The Soft Bulletin

Some interesting ideas here that don't always pan out. You can tell they were trying to push in a new direction and I respect that, even if the results are mixed. A couple of tracks are genuinely great.

A monumental achievement in every sense.

The kind of album that makes you want to pick up an instrument.

Not for me at all. I can see the craft but it does absolutely nothing for me.

One of those albums that people praise because it's 'different' and 'challenging' but different and challenging aren't inherently good. The few moments of genuine quality make the rest feel even more disappointing by comparison.

There's a before and after with this album. It changed everything.

Pretentious and meandering. Style over substance.

A mature, confident album that knows exactly what it wants to be. No wasted tracks, no unnecessary detours. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but it polishes it to a brilliant shine. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Pleasant listening experience but not something I'll return to often.