’t copy and paste? it’s letter for letter including the uncapitalized i’s, pretty unlikely we typed the same thing
@dylnn-music it's a very popular meme format lol
MJ dropping in 2024 and getting a 3? So much for “King of Pop”
MJ dropping in 2024 and getting a 3? So much for "two threepeats"
The fact MJ isn't canceled in 2024 and able to get a 3 blows my mind. Like he blew me in 2003 😅
stop
This is the wort thing to ever happen in the month of September
Nah the worst is Billie Joe Armstrong staying asleep the whole month
Without a doubt
yeah, it was wort
wort
😢ĥ a ca z nm q😮😮ì9@@SantanaThePM
it seems that everything I like about this record is what Fantano dislikes… such is the dualistic beauty of art
The analysis on the Vegas lights line actually feels like satire. What are you even talking about?
Honestly dumbfounded at how you could listen to this album, break down the lyrics, and not get that the tone is overwhelmingly tongue-in-cheek and appreciative of the mundane. No yeah man, MJ Lenderman was really trying to tug at your heartstrings with the "Rip Torn" joke, what a blunder lol. He's writing about playing guitar hero because of what a unique and subversive experience that is. Delete this nephew
LMAO
You are spitting cuh
FR i didn’t think it was possible to miss the point so severely
This is what happens when a mf is online too much. They lose any ability to read nuance and take everything way too seriously
fucking lost it at nephew lmaoooo
Ok even though I don’t think this album is mind blowing or the savior of indie or whatever, I genuinely cannot fathom listening to Wristwatch, Joker Lips, or You Don’t Know the Shape I’m in and thinking “this is bad”
That was my thought. While this album isn't something groundbreaking, it's definitely better than the majority of the other recent crap that's out there, and definitely better than a 3 out of 10.
Coastal elites striking down our brave himbo Carolinians
Based
@@Brother-man24
Of course an account named “brother man” would speak the truth
Amen brother (man)
I guess somebodies never sat under a half mast McDonald’s flag
Unhinged
Fucking love that line lol. His lax writing is so great on this.
This is actually insane. This is the first time in almost a decade of watching you where I’m actually pissed
Literally same lmao
Y’all know this is just his opinion, right?
it took a decade?
I absolutely love it. I don’t know anything about this record, but I love seeing you people rage over it. 😂
@@ricosuave69x it's been more then a decade and ppl still never learn
Anthony not understanding the subtle nods to growing up in stroadsy rural america makes this album all the better to me
Asheville is not rural america lol even before it was trendy it still had like 100k people
@@Sucharush31 but the album plays more with stuff from north carolina as a whole. the rural americana is highly relatable to me, someone from a nothing town in NC, even if MJ is from Asheville which is more trendy. Also several of the areas surrounding asheville are pretty poor rural areas so i don’t know if it’s fair to say that someone from the asheville area can’t know abt rural america
I drove through NC recently and Asheville is the middle of nowhere as far as I’m concerned
Yeah as of watching this review I am starting to love the album
absolutely
it's really refreshing to me that this album is a bunch of silly songs about shitty dudes. it's a breath of fresh air from the "confessional" style of lyrics that's so popular in indie music
Far too late, Melon. I've already decided this is one of the best albums I'll hear all year.
Completely. We've needed this for a long time.
Also, the upcoming album by The Hard Quartet sounds like a monster. It's coming out on 10/4. Pretty sure it's going to be sweet.
This is going in the Watch Mojo’s Top 10 worst takes from Anthony Fantano video
Other mentions would be
UFOF
The Ooz
Magdalene
When I Get Home
All Mirrors (he was NOT cooking in 2019)
Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Damn
MBDTF + Yeezus
@@jorgeortega6806 Still not over Magdalene. His take on home with you I think is his worst take of all time
Can we add Ordinary Corrupt Human Love?
While we’re at it, don’t forget about the Care For Me non-review as well…
@@jorgeortega6806I think his Magdalene review was pretty fair
In an era where so much music leans into being over the top and packed full ideas etc, it is refreshing to hear an album practice restraint and let its melodies, vocals, and lyrics breathe.
Paraphrase: "In an era where so much music tries to be meaningful or tell a story, it is refreshing to hear an album make no such attempt and let its bland singing, melodies, and non sequitur lyrics air out."
Nah you just said something entirely different
@@deannickname it's the between the lines of what you're saying, negatively cast. i don't see why having fewer full ideas and thus letting meaningless, non sequitur lyrics breathe is a good thing
@@slightexag lol ok bud
@@slightexag Anthony isn't going to date you bro, it's okay
Brat summer is over, it's time for Manning Fireworks Fall. You can't fight this, Melon.
He could copy and paste all of these criticisms to a Pavement record except call them positives.
Fantano has said that Pavement isn't really "his sound", though, at least a lot of the time. So at least he's pretty consistent.
i want a divorce
Go get married then
Yeesh don’t make him hear that one again 😂
You’ll get it one day bud
Right
this is genuinely your most god-awful take in a long, long time..
Fantano getting too old to appreciate Lenderman's whimsy
My exact thought watching this
You're never living this one down homie
The fact that you can give something as vapid and self congratulatory as Pure Comedy a 9 and something this thoughtful and unpretentious a 3 tells me everything I need to know about your understanding of poetry
Based critique of the critic.
Pure Comedy is great, if not self-indulgent, but it doesn’t need to be shredded down to say that this album is also great. I think those are a great representation of the styles of poetry and how well it can work in opposite ways. Love both records. Melon has lost the plot on this one.
@@Kingofsweaters no, I think pure comedy is a bad album. It's the polar opposite of this album in terms of both quality (imo) and textual meaning. As I said, this is a perfect example of Fantano's understanding of poetry. His readings rarely go beyond surface level.
This years King Krule OOZ review I see.
This is wild for someone so into Kurt Vile. How you going to love a lyric like "phone jumped off the table, guess he wanted to kill himself" and not get that this album is using laziness as a tone and character?
I can't imagine liking Kurt Vile more than Lenderman. Kurt Vile barely has melodies at all and I find his songs more repetitive and lazy than these. I don't get it.
@@forestcochran4196AGREE !!!
Actually the worst video I’ve watched in my life
every riley from hivemind clone just lost their wings
max4cracks
Just saw Riley Savage sink to his knees in a Walmart
I didnt realise how rileycore this album is until now
Bro this is my AOTY (so far). I feel like bald man just committed a hate crime against my family.
That dislike button was getting useless for a while until this video 😭
been watching this guy for 15 years and this is the first time ive ever had to comment how wrong he is lmao
wait the lightning mcqueen line is really good...
ok this is a cinemasins ass review
Literally same lol
Reviews i’ve had beef with :
Butterflies - Kacey Musgraves 4/10
Mid Air - Paris Texas 3/10
Care For Me - Saba Meh/10
Blue Weekend - Wolf Alice 4/10
Ohms - Deftones 3/10
The Ooz - King Krule 4/10
I Let It In - Loathe 6/10
Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey 2/10
Birds In - Travis Scott 3/10
Because The Internet 5/10
Welcome MJ Lenderman
That Wolf Alice review still gives me nightmares
Wait, I Let It In got a 6? Wtf?!?
His Birds review is straight up preposterous
@@VKeurick facts. It was generally consistent. Definitely felt like radio bait but at minimum was a 7/10 at least. “Pick up the phone” is one of the best trap melodic pop songs ever. “The Ends/Way Back” was a great album starter as well.
@@ben-d yes. I atleast have it as an 8-9. Two way mirror, sad cartoon , Is it really you? are some of my all time favorite tracks for the Alt-Metal genre.
You’ve never been more wrong
He’s been more wrong. This ain’t no Swimming
House of Balloons for sure but this is is not far behind
frankly confused how he failed read between the lines on the abstract lyrical moments? bc yes a break up track has been written a billion times, yet MJ managed to make a fresh take on it by abstracting the motivations to a metaphor of Las Vegas. while this isn’t anything truly mindblowing, I find MJ’s writing refreshing because it doesn’t take itself too seriously
He also basically didn't mention the guitar work at all aside from the end of bark at the moon lmao, some of the best guitar production i have ever heard. Truly a baffling review
Seems like Anthony didn't take it too seriously either.
Can you explain the "Vegas lights" / "Feeling lucky" verse? I don't understand it
@@tjr930 This is just my personal interpretation, but:
Thinking Vegas is beautiful because of the lights is valuing something for its superficial appeal. That translates into the man only valuing the woman for her superficial appearance, ignoring her deeper qualities and assumably leading to their breakup.
Vegas casinos give out free rooms, buffets, and other rewards so they can get people to gamble more. The casino calculates that they will actually make more money this way. The house always wins, but here the man feels lucky so he chooses to indulge in gambling anyway.
This paints the picture of a self-destructive guy who coasts through life without really considering what consequences his actions will have on himself and others. And when things go awry because of this, he just repeats the cycle again.
Welcome to another episode of ‘did Fantano and I even listen to the same album?’
MJ tapped on the glass and this mf swam up to say hi
a 3?!
Light 3, even.
Basically a 2 💀💀
You're 12 years too late with this Slenderman review.
😭😭
Gotta new step-dad
He’s a dentist
Lotta silver and gold
Too bad its unfulfilling
Broke into his office
Stole a tank of nitric
Even Neil Young got old
Paw Patrol
Long Covid
Dennis Rodman
- MJ Letterman
This cracked me up. I actually think MJ is occasionally a very effective lyricist but this isn’t that off the mark.
fantano will never understand this record the way i do
Oh my God you’re actually so bald for this one Anthony
This is like the ultimate proof that music is entirely subjective. The exact reasons that fantano HATES the lyrics are the same reasons that Lenderman’s fans LOVE the lyrics. It’s simply a matter of personal taste. There’s no way for a critic to “objectively” decide what’s right or wrong
No one is arguing that music isn't subjective lol are you in 3rd grade
@@brockmccaw4259 I think you should read the other comments on this video, and the comments on all of his unpopular reviews. No reason to come at me so aggressively, just pointing out how some aspects of songwriting will affect people in completely different ways. Calm down.
@@johnnyjohnnyson4672 I'm making fun of you dude. You had an insight about art that a 3rd grader would have. Just because ppl think the stuff you say is dumb and make fun of you for it doesn't mean they're not calm lol
@@brockmccaw4259it’s not about it being a new deduction, it’s about this review being a strong test case. read between the lines and maybe the lines themselves homie, low insult
@@johnnyjohnnyson4672 you got slapped lol
holy fuck this one isn't gonna go down well
melon you don't get countrygaze yet, I reckon you'll change your mind on this one. I can absolutely understand some of the gripes you had with this and Rat Saw God, they're not flawless but you've written them off way too harshly
Worst review yet and I haven't watched.
I thought it was somewhat rational take until you dumped on the lonesome duck walk lyric. Melon just don’t get it.
I’m going to guess that the aftermath of this review will be nothing but respectful and understanding
Huge fucking L this is a 9
Idk man, this thing put me to sleep…unless that’s what MJ intended.
@@donaldhammond627nah obvs it’s all opinion just pretty surprised this one hooked me the moment I heard it
I feel like a 6 or 7 is fair.
It’s bad
Lol these lyrics are so damn bad
An absolutely abysmal take by Melon. Hate to see it
He just disagrees with you, not that deep
@@crazierbird8031A reciew can also be bad. His MBDTF review was horrible. He was the only critic, who gave it a bad review xD
@vampirgirl41 that doesn't mean it's bad, it's completely subjective
No way slenderman
Woah I’ve never heard that joke before
Just because you didn't collect all 8 pages doesn't mean you needes to give Slenderman a 3
Rage listening to this album now and love it even more. From the very first line: Birds against a heavy wind that wins in the end. How can you not feeeeeel that line in your bones? The slow, lazy delivery immediately setting up the vibe of the album and the slacker ethos - that life is pointless and arduous, yet you carry on. Near every line hits me like this. So simply put, still with so much weight. I could go on.
@@martstin you don’t think the artists who influenced MJ are just better version of MJ? I have the same issue with Greta Van Fleet, and felt like a lot of “Rich Men of North Richmond’s” success was rooted in ppl being exposed to an underappreciated genre
@@samwilliams7067 I can see that, for sure. I still thought this album was a unique expression of the genre, even if not the BEST expression. Lenderman doesn't feel derivative to me in the same way as Greta Van Fleet. He's authentic. I'm not sure these songs would hit me like they did if he wasn't.
@@martstin love the response! Keep setting the standard
MJ Lenderman: There's no way my record is as good as people say it is.
Fantano: I'm SO glad you said that because...
Daaaaamn, man. This album brought a tear to my eye the other day whilst driving in to my dead-end job, AND I said to my wife I'd travel to Melbourne to see him again when he comes back and she said she would too. Plus, I've even said that dude is one of fhe best we got in Singer-Songwriter World in a loooooong time to Patterson Hood (on instagram, he didn't reply). Lenderman rules.
That has to be the biggest misunderstanding of the topic of „She’s Leaving You” I’ve heard. wow. Expecting a backstory from a song about the sadness of moving on and forgetting about your ex is crazy
Horrible take. I think that the songwriting here is incredibly substantive and emotionally affecting
* affecting
This a 9
/11
9/100
You would've given this a good score if you had bought yourself a boat.
This guy would hate pavement
MJ: writes a lyric to bring attention to how stupid something sounds
Melon: “gah that sounds stupid”
not your finest work, Tony
Saw Wednesday live over the summer. They did a Drive By Truckers cover and MJ took over the vocals for the song. He had such an impressive command over the song and demanded full attention from the audience. I knew at that point that he'd be around for a while.
Damn, that’s a low score. Good for me. Less Fantano fans at my upcoming MJ show the better.
Open the door, melon. I’m on your porch
yesss people slowly realizing fantano is an outta touch old mannnn
Deleted scene of lightning McQueen blacked at full speed is the best line I’ve heard this year. Fuck ya fantano
Fantano again proving that it's possible to know a lot of music and understand almost none of it lol
this is actually unbelievable
The L's really just keep stacking up here buddy
Not sure which was more devastating for Asheville- hurricane Helene or this review 😢
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I really liked this album, but it feels weird that people cant understand why others wouldnt. A lot of the lyrics here are really silly and if they dont hit u right they can come across as annoying. And the album isnt super impressive instrumentally so if the lyrics dont work for u the whole thing can fall apart. I think a light 3 is extremley harsh and feels a bit contrarion, but i understand not enjoying the album.
Oooooooooh YOURE IN FOR IT NOW ANTHONY
I have to agree. My first listen of the full album concluded with the feeling that it was really good. I enjoyed it. As well as the influences listed here, I heard Teenage Fan Club and Wilco. Great touchstones, however on the second and subsequent album plays it started to reveal as something less than promised. As Mr F eloquently explains, lyrically is where it most significantly falls short of the mark. Pitchfork quotes some of MJ L’s lines, before referencing Warren Zevon, Jason Molina and Neil Young. Maybe someday but most definitely not on Manning Fireworks. This album is 90 per cent aspiration. The second half of the last track, Bark At The Moon, provides the best example. Nearly five minutes of guitar feedback. Neil Young’s feedback is delivered as visceral anger and gives no quarter. In comparison Lenderman’s sounds like a polite “would you mind if I…?”, which does equally well as a metaphor for the whole album.
Lenderman record just made me want to listen to Silver Jews and Magnolia Electric Company
He did this with Mac Demarco reviews too and I feel like somehow it’s connected
I suppose I could understand giving this album like a 5 or 6 but 3 is just absurd IMO. I can't believe he referred to the solo at the end of She's leaving You as "lazy". That's one of the high points on the album for fucks sake. Phenomenal album, Fantano is missing out big time.
Lol, why am I pissed watching this right now? I'm finding myself tightening my fist watching this. I guess that's the thing with art, open to interpretation but like damnnn. Fantono reading the lyrics off in a "are we kidding voice" while I'm in my car everyday singing that shit PASSIONATELY at full blast with a tear in my eye.
He’s overly dismissive and judgmental when he thinks something is cringe
This is very rich from the guy who glazed Porter Robinson’s lyricism
The writing is legit more effective on a recent Porter album than this record
@@boomcrayon That’s a matter of opinion my guy. I recognize that it probably doesn’t come off in my comment, but I don’t dislike Porter’s writing. I just think it is similarly referential and wink-y. Melon could’ve taken all of those lyrics and mockingly read them out loud and it would’ve come off just as ridiculous.
@@davidjones4634 He's not reading them out because they're referential and wink-y he's reading them out because it's weak writing
Now I know my response to "What is my worst take?" if I ever run into you
Seriously, one of your worst reviews in a bit. 🗑️🚮
He genuinely doesn't get it at all lmao
You do NOT know ball.
Probably your worst take ever respectfully
i legit fear that fantanos ear may be aging a bit. this review feels out of touch i think all of us become grumpy old heads at some point but sucks to see that starting to happen i guess
A 3 out of 10?! It’s time to just stop reviewing albums.
It’s not really a huge standout album for me this year but a 3 is a bit harsh imo…
First time I heard Lenderman it was Someone get the grill out of the rain. I listened to that song like 9 times in a row. I thought of Ronnie Wood. Gram Parsons too. And Sparklehorse. Then I watched the video and I see Lenderman in a Wipers t-shirt and I was like okay, nothing about this guy is a put-on. He's a fucking great poet, reminds me of Tweedy, all those internal rhymes and non sequiturs that aren't in the end because there's so much heart and vulnerability bringing it all together.
This one is gonna leave a mark
I remember when your reviews were thoughtful and genuine. Sad to see you become the snide critic.
so it goes, I guess.
He redid his Swimming review--we still have hope fellas
lolll
Sounds like someone doesn’t have a wristwatch that’s a pocketknife and a megaphone
hey it’s his opinion… 🤷🏾♂️. back having fun outside and touching grass and later coming back to my house to watch football & porn.
Loved this album so much. Hits so close to home & captures a feeling that’s so hard to describe. If you get it you get it tbh
UA-cam man don't get it