Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Very good. I can see where this influenced some of the music I listen to.
Nice album for fans of synthpop, which I’m not. However, there are a few nice songs. My favorites: The Mother We Share (absolute banger!) Gun Lungs
Good for synth pop but goes on too long
Mostly decent, but can get boring here and there. Song meanings are really pretty vague as well. 6/10
The Mother We Share is by far the best song. The rest of the album is meh.
I think there does exist EDM/electronic pop that is profound or has something to say. This wasn't it.
Indietronica. Much prefer this to dance/trance style electronic music.
Has it really been 11 years already? Seems like yesterday that CHVRCHES took the world by storm with this fully focused debut. The trio of "Recover", "Night Sky" and "Science/Visions" is something special.
Synth-pop of the 2010’s peaked with “Night Sky”. CHVRCHES entered the scene hard with this sublime debut album!
The Mother We Share // Tether // Lungs // By The Throat // 3.5/5
I really enjoyed this. Basically reminds me of a synth-pop version of Belle & Sebastian (which I also loved). Mostly because it has male/female duo vocalists and they're from Glasgow. But yes, solid from front to back, a nice rare find on this list.
I am a little conflicted on this one. On one hand I can't stand her vocals or the production, and the song writing is a little bland. But on the other hand I like the synth tones, it is pretty good for pop music, and I get a hint of LCD soundsystem. High 2
probably just not my thing, i like my synth music a bit grittier
Tooth synthesizer based albums in three days was a little bit too much. And I really didn’t like this gal‘s voice either. I didn’t see anything real special about this at all. That would include it on this list.
Liked this more than nice thought I would bit not enough for 4stars. Solid effort that's just a bit too poppy
Just hard to get into the synth pop for me.
Was lucky enough to be at their first ever gig at The Art School in Glasgow. You could tell right away that they had something special. All the singles leading up to the album being released were brilliant and I was concerned that it would be a record with three good tracks and the rest filler, but the whole album is great. Under The Tide and Science and Visions were both good enough to be singles, and Lies is just one of the best tracks released in the 2010s.
surprisingly good
# Album Name: The bones of what you believe # Artist: CHVRCHES # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: I really enjoyed this album. Its best form is in its original 12 tracks album format coming in at 48 mins. Every song is quality. It has a real synth vibe with super catchy tunes. It is a very poppy album but i think it gets that tag from its catchy tracks. I can easily listen to every song on this album. Theres some real quality tunes on this album which is a testament to its strength. Despite it being one of the "newer" albums on the list, i think it smashes some of the 80's stuff on here. # Top Tunes: Could easily listen to every track. # Would I listen to it again? Yes
EDM always feels very of its time, and this definitely feels like 2013/14 to me. Just the opening bars of "The Mother We Share" can transport me to those days, and the optimism I had... Of course nw we live in a hellscape but the escapism is a nice byproduct. It also reminds me of the opening of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and dancing Tunnocks Teacakes
Sehr gewöhnlich. Nichts besonderes.
Hay que hacerse el oído pero bien escuchados sueenan muy bien
DID NOT LISTEN - No good reviews, so Couldn't be bothered… Decided to listen to Troye Sivan instead
verkligen inte min grej, men vocalsen är väl bra
I had never heard of this band before. I was curious. A Scottish electronica/pop band. The best thing I can say about the music is that it played in the background without being too distracting. I wasn't interested in the album. I don't need to and probably won't listen to it again. 3/5
I was vaguely familiar with CHVRCHES, but I had never sat and listened to one of their albums as a whole. Overall, this was a pretty decent album! Catchy melodies and great production.
After the first couple songs this album seemed like it would be right up my alley, but most songs ended up not being super memorable. I enjoyed the overall vibe and appreciated the vocals, but it felt like maybe it was too frontloaded since I found myself not paying attention after the first 10 minutes. Favorite song was: 1. The Mother We Share 6/10
I will admit that nostalgia is affecting my opinion on this album a little. But this brings me back to a great time in my life and I loved listening to this album again after not hearing it for a couple years. I am sitting on Dylan's futon, high as a kite, vibing all over again.
I know this album very well. It came out in our second year of college and was constantly on play for years. Our friend Dylan is a massive fan of Chvrches and would have them playing constantly. They played at Boston Calling and he sang every word to every song. The people around us did not like Dylan as much as Lauren. The album opens with its biggest hit. "Mother We Share" is an amazing song. The song samples M83, who wrote one of my favorite albums. "We Sink" also slaps. The album slows down a little for a while here. I don't like the next few songs as much. "Under The Tide" picks me back up. "Recover" is another song that Dylan played constantly. It's good. The underlying synth tracks have a lot of M83 in them. "Lungs" has fun vocals. I like Chvrches sound, but it does get a little old for me by the end of the album. There are awesome songs on here, but I spend about as much time wanting to turn it down a little as I do wanting to turn it up. The best songs are the first two. It's pushing an 8, but I don't think it quite makes it there. 7/10
Churches came out at the same time as two other similar groups: of Monsters and Men and the Naked and a Famous. I enjoyed all three as each had their own flair, Chvrches being more Depeche-Mode-influenced with its techno-pop sensibilities. I think the market for this sounds became oversaturated and I didn’t return to them, which is a shame. We Sink is great song among great songs that gives a feeling of hopeful flight. This is a solid contribution to the musical world.
The Mother We Share is a top notch track and easily my favorite. The rest of the album is good but not nearly as memorable as that first track. (Side note: The Mother We Share would have been an awesome track for the show Orphan Black, IYKYK). I actually own this album on CD. I don't particularly remember buying the album but this had to be one of the last proper CDs I bought. I would have thought I would have loved this album more but apparently not.
## In-Depth Review of *The Bones of What You Believe* by CHVRCHES CHVRCHES' debut album, *The Bones of What You Believe*, released on September 24, 2013, marked a significant entry into the synth-pop genre. The Scottish trio, consisting of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty, crafted a collection of tracks that juxtapose bright melodies with darker lyrical themes. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its overall influence while highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics ****Exploration of Themes The lyrics in *The Bones of What You Believe* are characterized by a blend of vulnerability and empowerment. Mayberry's writing often reflects personal struggles, relationships, and emotional turmoil. The opening track, "The Mother We Share," sets the tone with its exploration of connection amidst chaos: > "I know it’s not the same / But I’ll be there for you." This line encapsulates the album's recurring theme of seeking solace in relationships despite underlying pain. Tracks like "We Sink" and "Gun" delve into darker territories. "We Sink" presents a hauntingly obsessive love dynamic with lines that suggest both devotion and danger: > "I’ll be a thorn in your side ’til you die." In contrast, "Gun" serves as an aggressive warning to a former lover, showcasing Mayberry's fierce lyrical prowess: > "You had better run from me." These contrasting themes create a complex narrative throughout the album, where love is both nurturing and destructive. ### Music ****Sound and Composition Musically, *The Bones of What You Believe* is characterized by its vibrant synths and infectious hooks. The production blends elements of 1980s pop with contemporary electronic influences. Tracks like "Recover" exemplify this fusion with their upbeat tempo and catchy choruses. The song features soaring synth lines paired with Mayberry's ethereal vocals, reminiscent of Robyn's style. Other standout tracks include: - **"Tether":** A slow-building ballad that crescendos into an explosive chorus akin to M83's sound. - **"Lies":** A track that combines driving beats with introspective lyrics about deception in relationships. The instrumentation often features layered synths, punchy drum machines, and atmospheric effects that create a lush soundscape. This sonic richness allows for both danceable tracks and more contemplative moments. ### Production ****Technical Aspects The production on *The Bones of What You Believe* is handled primarily by Iain Cook and Martin Doherty, who skillfully blend electronic elements with organic sounds. The album showcases polished production techniques that enhance its accessibility while maintaining an edge. Key production elements include: - **Layered Synths:** The use of multiple synth layers creates depth and texture in each track. - **Dynamic Vocals:** Mayberry's vocals are often treated with reverb and echo to evoke a sense of space and emotion. - **Rhythmic Precision:** The drum patterns are crisp and well-defined, driving the energy of the songs forward. Overall, the production successfully balances pop sensibilities with an experimental edge, making it appealing to a broad audience while retaining artistic integrity. ### Themes ****Central Motifs *The Bones of What You Believe* explores several central themes: - **Love and Loss:** Many tracks grapple with the complexities of romantic relationships, portraying both affection and heartbreak. - **Empowerment vs. Vulnerability:** The album navigates the tension between feeling empowered in one’s identity while also confronting personal insecurities. - **Isolation:** Several songs reflect feelings of loneliness and disconnection amidst attempts to connect with others. These themes resonate deeply with listeners, particularly within the context of contemporary societal pressures surrounding relationships and self-worth. ### Influence ****Cultural Impact Upon its release, *The Bones of What You Believe* received critical acclaim for its fresh take on synth-pop. It was heralded as a significant contribution to the genre, influencing subsequent artists who sought to blend electronic music with introspective lyrics. The album's success helped pave the way for CHVRCHES to become prominent figures in the indie pop scene. Their sound has inspired numerous acts within electronic music, showcasing how emotional depth can coexist with catchy pop melodies. ### Pros and Cons ****Strengths - **Catchy Melodies:** The album is filled with memorable hooks that invite repeated listens. - **Emotional Depth:** Lyrically rich content provides listeners with relatable themes that resonate on a personal level. - **Production Quality:** High-quality production enhances the listening experience without overshadowing the artistry. - **Vocal Performance:** Mayberry’s distinctive voice stands out as a powerful instrument throughout the album. ****Weaknesses - **Repetitive Sound:** Some critics argue that certain tracks can feel formulaic or similar in structure. - **Limited Range:** While the album excels in its specific soundscape, it may lack diversity for listeners seeking varied musical styles. - **Dark Themes:** The juxtaposition of upbeat music with darker lyrics might not appeal to all audiences. ### Conclusion *The Bones of What You Believe* is a compelling debut that successfully marries infectious pop melodies with profound lyrical content. CHVRCHES established themselves as innovators within the synth-pop genre through their unique blend of sound and thematic exploration. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and range, the album remains a significant work that has influenced many artists in the years following its release. Its ability to convey complex emotions through accessible music ensures that it will continue to resonate with listeners long after its initial launch.
Mayberry's vocals are great – as the Spotify description says, they're crystalline and emotive – and they really make the music pop. Sure, bass-boosted synths and electronic drums are fun, but the singing lifts the music above other, more unassuming electro sounds from contemporaries. The male vocals, in the few tracks in which they appear, are definitely weaker, but they're by no means bad. I'm a big fan of the electronic drum rhythms in songs like Gun and Recover, as well as the synths which encapsulate a sort of retro-80s feel (but without the 80s production accompanying it, thank goodness). The main thing holding this back from a 5/5 is (surprisingly) not the distinct lack of acoustic instruments, because CHVRCH≡S actually manages without them fairly well. Nor is it the album flow, which is again surprisingly good for its time period. I don't normally associate the 21st century with satisfying album progression, but there's a nice variation between the tracks in terms of energy, tempo, and texture. In fact, the thing holding back The Bones Of What You Believe is that it's very easy to stop paying attention – and when you do, the music begins to sound like just about every 2010s EDM composition. Very club music-like, albeit with slightly more complex ideas and a better vocal. Still, I can't give a perfect rating in good conscience when music actively embraces elements of music from what's likely the lowest-quality musical decade. 4/5 Key tracks: The Mother We Share, Gun, Recover
Mid
I'd guess there's a few scenes in direct-to-streaming movies where one of these songs hits just right. A pop album that makes no attempt to differentiate itself, barely any attempt to make the listener feel anything. Musically it might be about a 2. As a cultural marker it's something like sitting on the couch watching nostalgic Netflix, reminiscing, "remember when we used to think about pretending to try?". 1 star. hated. (⌐■_■)
With a name like that you’re either getting totally psychotic metal, or totally bland millennial electro pop. Unfortunately this is the latter.
Kuulostaa tunteella tehdyltä. Sanoituksissa on ytyä. 2010-luvun kylmä kolina kuulostaa vähän vieraalta, kaipaisin lämpöä. Muutamia mitäänsanomattomampia täytebiisejä eikä mikään ole sellainen korvamato, johon bändillä ois mahdollisuus. Bonusbiisit oli melkeinpä parhaita.
Kevyen melankolisen kuivan Flow-2013-indie. Muutama hyvä melodiakulku.
Listening to Chvrches was not a religious experience.
Nice sound, but seemed like variations on a theme.
uen sonido pero flojas canciones.
Hilarious that this pops up right after the xx because this is basically the same review. This album came out of the gate hard, then I forgot about it, and re-listening, well, its transportive but it's not great and it's also not something you have to listen to before you die. Their cover Prince's "I Would Die 4 U" is pretty good, though. Not on this album.
Eu gostei
I've always wondered why I never got into Chvrches and now I know. It's thin, vacuous synth indie pop.
I think The Mother We Share is the heir to Bittersweet Symphony. A song you may hear every few years now and it’s just like holy fuck this song is massive.
Again, good, but how is this one of the best albums?
Lots of the same, but enjoyable overall.
Pretty good! I know them from a Kojima game
This was pretty good - cool to see some newer acts in this list.
Not bad.
After listening to this from the generator I have fell in love with this album as well as Every Open Eye. It is really good!
this album made me happy, full of energy and positivity, loved it
I played this a lot when I was younger and it holds a very special place in my heart
Heard this album many times before - chvrches is a solid band
meh. one or two catchy songs. I think they were In FIFA.
I like synths, I like indie-pop, and I like Scotland, so why don’t I like this? I was optimistic after the first song ‘The Mother We Share’ which is really great but every subsequent song until track 9 ‘Science/Vision’ is basically forgettable. The sound is like a mash up of Tegan and Sara / Purity Ring but doesn’t have the former’s quirky charm or the latter’s ethereal beauty and sense of melody. The production is 1980s era drum machines and synths and 2010’s era Ableton vocal glitches, overall decently produced and mixed. The music however is safe, diatonic, and utterly predictable, devoid of any musical complexity whatsoever. Lauren Mayberry’s voice is cute but kind of one dimensional and her melodies are mostly uninteresting. There’s a guy that sings a couple songs and he really shouldn’t. One of the tracks called ‘Under The Tide’ might be a contender for the most boring song ever released on a major label. Outside of 3 or 4 good tracks most of this album sounds like filler. 2.5/5 will bump up to a 3.
3.5
2.5. It’s incredibly bland and forgettable, maybe it was designed to be?
I first heard this band 10+ years ago on a rock/new rock fam radio station I didn’t like them, I gave the whole album a chance. Lyrics are way too soft for my taste and I like pop music. Very electronic Had a hard time getting to the end
Another modern take on 1980s synth-pop. Boring, uninspiring, and a waste of time.
Synth pop maxes out at 3 stars for me
Why do I remember liking this?
I mvst admit… I’m a fan Screen Violence was one of my favourite listens from 2021. I should admit that I didn’t listen to a second CHVRCHES album until today. However: *rocks in a rickety chair* back in my day iTunes used to give away free songs to promote new artists. Through that I got tastes of artists like Phosphorescent, Bahamas, Bastille, and CHVRCHES, the last of which gave away the song “Recover”. Long story short, I was rocking to “Recover” years before I bothered to learn any other of their songs Maybe due to that early exposure, I find this a joy to listen to. As indebted to yesterday's Cocteau Twins as the summery pop in She's Not Unusual by Cyndi Lauper, CHVRCHES’s debut holds up 11 years later. No notes HL: “Recover”, “The Mother We Share”, “Tether”, “Science/Visions”, “Lungs”, "Night Skies"
Synth pop. Not my genre but not unenjoyable. At home in an 80’s playlist. Someone put a lot of effort into it.
Some bangers on here. Takes a while to sink in.
Truly the best of 2010s indie pop. It’s energetic and dynamic without losing its depth.
Favourite songs: Lies, We Sink, Recover, Under the Tide, Night Sky, The Mother We Share, Strong Hand, Tether, Gun, By the Throat Least favourite songs: Science/Visions, You Caught the Light 4/5
Take the u out of “1001 u need to hear” (2.5/5)
Feel ambivalent towards this….
I don't believe this album is really for me overall. Did not really enjoy it. Made me think of Gunship, which I enjoy far more.
Why are there so many electronica albums on this list? No one NEEDS to hear this much electronica, if any at all. A 2-star album by virtue of me not liking it vs. absolutely hating it.
Bit odd and lax
4.5
Some really lovely sound. Not as profoundly hooking as a Postal Service or Imogen Heap, but very much worth the listen
Iiiiiittttt'ssssss ffffffiiiiiinnnnnne. Essential? Hmph.
Brought me back to freshman year in college. But most of the songs seemed to blend together in a soft, boring, flow.
CHVRCHES used the new wave heavy synths to make a great pop album. It stands on its own as a fun unique listen between modern dance music and earlier electronic. This album came out around the time that House EDM was growing into a global moment. No album really captures that sound due to the genre heavily existing in singles, mixes, and live sets, but this album does an alright job.
Sterotypical electronic indie including the pretentious name spelling. First track was definitely used in an advert at some point. Still, I like it tho.
No real justification for this rating and it might be higher than I would have done if I didn't have emotional ties to it (I think it reminds me of the early days of dating my now husband). But 4 stars for me!
I really liked this on first listen and suspect I’m going to like it even more on subsequent run throughs
I liked this album and played it a lot several years ago; it still holds up pretty well. 4/5
The Electropop group CHVRCHΞS took a lot of inspiration from 80's New Wave and the electronic music from the early 90's to pretty much create a modern and polished version of that sound while still keeping it original. It isn't totally bad but I personally do not really care for what they were doing here. To me it sounds like average Synthpop with very obvious Pop intentions. The energetic opening track 'The Mother We Share' is definitely their best known song and I have to say two things about this. Firstly, I think this definitely influenced Taylor Swifts 1989 album. Secondly, this isn't bad. The production is very much alright as are the lyrics and the vocals but it's mainly the songwriting and the groove that make actually enjoy this song. I don't love it by any means, mainly because there are multiple moments in the song that simply don't work and break the songs structure but overall, it is a pretty good song. The very energetic rythmn production on 'We Sink' are definitely something and I don't know if I like it. The songwriting is fine and I do like some parts a lot but others do feel a little bit left off especially the second half of the song after the bridge. It overall falls pretty average but not too bad. The attempt of an atomsphere on 'Gun' with the synths are absolutely destroyed with how obnoxious they are. I don't get why this song gets so much love. It is a basic and annoying song and nothing more. In fact I actually think that this song is overall pretty bad because the parts that make up the song do not work togther at all. It is just a bad listen the whole way through. The Dream Pop and House influences on the 'Tether' are a nice touch at first but they don't work together and are mixed just obnoxiously loud to the point that the song feels even more annoying than it was at first. Near the end the most annoying string synths that I have ever heard enter the ring as well. It's not as bad as its predecessor but it is a pretty badly produced and performed song and is sitting right on the edge of "below average" and just "bad" with a big tendency towards the latter. The production on 'Lies' might actually be my personal favourite on the album. I really like the loud and distorted sound of it and I could really see this in the hands of a Industrial Hip-Hop group but sadly it is done in the Pop way which does not work at all. It feels like chocolate and cheese, simply not good. It's not totally abhorrent because there is quality but the combination is just not really likable. It's still better than the last two but not by a lot. The House influence returns strongly on 'Under the Tide' which also closes the albums first half. It also switches the vocalist which I don't get because the woman did a much better job than he does here but maybe he was just so eager and doing this one. But sadly that decision seems to not work as the vocals firstly, don't fit and secondly, don't sound good. The song is simply bad in terms of vocal performance and the music itself isn't much better. Some bass parts are not on time and at other times it just sounds bad. Right as the second half starts, we are met with another song which does not work in itself. The vocals do not fit on the production in terms of flow. It sounds jerky and stupid and creates no flow at all. Even Taylor Swift would've perfromed this song better. It is genuinely just a bad Pop song. Sadly, 'Night Sky' isn't much better. It is a bit more enjoyable which does not mean that it is enjoyable. The song is still pretty bad and the songwriting and structuring does not work at all but it at least has a few moments that are slightly entertaining. The lyrics and vocals are just corny though making this overall still not a pleasent experience. 'Science / Visions' definitely tries to sound futuristic and like it actually knows how to structure a song. It definitely builds up and in another context (like a Post-Punk song) this would actually be good but in this Synthpop context it sounds unfinished, overindulgent and unfocused. The result is as bad as the previous songs but maybe a little bit better because the vocal delivery is slightly more on point and at least helps the track. The already weird beginning of 'Lungs' give me pretty much no hope for it and I was right. Who thought that this band trying Glitch Pop would be a good idea??? Björk's Vespertine is how you do Glitch Pop. This just sounds terrible. Genuinely this is the only song so far where I'd say that it's not just bad but on the verge of being simply unlistenable. Glitch Pop is a weird genre and sound and if done right that can create incredible sounds but this is just abhorrent. 'By the Throat' is better but still pretty bad. The production is straight up terrible at points and the songwriting is not much better. The vocals and lyrics are also really uninteresting but it's mainly the backing vocals that are so fucked up that they destroy the song. Bad. The album, finally, closes with 'You Caught the Light' which happens to be the albums longest song and tries to go a more atmospheric, relaxed and even etheral path but this sonic experiment pretty much fails. The synths are annoying and mixed way too loudly and nearly sound distorted. If this was an obvious and genuine attempt at creating a sound like this, it might've worked but this tries to be Pop and not Post-Industrial. The song does get a little better when the male vocalist returns but it's ruined pretty quickly (although there wasn't much to ruin) with the return of the synths. Genuinely unpleasent to hear, straight up terrible. favourites: The Mother We Share least favourites: Lungs, You Caught the Light, Tether, the entire rest (except We Sink) Rating: decent 3 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
I really liked this but need a revisit to confirm if it's a 5 or not.
Emblematic of a lot of the synthpop that came out of the early-mid 2010s. By this point in history, it seemed as though pop music had become a science that was perfected. Standing of the shoulders of giants, all you needed was a hook and a look to make it in the music biz. Of course, that's easier said than done. CHVRCHES seems to respect the likes of their influences, invoking Depeche Mode, Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, Kate Bush, Whitney Houston, and any number of '80s synthpop acts (especially from the UK). Put some modern pop polish on the production and that's The Bones Of What You Believe. CHVRCHES keeps their synth sounds interesting enough to capture my interest for the full runtime. Ranging from upbeat to intense to airy, the group mixes their approach and synth tones to show their true breadth. I just wish they experimented a little more with songwriting or instrumentation, perhaps moving beyond just synth songs.
This was honestly really good and right up my alley. I *think* I've heard of CHVRCHES before, but I don't know if I've actively listened to them (though after a bit of frustration and digging, 'We Sink' was totally from FIFA 14). There's certainly an early-2010s tinge to the production here - but it comes off more nostalgic to me as opposed to antiquated. Still, that's not its entire identity - the group definitely takes leads from early synthpop groups like 'Depeche Mode'. My favorite bit of production is on the heavy 'Science/Visions'. As for the songs themselves, there are quite a handful of highlights like 'The Mother We Share', 'We Sink', 'Gun', 'Recover', and 'Lungs'. The lead vocalist, Lauren Mayberry, is such a perfect fit for the music here. She's gifted when it comes to writing these earwormy and sarcastic choruses, my favorite being on 'We Sink'. I wasn't as much of a fan of the male vocals that cropped up occasionally, though they were fine as backers for 'Lungs'. Damn near flawless contemporary synthpop and an album that I'm sure will continue growing on me.
Not my thing at all.
Didn't listen to the bonus tracks. Like a massive lemon meringue it started nice but I was sick at the end
I didn't have high expectations, but I had higher expectations.
I was surprised to see this album here, but was happily impressed with the depth of it. CHVRCHES changed the game and brought about a more thoughtful and worded form of indie pop that eventually spawned artists like Lorde and other mainstream / EDM artists of the mid-10's
This album did not blow me away. Seemed pretty mid-tier electropop without any standout tracks for my taste. Decent sound, wish I enjoyed it more than I did.
This album was fantastic. Synth-oriented EDM/pop with excellent vocals and lyrics. Really enjoyed this, already listened to it a second time. Can’t choose any stand out tracks because they were all great.
Ah, Chvrches! I had no idea this album was included in one of the more recent editions of the book until I saw it listed on the List Challenges page. I've had a healthy obsession with Chvrches since I first heard the sweet synth notes of "Recover" on an Austin radio station back in 2013. I bought a copy of this album on preorder, and I own a copy of the 10th anniversary edition as well. I've gotten to see Chvrches live twice, and I've gotten to meet the band on both of those occasions (they're wonderful people). I've easily listened to this album more than any other album, and once I'm done with this list, I imagine that this will be what I list as my favorite album. Like I said, it's a healthy obsession. Now that the details are out of the way, let's jump into the music! Those opening 'oh-oh-oh's' of "The Mother We Share" are absolute perfection. You know right away what this album is going to be, and the rest of the album makes good on delivering on that promise of beautiful synth arrangements and perfect drum machines. I went on a solo trip to Germany in October of 2013, and I would listen to this album every day while I was there. Listening to this song reminds me of the crisp autumn air on my face as I walked to the train station every morning. "We Sink" is a perfect follow up to the opening track. The synths are a little bit deeper in tone, but they pulse at a pace that keeps the momentum going. "Gun" slows things down a bit and allows Lauren Mayberry to be in the driver's seat for the emotional tone. I love that amongst all the brightness of the synthesizers, songs like "Gun" can still pack a punch. I love how "Tether" starts off as one of the more stripped-down songs on the album, but the crescendo it builds to is perfect. Knowing that the blistering synthesizers are coming makes the song even better on repeat listens. "Lies" is probably one of my least favorite songs on the album, but I still love it. To me, it's a great bridge between the first four songs on the album and "Under the Tide." "Under the Tide" is the most underrated song on the album in my opinion. One of two songs on the album where Lauren Mayberry doesn't sing lead vocals, Martin Doherty gets to take over, and he crushes it. Another song that builds to an epic crescendo, "Under the Tide" is the perfect lead-in to "Recover," one of the strongest tracks on the album. I don't know what it is about "Recover" that I love so much. Yes, it was my first exposure to Chvrches and their brand of synth pop perfection, but it still holds its magic for me, over eleven years after I first heard it. I think it's something in the pacing of the song that draws me in. The song never really builds to a peak, but somehow, the anticipation of some sort of peak is there, waiting to be uncovered. I think "Recover" always makes me want to listen to more Chvrches, and that's what I love about it. "Night Sky" and "Science/Visions" are a shift away from the brighter tones of "Recover," but nothing about that shift feels unnatural or forced. "Lungs" shifts back to the brighter sound, and features some of my favorite drum machine parts on the album. The rhythm of the drums matches the pacing of the vocals perfectly, and that pacing is perfect for the lyrics of this song too. "By the Throat" and "You Caught the Light" are great closing tracks, letting the album flex its emotional muscles, instead of hitting with more blissful synth sounds. To me, it's perfectly fitting that the album closes with these two tracks, because while this album has so many great synth pop sounds, the emotion and the lyrics are great too. I love this album so much, and I'm so glad I got to write about it today. If you somehow made it to the end of this review, and you like Chvrches, I highly recommend their second album, Every Open Eye, and their most recent album, Screen Violence. Listening to Chvrches always makes my day better, and I'm so glad that this wonderful trio has shared their talents with the world.
Nice one
Virkelig fed faktisk, havde ikke lige forventet det. God dance, føler jeg er i neon-verden ligesom pigerne i Karamelldansen, men en smule mindre lalleglad. Take me back to the naugthies baby
Lots of synth and melody. Dreamy style in 2013
Soundtrack of my daughter's lyrical class...
Good
Ok
own
This is a fantastic album! I’m glad to have the excuse to listen to it again, because I’ve only heard it about three times. The synths are beautiful, sounding much better than most of the synth… music from the 2010s. Favourite song: ‘Tether’. (The instrumental is FANTASTIC).
LVRCHES.
you kids get off my lawn!
1. mother - 1 2. zink - 1 3. gun - 1 4. tether - 1.5 5. liez - 1 6. tide - 1 7. recover - 1 8. night - 1 9. zcience - 1.5 10. lungz - 1.5 11. throat - 1 12. light - 1.5 13. hand - 1 14. bonez - 1.5 15. gun - 1 16. mother - 0
After a Pet Shop Boys album earlier this week, I said synth-pop had no place in my music library. That was before I was reminded of the 80s-influenced synth-pop revival of just a few years ago. Chvrches isn’t terrible - in fact, I found “The Mother we Share” quite likable. So now there’s a small space in my library for some synth pop. I hope those fans feel better.
The negativity in the lyrics in the lighthearted, upbeat music was disturbing. Not for me.
If I was a teenage girl, I bet I would love this. But I'm not and I don't. She does have a lovely voice, though.
Was probably relevant at the time, but has probably been copied too many times since then.
I like this group but this outing is instantly forgettable. Nothing sticks nothing nothing to hum along to
Good times back in 2013... always love for synthpop without 80's production. Many of these tracks have been on my usual rotation ever since its release. I've also see them live, although I don't remember it that well... as I said, good times.
very ethereal vibes. i loved the electronica
I really wanted to like this. It seems so much like an album I would love, but something just wasn’t clicking. It was too bubble gum pop at moments and too mellow at others. I like The Mother We Share.
Love Chvches! I've seen them live before and am totally in love with Lauren Mayberry. This is a sterling album--really groundbreaking and well executed.
More intelligible than Elisabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins; less soulful than Taylor Swift - Lauren Mayberry (Lavren Mayberry?) is extraordinarily reminiscent of both. I just found out that she’s the percussionist (percvssionist?) too. This is post-New Wave 80s gold, right here, this album. I think I need another listen, but damn if this isn’t a solid rocket of techno-pop love.
Love a lot of tracks, but not a beginning to end album
Back in the early to mid 2000s, when music was a desolate wasteland of miserable tripe, there was a phenomenon called "Internet radio". One of the very best of these experiments was a "station" called Global Pop Conspiracy. GPC radio would play a genuinely very good mix of lowfi and synth covers, often veering into no-label, bedroom produced stuff. And this is kind of what this sounds like - except half a decade later and without enough of the quirky earnestness that GPC staples had. It's got a bit of tryhardism to it that really doesn't quite tesselate with the innocent poppiness it strives for. What it does do is fit right into the set of millennials who suffered the tryhardism of early-mid 2000s "serious" music and the vapid, cynical, pop-by- numbers tosh they grew up with. In that context they're alright. In a wider view, they're just kinda meh.
I really dug most of this. I didn't like the last song very much. Otherwise this was a pretty solid album that I will revisit and check out other albums by the band.
Serviceable synth pop.
3/5
This was good. An easy 3*, maybe just touching 4 ?
First album for a couple of weeks that I've actually had the time to listen to properly so maybe slightly over-rated but I enjoyed it.
decent synth-pop from a band I'd not heard
That's not my taste in musik. But ok.
Pretty solid synth! I've heard the Mother We Share many times and didn't love it, but I was surprised by many of the other songs on the album
This music defines me as a person. 4/5
Mgmt adjacent. Maybe m83. Really good stuff.
Just not my thing. A bit repetitive.
Pop halt
Inn um annað, út um hitt.
A bit too samey which is great if you like it.
I think ClearChannel ruined this album for me. I've heard "The Mother We Share" before, back when I lived in an area with one "alternative" station, and that song got played to death. It's an okay track, it never made me want to seek out more, so here we are. Unfortunately, a lot of the songs feel a little too close for comfort. The modern production on this makes the entire record feel pretty sanitary, though I will admit I do enjoy the atmosphere that blankets the record, and the Scottish vocals throughout. It's just not my thing. Favorite track: "Science/Visions"
This is the first album I've had so far by an artist I've seen live! I saw Chvrches when they opened for Coldplay The only song I was familiar with was The Mother We Share which I like. The rest aren't very good - some were terrible And over an hour long? Rough The male singers songs were much better than the females Music you'd hear in H&M stores 2 ⭐️
J'ai bien aimé le début, mais plus l'album avançait, plus je trouvais ça correct. C'est loin d'être mauvais, mais je voyais trop de ressemblance avec d'autres actes similaires ou de la même époque. 6/10
Das Album hat mir sehr gefallen. Ich fand es kohärent und doch abwechslungsreich.
Way too pop and basic for me.
Vocals a little too saccharine a lot of the time for my taste. And all a little bit poppy. However, I do enjoy a synthy vibe! Lies (amazing) is a great track, as is You Caught the Light. So, an extra star for each of these.
I saw these years ago on Jools and at Glastonbury and always liked them. Love the synths. If Clare Grogan fronted The Human League instead of Phil Oakey they'd sound a bit like this! 'The Mother We Share' is a spectacular opener, especially cranked up loud. The closing track 'You Caught The Light' is superb too, a dreamy move into Mogwai territory, I love it. Everything inbetween is good listening but with few other stand out tracks which is a bit disappointing. Maybe with more listens it will grow on me, I do think they are very cool.
This album was really it. I felt like I was in Tron. La Roux/Grimes/The 1975/The xx hybrid in the best way possible. I am now a CHVRCHES fan! Gonna be replaying this one a lot.
This album is amazing! Science/Visions blew my mind! Don’t know why I haven’t listened to CHVRCHES before. I knew a couple of songs that were on FIFA but that was all. They’re a bit like The 1975, a bit like La Roux, but more sophisticated than both. The singer has a great voice and I love the synths. Such a beautiful colourful soundscape, made me feel all tingly.
Jump into dreamy pop
CHVRCHES are a band where I've known their popular songs for years but I've never really delved into them. This is a really solid album but I do kind of think there are better similar bands from the past 15 years. Also always good to hear a song that I know from Fifa years ago. Fav tracks: The Mother We Share, We Sink, Lies
There were a couple of legitimately great songs on this album but I think it got watered down by a lot of similar-sounding songs.
While I'm a fan of the writing and the melodies, I really dislike the overly shiny production side of things. 3/5
I know the band from a distance, may have listened to this a decade ago. It's enjoyable and listenable, but I am not thinking this is a 1001 worthy overall - it breaks no new ground, the vocals are above average, two lead singers, the hooks are there but no classic or cornerstone track on the album. Oddly, the first track has 183M listens on Spotify but I've never heard it on the radio, XM or at a party. There's a Taylor Swift vibe to "Gun" and "Lungs" for sure. "Recover" is a good song but it's textbook pop but it sounds like a weak B-side from Metric. "You Caught The Light" is self-indulgent nonsense. You get 16 songs so there's value if you're a fan. Designed for Millennials maybe? Nothing really intriguing or catchy. Again, this one isn't worthy of being I need to hear before I die.
There sure is some chipper, spazzy stuff going on here that's a bit too frantic for my liking, but taking it at face value, this collection is pretty effective for what it's trying to do. I'm more interested in the tracks that accomplish a more refined palette such as "Science/Visions" with it's melody defined by driving rhythms. It kind of feels like they can't decide between their darker aesthetics and their bubbly pre-teen hooks, which, to be fair, are both cool and all but feel often at odds. It reminds me of M83 and other bands of the era and approach. By using edgey language and visual imagery, big choruses contrasted by spacious synthwork, they are able to take small emotions to epic proportions. Very well made but not sure I'll be needing it anytime soon.
Utter rubbish
Feels like the beginning of the current era of female pop music. A girl with a good voice in front of highly produced electronic music Enjoyable enough but nothing stood out. I wasn’t singing along or humming the tunes after.
That's a good one. Modern music finally!
Not my jam - not bad, just not good either.
Overall, this is a pretty decent modern synthpop album. It features some really catchy, heavy analog basslines and is very smooth, polished, and highly produced. This definitely appeals to a modern mainstream EDM audience. If anything, my biggest gripe is that it’s so polished and highly produced. I prefer my synthpop to be more raw, with more texture, not such a smooth feel. But considering it came out in 2013, thank god it’s not a dubstep album.
This one had its highlights, especially the closer. But it wanes in the middle with ok tracks. It’s good, but not one of the best things I’ve heard.
Okay, this is getting 5. Is it a 10/5? No, but I just love it so much and have so much nostalgia for it. I played this to death when it came out, and am happy to say it still holds up as some fantastic synth pop. Not a single skip for me. Lauren Mayberry has such a lovely, unique voice. A great album for shaking it out with some cathartic dancing as well, which I definitely did!
This is what I was hoping to find with this experiment. Music I would never actively seek out, and surprisingly fun. I didn't love the songs with the male lead vocals. I thought the last song fell flat. 4.5 stars, but going to 5 since that's not an option!
Not quite. 2.5
Yesterday I said that I didn't remember the last time I gave less than 4 stars to an album here on this site. Me and my big mouth! I don't really like Synth Pop, at least not as a form of entertainment in itself. It works more for me as a background for anything else I'm doing, especially in the early hours of the morning. So as not to seem like I'm voting solely in the name of my personal taste, I want to highlight that the synthesized vocals and all this plasticized production are not a positive point in the slightest. In fact, it can even be boring and tiring to listen to. But like I said, it works well as a background and I'll probably use these songs on my Minecraft nights!
I thought I might like this more when I revisited it but I really didn’t. It’s insipid. Cannot work out how or why this would be rated.
Nice to have something a bit more contemporary ( only ten years old !). Plenty of good uplifting synth pop songs, perhaps a bit too long an album though . Definitely good enough to make me check out their other albums :) 3.5, nearly 4.
-this is such an awesome album -bops after bops -great synth pop music -it feels so psychedelic for some reason -I love the female vocals -the album cover reminds me of Kraftwerk, "Radio-Activity" -so danceable -favorite songs: The Mother We Share, We Sink, Gun, Tether, Under The Tide, Recover (<3), Night Sky, Science/Visions (<3), Lungs, You Caught The Light -least favorite song: By The Throat
Basic mid ‘10s indie boy-girl band fare. I like the synth, don’t mind the vocals, but nothing stuck. It okay.
Not typically a genre I listed to or appreciate, but I really like this one. Lots of buttery synth, great vocals, and some dope vibes. I was impressed.
Sorry but I'm not religiovs
Nice set of songs
It’s aight, a little middle/high school
Not bad, not great. Most boring album yet in terms of what I have to say about it.
Si bien la última pieza me ha taladrado la cabeza por repetición, el resto del disco me parece que tiene en general un hilo conductor claro, es bonito y relajante de escuchar, aunque no he visto anda llamativo ni especialmente destacable.
Great debut album. A fresh sound with a delightful voice from Lauren Mayberry. The song writing is good and the melodies are catchy. Really enjoyed this disc. The Mother We Share and Science/Visions are the standout tracks. Worth another listen.
Quite a good record with much to bite into. Doesn’t feel like a classic but it’s one I would like to return to.
Synth-pop bangers ahead, I have to admit to loving this band slightly more then their absolute musical quality might suggest. A sucker for a well-enunciated Scottish accent perhaps. While never deviating from the template set out here, their subsequent albums reveal this to be a debut with lots to headroom for them to expand into. Also great live. Four stars.
I love the vocalists voice. I also like synthetic pop. A few songs (the singles) I liked a lot but others did not stand out so not a 5.
I really dug this when it came out, it’s a great throwback to 80s synth music. I even covered a CHVRCHES song once! Big fan, good stuff.
This wasn’t bad at all. I enjoyed it, but caught myself tuning out by the end.
Torn as to whether this deserves 2* or 5*. On the one hand I like the 80s throwback. On the other hand I think it sounds better than a lot of music back then purely because of improvements in technology, and is completely unoriginal. On the one hand I find the voice captivating, on the other it grates after about 5 songs and the lyrics seem pretty shallow. Not sure where to place this. I think a few songs are good in isolation. I enjoyed Under the Tide being a break from her voice. I'll tentatively give this a three but will put it on my list of things to listen to again.
A Scottish Synth 2013 Synth album…first reaction was this could be an 80’s album. Definitely influenced by the years between 1970 & 1990. Liked what I heard but I’m not going to this church anytime soon.
Tell nd if a techno light
This is not normally my thing at all, but I really enjoyed this album. Really good singing and all of the synth work produced really good sounds.
I feel a little bad rating this because it is kind of not my thing. A little too dreamy & synthy. But I feel like I would be able to appreciate the production with some good headphones. Since I'm at work and listening in 1 earbud. I would give this one a second chance.
enjoyed the first half but i think it ended up getting a little stale 3.5
Formulaic and unoriginal
10/10 When I first heard Chvrches I had frisson from beginning to end. I can't explain the sense of future nostalgia I feel get when listening. They have better albums than this, and that is saying a whole bunch. 7-3-2024
Synth pop. Some parts sound very 80’s. Some parts remind me of Ellie Goulding. It was fun easy listening but nothing special.
Unfamiliar with them before, but found this really listenable overall. Remind me a little of something like The Knife, where it leans heavily into 80s synthetic, but manages to capture the mood, while feeling new and its own thing.
I was into this synth revival when it happened - these guys, Purity Ring, Phantogram (might throw in Sleigh Bells and STRFCKR and POLICA, too [btw, why did all these bands capitalize their names? Was that just a 2012 trend?]). In any case, if this is the kind of thing you liked when it was your mom's Duran Duran, Berlin, and New Order albums, then you might have liked it when it came back around.
not my jam, pretty monotone..
Not my style of music by any stretch. Even still this is fairly bland, repetitive and vocally similar to plenty of female pop artists. Most of sounds like stock music played as background on TikTok/Youtube videos.
CHVRCHES has always been a secret guilty pleasure band for me. I really can’t even put my finger on precisely why I love this record but just enjoy the mood, vocals, melodies,… So I guess the secret is out.
I've been listening to this one since it came out. Probably still my favorite of their records. Lauren Mayberry is great on this. I'm not a big fan of the two songs where she's not the lead singer.
CHVRCHES is a band that I should listen to more than I do. A lot of people who's music opinions I tend to share are big fans. And it's not that I don't like them, I just never really listened to them much. And I'm going to make a point to change that because this album was really really good. It's not perfect, but I would gladly listen to it again.
Edgy 2010s hipster music with edgy spelling. They even dare to say “fuck”. Album has not aged well. 2/5
A synth-pop album that surprised me with its ability to draw me in. Emotionally, lyrically, and musically interesting. Made me want to discover more from this band.
could i write poetry to this? n
Nice surprise here. I'm a big fan of Chvrches music, but thought it might be too obscure or niche for this list. Most of my DJ sets include one of their tracks or a remix of something they've done. Lauren Mayberry's voice is exquisite and the Electro-Pop vibe is accessible and danceable.
Enjoyed this more than I thought
Blondie’s Parallel Lines for Millennials. And just as good. (My credentials for making this statement? I’m a 31 year old woman who dropped out of film school and went to a lot of hipster parties in the early 2010s. I’m basically an authority on Millennial hipster music.)
Thoroughly enjoyed this album - good variety, great beats!
Above average modern synth pop album.
Solid 3.5 for me. I love the new wave of synth-pop.
Second straight day there is an album that I have heard and like but is not my favorite album by that group. The difference is this is Chvrches debut album and the one that sets up their sound for the listener. This is not their pop album, which is Love is Dead and it is not their best album, which is Screen Violence (perhaps an unpopular opinion). "Mother We Share," "We Sink," "Lies," and "Recover" are all great songs. The 10 year anniversary edition is even better because the outtakes like Manhattan are worthy of being on the album. Lauren Mayberry has such a unique and interesting voice, which only makes the songs that much more fun. Great album that's worth a listen and then go listen to their other albums, as there is something for everyone.
Great surprise
3.5/5
Millennial synth pop. Couldn't get into it
Did I hate this? No. Did I enjoy this? Also no. I think I'm firmly not in the target demographic for this
if someone asked me to give them a recommendation afte listening to Depeche Mode and LCD this is probably what I would send them. Lots of synths and melodies, it's fun but can sound a bit the same the more you listen to it
easy listening ..
Lieblich aber auch ohne Kanten, nicht so meines
ich mag die stimme leider gar nicht ellie goulding science/visions ganz gut
Good on small doses, but I couldn't listen to the whole thing.
Not my vibe.
Not bad.
I gave it a chance and it's good. I liked the live tracks in the extended remastered edition the most. I wish they could capture this live sound and not rely on overproduced studio sound.
Sugary, retro 80s synth pop. Some catchy hooks, for sure, but rather vapid and unremarkable on the whole. High energy, but not much thought or depth for repeated listens. If music were drinks this is a vodka and Red Bull. Best track is the opener.
I really loved tether when I was 12, and I had never heard anything like their sound at the time. To me they now sound a little dated.
Es una electrónica comercial moderna, donde canta una mina. Bastante flaco.
nope no thanks
Higher register voices get to me after while I think I like this music better as singles
Gillar ju elektronisk musik men detta är alltför trist.
I wasn't expecting this noveau synth pop, it was pretty cool. I liked the vocals, there weren't as much auto-tune as I expected. The keyboards were... supposed to be overwhelming (duh... where are the guitars?). I liked that the males also had a chance to sing lead. Top tracks: "The Mother We Share," "Under The Tide," "You Caught The Light"
Not sure what the big deal is. At best it's standard synth-pop fare. At worst it's too pop, too synth. Not awful but certainly not great. Like the 80's all over again, everything sounds fake. Really good synth feels like the music is more real. Decent vocals but paired with the synth it almost sounds overdone or overproduced. The Mother We Share and We Sink made for a good start but the rest didn't quite keep it up. I prefer earlier synth pop groups/albums like The Naked and Famous/Passive Me, Aggressive You or Metric/Fantasies.
Pretty straight forward synth-pop, but gotta admit I enjoyed it. I hear a lot of echoes of Taylor Swift's 1989 sound, which came out a year later (not making any accusations - it's not THAT original). I just found myself liking the vibe and Lauren Mayberry's voice. I'd probably go with a 3.5 if that were an option, but since it's not I'll round up simply because I liked listening to it. Favorite tracks: The Mother We Share, We Sink (I like how the odd off beat rhythm in the opening settled into a straightforward beat in the chorus), Lies, Under the Tide, Science/Visions (sounded like it belonged on the Tron Legacy soundtrack, which I guess means it reminds me of Daft Punk), You Caught the Light (nice dreamy vibe to close out the album).
I loved this when it came out and it's still a banger. I listened to this album on repeat.
Chvrches makes catchy, synth-pop songs that are built around Lauren Mayberry's sweet, strong voice. Their music sounds like 80's pop redone with 2000's EDM influences. The Bones of What you Believe is the band's debut album, and propelled them to international fame. The opening track, "The Mother We Share," became one of the biggest pop hits of the 2010's.
Not for me.
Not bad not great. I've heard from some in my network that they love this band, but so far they've yet to really grab me. The album depends heavily on whether you like the vocals. I find them a bit weak, monotone and high pitched. The accompanying music wants to be synthpop almost, but isn't anywhere close to the good stuff.
I have a hard time explaining why CHVRCHΞS is one of my favorite bands. Synth pop isn’t typically my thing. High twee vocals aren’t typically my thing. And yet, I love their sound. Love their style. Love Lauren Mayberry’s vocals. Somehow it just all fits together perfectly. I think while their music is very synth-driven, labeling them synth pop just doesn’t quite capture their sound. Iain Cook and Martin Doherty crafted a sound for CHVRCHΞS that is like everything else and yet like nothing else. And this makes sense, as the artists the group cites as their heroes and influences cover a broad and fascinating range. Over the years, CHVRCHΞS has solidified themselves as one of the bands that I will immediately seek out new music from, go to see them live any time they come through town, and extol their brilliance to anyone who will listen. They’ve been pretty successful since “Bones of What You Believe,” but they are one of those bands that I remain mystified that they aren’t even bigger than they are. I shouldn’t be surprised though. Only rap and pop acts are ubiquitous and culturally pervasive. And Mayberry is a writer and singer not afraid to speak truth to music industry power. Mayberry and CHVRCHΞS are never going to be a band that does whatever the label execs and marketing people tell them to do to make money. They have fought sexism and misogyny in the way the band is represented in the media, pushed by record executives, and in their response to the anonymous online harassment that pervades internet culture. They portray themselves as a band despite encouragement to put Mayberry not just in front but alone to appeal more to the male gaze. On their debut, they wanted to write and produce their own stuff, not deceptively front for a faceless producer like so many pop acts. And while they have loosened up a bit on some of those points through their career, Mayberry’s lyrics still question the cost of stardom and bite back at those who have suggested that she soften her accent or put more emphasis on her looks.
Chvrches is a weird one for me. I shouldn't like it. I mostly don't go for synth pop. I mostly don't like singers who sing in such a high register. And yet Chvrches is one of my favorites and my go to music to help pull me out of a funk. I have spent so much time trying to find similar bands and I can't quite find anything that is similar despite the ubiquitous synth pop sound. Lauren Mayberry's lyrics are constantly challenging her relationships, the way she views the world, and the way the world views her. Chvrches is a complete package and even though it makes no sense, I am drawn to it like a moth to the flame.
I heard The Mother We Share on a Pandora station I had and was instantly hooked. I bought the album, slid the CD in my car’s player, and it didn’t leave for the better part of 2 years. I’m most in love with the electronic elements, especially the synths. Iain and Martin are geniuses IMHO. They layer synth lines with guitar effects and vocal loops into a modern symphony. Even more so, the particular passages of the album that are the most satisfying use emptiness, sparsity, the negative space, to build to volcanic eruptions of joy. For instance, the first 2:40 of Tether feel laid back, dripping with anticipation until the fist pumping synth line punches through. Or the end of the 1st chorus of Under The Tide that builds only to go straight into the second verse while the 2nd chorus builds and builds into a jump inducing resolution. The juxtaposition, the unresolved 1st chorus, makes the 2nd that much more emphatic. The live show Chvrches puts on is great. My favorite song live from this album is Science/Visions. It’s got the pedal to the metal from the jump. I must say if they would vary the set list show by show, I might go on tour with them permanently. Lauren’s brilliance shines through lyrically as well. On Lies she evicerates a former romantic interest to a pop soundtrack. She asserts her power after putting up with his shit for too long. I finally figured you out…don’t fuck with me. And on Lungs, which is a track I appreciate more and more as time goes on, the pacing and phrasing of her delivery about another deceptive relationship is something special. To Iain, Lauren, and Martin, my deepest gratitude for sharing your gifts. This is my favorite album of all time. 🙌 ❤️ 🙇🏻
ז'אנר מטורף, 4/5
HOLY banger asf
Day 24 of listening to 1001 albums, one day at a time. I’ve really had the chance to give a synth pop album a listen so I don’t know what to expect. I must say I really enjoyed it. For a debut album, it really shows what this group is capable of and how well they can deliver. While I think there are some songs that stand up to some of the other, there are all pretty great. Mayberry is able to use her voice to cut through the production so well and a layer of emotion to synth that usually isn’t there with most other synth music. Where this album of course shines is the production as a whole from being great and punchy to the last song feeling like I’ve been transported to another dimension. It’s so amazing how they are able to blend the singing of members with the electronic and synth sounds to great a pretty good album.
Th variety I needed I debated a 4
Damn the year 2013... I didn't listen to chvrches but the Eric Prydz remix of Tether was in my playlists. This type of music makes me nostalgic for when i started going to EDM festivals. This is why rating albums like this is hard. Allot of it depends on a small part critical review and a lot of nostalgia or bias. While i don't think this is revolutionary it reminds me of how electronic music were made in an era I was a part of.
Rather liked this, not exactly a master piece but pleasant to listen to. All 4 albums added to favorites for future listening.
Entertaining. A bit monotonous. Kinda doubt this is one of the 1000 best albums ever made.
Loving the vibe. Love the vocals too.
Bella la prima, mi è piaciuto tutto.
68/100
Don’t know this. Let’s go ‘We have Silversun Pickups at home’ Sounds just like them but softer and significantly less challenging. Pleasant voice There’s not much here. Superficial. 2 star
Not bad but nothing spectacular.
While this isn't my favorite CHVRCHES album, I am ecstatic they are on the list. Killer band.
Good example of electronic indie music; I don't really care for it.
A bit samey overall. I was hoping that it would grow on me, but it started to grate as it went on.
Per Wikipedia: 'Kyle Ryan of The A.V. Club complimented Mayberry's songwriting and wrote that Chvrches "have crafted one of the year's best albums, which means that buzz won't be dying down any time soon." ' Well, it *did* die down. The more Chvrches released albums after this debut, the less the rave was noticeable. And so reviews for that cheesy synth pop band became less and less positive, until ten years later, virtually no one gives a rat's ass about their music. And truth be told, the latter was not even that extraordinary in that debut LP. Chvrches is, for all intents and purposes, a watered-down version of The Knife / Fever Ray, Baths or early Grimes, without the quirks or the creative spark that made the latter artful, mesmerizing or inspiring. With a different, more sophisticated chord sequence, cuts such as "Lies" or "Science/Visions" could have had some merits. Unfortunately, style *always* takes precedence over substance in *The Bones Of What You Believe*, a revealing title in the sense that there's zero "flesh" in this album. The result is the blandest harmonies and the most predictable vocal lines you can imagine this side of late-noughts / early 2010s "poptimism". Lauren Mayberry is not even that stellar a performer. Behind all the gloss, some of the vocals have their share of flaws and undercooked aspects. And for a record with such obvious commercial goals, such flaws are laughable at best. So including this record in a 1001 "essential albums" list only betrays how out of touch said list has become for the last two decades. Dimery and co. trying to stay "hip" during the 21st century mostly produced blunders of epic proportions. As is the case here. Incredible how this album aged fast. You can bet your boots the next time there will be an eighties resurgence, most listeners with a decent knowledge of music history will still dismiss Chvrches as a mere footnote about passing trends that don't matter in the long run (file under "poptimism", once again). Of course, that will take out Taylor Swift fans, who might see some sort of lineage between Chvrches and their idol's latest synth-pop "era". But are Taylor Swift fans *really* interested in music history? The jury's still out on this one... 1/5 for the purposes of this list. 6/10 for more general purposes (5 + 1) Number of albums left to review: 170 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 361 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 208 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 265 (including this one)
Ok. Don’t hate it. Can’t say I’d listen to the whole thing a lot, but it’s fine.
I was vaguely aware of the band but in my head they had a male lead singer (maybe I was thinking Eric Church?). Decent pop album I guess, no idea what makes this album significant enough to make this list.
1.6 I ended up skipping part way through every song, that can't be good.
Loved this so much, electric pop at it's best
Synth-pop, indie pop, electropop, dance-pop.
Better than I expected. I liked it more than my spellchecker did.
This album isnt bad, but its just not doing anything for me. Breathy vocals and urgent synths can sometimes be my jam, but this isnt grabbing me. 3/5
3.5
Not my thing
Synth Pop at its greatest... Love it, need to listen to more...
First 5 stars!! And the easiest one to give. Big fan of CHVRCHES and whilst I’d say this is probably my lower ranked of their albums, it’s still an amazing record. So many good songs on it - Lungs is one of my faves ever. I think people either love them or hate them, or are possibly indifferent to them. For me, it’s love. They’re also one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen - if you’ve seen them at the Barras in Glasgow, you’ll know.
Pleasant synth pop with a smattering of casual swearing
It's quite monotonic
I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed this album. I was doubtful because The Mother We Share is so overplayed.
There's more depth to this album than I would have expected. The songs are really tight for a first release.
Liked it more because it was different than so many of the last ones.
Didn’t know this one from Adam. Enjoyed the majority of it. I could see me listening to this again some day. Especially while doing yard work like this time.
very different, somewhat enjoyable
Flashbacks of fifa 14
Too pop.
synth pop dance sound that is somewhat a throwback. doesn't quite reach me.
Ultimately, the next big thing level was probably prematurely taken out of the protective case.
I mean, ok, sure.
I feel like Chvrches is a bit worse M83, but without great songs, only with those average ones. The vocalist is pretty good, but none of the songs hooked me in, it was just a pretty good background noise. I might listen to it again, but I wouldn't do it on purpose, I guess.
The music of this roguish trio distinguishes itself positively from most other synthpop bands of this era, because they sound a lot less dark, cynical and generally arty-farty. That's not to say that their lyrics have the same positive vibes. Great album and a superb debut
Enjoyed this and didn’t know they were Scottish - tether was my favourite tune
Scottish synth-pop, so I should like it but I rather prefer acts like the Knife, Fever Ray, Ladytron, Robyn etc. Would have gone for 2*, but the lyrics are bringing it down.
Beats me why this is on the list. The overall sound of the band is not that bad, but the vocals are quite annoying and the songs are extremely formulaic.
Entertaining and easily digestible synth pop.
Sometimes it's nice to get a straightforward minimalist pop album. There's a granular quality to the sound that I really liked. The album is loaded with singles, most of which are pretty strong. As a full album, it does drag a bit from lack of variety but there's enough on here to enjoy.
Synth-based pop. Could have come from the 80s or 90s. It's OK. Upside...they are Scottish.
LOVE Lauren Mayberry's vocals. Gorgeous blend of 80s synths, modern pop and a sheen of British 90s electronica. Could I definitely say it's in the greatest 1001 albums? Not sure. Do I love it? Yep.
seems a little teeny boppy, but i enjoy the beats/music
I enjoyed the songwriting more than any other electronica I have listened to and this might be a 3.5, but going with a:
Wow. I kinda always knew I'd love CHVRCHES but I REALLY loved this. And a debut album too? Just an awesome sound. Synthy but not so synthy it was annoying. Great vocals, too!
Yllätyin kuinka paljon jaksoi digailla tätä levyä. Kuuntelin kolme kertaa läpi ja vielä kertaalleen seuraavana päivänä. En osaa sanoa miksi, mutta tykkäsinpä kuitenkin.
Ihan positiivinen uutuus.
It was ok Not my cup of tea but I did enjoy some songs.
Someone discovered their grandma's synthesizers!
I wonder if the only electronica that's in any way palatable is either from or referencing the 80s. Just enough beat/melody ratio for me. I don't mind that all the songs sound the same. I have a weakness for female lead vocals + the accent is fun. 3.5 stars.
Too pop for me
It's alright
There are better synth pop albums out there
Solider EDM. Nix besonderes.
Synth pop in general and CHVRCHES in particular are fine, but nothing here grabbed me. I don’t regret listening but I also don’t see me putting this album on any time soon. I wonder if their popularity says more about when it came out than anything else
This really sounded like a mixture between Lorde and Kidz Bop somehow… I felt as though the last song didn’t fit in the album either- it completely felt different and was surprising to hear. I’m not really sure how to feel about this album; it felt a little immature but also deep, although I know those are contradictory. I didn’t hate it but it confused me in a not great way.
Feels like I could either patronizingly skewer this or praise it. The childlike/simple vocals (a great review has it being a mix between Lorde and KidzBop) have this almost childlike quality which isn't necessarily devoid of emotion but approaches it. Yet that vocal clarity kind of cuts through the synths perfectly. And wow...the synths...: everywhere and everything. Almost right away the sequencers seem a bit much. On every track. I guess that's the entire point of the album/band. But.... still the melody is pretty damn infectious on every track. Maybe it's not necessarily a dichotomy that the sound is so lightweight AND each song carries a strong melody. My biggest *want* would be that I keep thinking that on at least some of these songs changing up the instrumentation to add some organic elements like guitars - both electric and acoustic - could really have pushed this to another level. Still - what they do, they do pretty damn well here. Not sure I can listen to the entire album as a whole again but I can't dismiss it either. 7/10 3 stars.
Will Never listen to that album anymore, really not interesting
Not bad but not my cup of tea
Synth-pop, indie pop, electropop, dance-pop.
Pleasantly surprised - enjoyed this!
I liked it. Different
The synth-pop was a fun change but it’s not my favorite, the lyrics/voice was too much for me.
This is very much not my kind of music, but a couple of sounds kind of won me over. I thought Science/Visions was a standout. I doubt I will think about this album again after today, but for what it is, I think it is a good example of this kind of music.
I'd like to like Chvrches more, but I just don't find a connection with it. Some of the 'hits' are interesting, but, overall, it doesn't ignite anything for me.
This album has everything that I should love about 2010s music and while I still enjoyed quite a few tracks from this album, something about it didn’t fully click with me. It’s somewhat similar to arcade fire but even more synthy and that might be what didn’t work for me. It was almost TOO 2010s synth pop for me which is saying something. Regardless, the first two tracks and you caught the light were the standouts
Meh
I did not like this. I found this to be very mediocre.
Catchy, well done pop. The voice sounds so neutral, that it doesn't express any emotion at all to me, the music has it moments but tires fast as it doesn't swing. Ultimately it's well done but sounds sterile to me.
I really enjoyed the record but the length was just a bit too long for me.