They Were Wrong, So We Drowned

Kind of a mess I like the energy, probably not the best thing to listen to first thing in the morning while trying to work

Dark grimey stuff emphasizing dissonance and discord, deconstructing the synthy indie dance punk music of the era by running it through an industrial shredder and attempting to recompose the remainder.

This was a really interesting experimental album. I love a lot of the lo-fi production on it, the atmosphere and the odd percussion they employed throughout. I don't know how often I'll come back to this, as I feel I need to be in a certain headspace for it, but I certainly enjoyed it. 3/5

I like how experimental obscure music finds its way into this list. It was an interesting listen but i would prefer something more ... idk, coherent and shaped than this. still, it was fun to listen

3.9

Unlike (apparently) the majority of users here, I don't hate this. A Williamburg hipster band moves into the woods to record a noise rock (which is not nearly as noisy as you'd expect) album about German witch trials. Yeah, ok, it's kind of pretentious and clearly not made with the intent of going platinum. But try not to take it too seriously. It's quirky and weird and pretty fun. As another reviewer said, it helps to imagine a campy coven of witches dancing to this, like Halloween decorations come to life. Look, this is never going to be a favorite on the generator, but it deserves a bit more love than it's gotten so far. It's unlikely to be one that I'd return to often, but I enjoyed the refreshing weirdness of the concept.

Thought it was pretentious shit at first. 40 mins later I still found it pretentious, but less shit. It grows on you.

3 - surprisingly enjoyed this

Idk that I'll ever listen to it again, but I appreciate that it exists. I love the weirdness and the witchcraft themes.

Choosing this album over Drum's Not Dead is the equivalent to choosing With the Beatles and leaving out Revolver.

6.5/10 Interesting. At times even enjoyable. Highlights: Flow My Tears the Spider Said Broken Witch Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway

cool experimental

Enjoyed this one, it was jagged and messy and contemplative and weird.

Strange

This is weird as heck

Not bad...

Very crazy listen for a few reasons... sonically it's wild, but the influence is crazy. Sounds very, very similar to Animal Collective's "Sung Tongs" (also 2004) and turns out they're both from the same NYC music scene. This album is a direct predecessor for Radiohead's "The King of Limbs" - - the first 2 tracks "Bloom" and "Morning Mr. Magpie" are direct copies of certain parts or beats from Liars. There aren't many things that Radiohead sounds like but this is definitely one of them (Radiohead is waaaay better but they did rip this off).

Ok

Surprised I'm ambivalent on this one, because noise rock stuff tends to be up my alley. Most of the songs just feel repetitive in a way that loses my interest, but I will say starting at Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway, things get interesting. They Took 14 For the Rest of Our Lives had an uneasy repetitiveness that was cool. Good album. Will probably listen again sometime.

It’s a rare day when I’ve never even heard of the artist that the algorithm has delivered to me, but today is one of those. Liars, it turns out are a noise rock band and one that to my ears take influence from the. Lever Underground with a long, repetitive , weird jamminess to a lot of their songs, only it’s sped up and gives it all a tribal feel. I’m not quite sure why this is on the list. It was averagely received at the time and its critical reappraisal has also been average. In fact the only notable thing about it seems to be that it’s on this list. I thought it was ok but more of a curiosity than something I’d return to.

I just don’t really hear much in the way of songs or melody on albums like this. The whole thing just leaves me pretty flat.

O primeiro disco verdadeiramente experimental que a lista me entregou até então. Outros álbuns flertavam com o experimental, utilizando de um elemento ou outro pouco ortodoxo, mas este disco em específico veste sua esquisitês nas suas mangas. Não é ao todo ruim. Lendo as reviews daqui fica claro a polarização causada pela sua sonoridade nada típica. Parece que ou você odeia ou você ama o que ouve. Eu estou bem no meio da escala. Eu gostei de muitas das idéias e da execução de tais idéias expostas aqui, mas também achei que faltou um pouco de garra. Eu gosto de música experimental, e gosto de ouvir coisas que me surpreendem. Prefiro bem mais do que ouvir um disco que não me faz sentir nada. A instrumentalização é engajante, Wikipedia descreve o disco como tribal e eu consigo entender o porquê. É uma apta descrição do seu som, casando o primitivo com o barulhento. Umas passagens dronísticas aqui e ali, é um disco que te desafia a manter a atenção e não viajar no universo que ele próprio tece e constrói. Mas eu achei o resultado final um tanto quanto morno. Parece que ele não vai pra lugar nenhum com as trilhas que desbrava. Por mim, qualquer direção mais extrema serviria, tanto pro lado melódico quanto pro lado abrasivo. Mas o morno me deixou com tesão por mais. Quem sabe na próxima? 3.5/5

not so bad but wtf

A very cool experimental album. Very innovative and necessary for the ongoing progression of music. But, like John Cage, it is rarely enjoyable. In the spectrum of experimental to enjoyable, this album leans on the experimental too often. I find that early Pink Floyd leans the other way. 2.5/5

Interesting album. Love the clash-iness however given the experimental nature of this, something felt lacking and could have been pushed a bit further. Despite the obvious racket, it still felt a little too tied together and pretty and I wanted more mess. Waited for The Song to make an appearance but it never did. Fave track - there's always room on the broom.

Listening to this in the hotel room I already suspected was haunted really enhanced the experience.

From the genre tags, the year of release, and the long track titles, I expected to like this a whole lot more. It’s not bad by any means - despite the large aversion that people on the 1001 generator site seem to have to anything remotely experimental. There’s this vague theme of witch trials, which is great as I studied them for my Early Modern History A level. Images of the dark sabbats ‘neath Pendle hill and the infamous scale of Salem come to mind. But the music itself is just OK for the most part. It feels like something that, no matter how different from regular rock it is, has been done before. There’s constant twinges of Mute records label-mates Nick Cave and earlier iterations of Swans, with none of the fresh flair that they brought in the 80s. It’s experimental in the sense that the sounds are dissonant and the vocals / lyrics are strange, but not in the sense that the ‘experiment’ here yielded any results.

Quirky and noisy, and a welcome relief to hear some innovative music after 92 painful minutes of Van Morrison. Not all of it hits the mark but firing so many glitchy/noisy tunes some of them are going to miss the mark. Would be a buzz to see live.

I usually hate this kind of experimental shit. It's just tasteless and really doesn't require that much musical ability. This reminds me a lot of Throbbing Gristle, Kollaps, etc. Industrial music isn't music. But this is a very listenable album from a genre I hate. I didn't mind this at all honestly. I did quite like There's Always Room On The Broom, They Don't Want Your Corn,

Not really into noise rock, but this isn't bad. I found some entertainment in it, but it's still not really for me.

Never heard of this band/album before, and didn’t know what to expect. Certainly never saw noise rock coming! Every so often in college I would find myself at a friend-of-a-friend’s experimental noise show. It was always in some forgotten room of an industrial building with cement floors, the smell of PBR and BO wafting through the stale air. Some rich kids with greasy hair and threadbare undershirts would fuck around with pedals and amps and synths and there would be cables running everywhere and the sound of fuzzy crumpled paper and dial-up aol static harassing my ear drums at unreasonable volume. I didn’t get it. Why? Where did this come from? Am I supposed to like this? Does everyone else here like this? Is this music? I would ask myself. This album explains SO MUCH, and that experience I now understand to be very of its time. Probably will never listen again, but 3 for the millennial college nostalgia, introducing me to the most listenable example of the genre I’ve ever heard, and serving as an actually not terrible workout playlist at the gym.

This shit was weird as hell. First listen I thought it sucked. Read up on it and listened again. It's a concept and well enough executed. Not my jam but not bad.

experimental and alternative but its listenable, not my taste but interesting nonetheless

Top 10 lowest on the site damn. twas weird 50/100

I stopped going to Liars shows around 2007 or so - still loved the records through Mess - but the audience yelling out WE’RE DOOMED! WE’RE DOOMED! was always a highlight. My contempt for folks who call this “pretentious” is undefeated. So what if you don’t like something? I hate a lot of stuff and try to suss out why that is the case without relying on that silly bro intellectual shorthand.

music for an art show where the art & background music are meant to be offputting both the music and art show are offputting in a way that's cooler than you want to admit music: regarded expressionlessly. (⌐■_■)

3/4

Pretty amateur but I still sorta enjoyed it

Really pleased to have heard this. Clearly a noise record of sorts but somehow it's indie sleazy as well. Feels like a lockdown album. I've bookmarked it for the next pandemic.

It was better than I thought it would be.

Pretty damn good for music for upper class art students

Noisy, but not bad.

I always like when a band makes music that stretches the definition of what I previously thought music could be. Liars fill their songs here with distorted bursts of demonic noise, droning instruments, off-kilter rhythms that sound almost tribal or maybe possessed, and chanted vocals. It's a weird, creepy trip, but I was along for the ride. It probably falls just shy of making me want to listen to another Liars album anytime soon, but I'd be curious to hear more.

Steam punk

A very raw and industrial record. I wouldn't have found this on my own, so that's what the list is for! 3/5

Oh, boy, and here we go opening August with one of the bottom ten albums on the entire website! Been a hot second since my group's gotten one of these... I think the last one we got was DUCK STAB!/BUSTER & GLEN? Goodness. Well, I guess it's about time we got to take another peek at the albums the people on this website hate by average. Now, look, I get why it's got a 2.1 average, I really do. I mean, I'm not gonna go off on a tangent accusing the users of hating anything that isn't 60's or 70's pop rock, 'coz, like... This is absolutely not for everyone. I mean, frankly, it's for such a small group of people, I'm not surprised that even in critical circles this thing has only gotten a 64/100 average on Metacritic. You introduce this album to the average Joe or Jane, they're not gonna be able to make heads or tales of the noise, freeform beats and unusual, sometimes discordant melodies (if you can even call them "melodies," anyway). I don't blame people for rating this thing so lowly, or I'm not accusing them of "not being able to open their minds" or whatever. Some people are just never gonna gel with this. What about me, though? Did I? Well, I think for my experience, it helped to keep this album's... Y'know, rather loose concept in mind. See, apparently it's about a bunch of witches gathering on a mountain called The Brocken during Walpurgis Night... Or something? I'unno. Basically, I just imagined that I'd accidentally stumbled across a witchcraft ceremony on top of a mountain or in the middle of the woods and that the album is the music they were making as they danced around a fire. Vaguely tribal stuff, I guess? In any case, framing the music in that way did help me understand it and explain a lot of its choices. But does it mean I actually **liked** this album? Well, as long as I kept the image in mind, I didn't... **Hate it**, but... Eh, honestly, I ended up being kind of average on it. I mean, sure, it was a far more interesting listen than any number of random and generic-ass 60's psych or 2000's indie rock albums this list could've given my group, but I'unno. Just because I get what this thing's going for doesn't mean I hafta be too excited about it. Besides a rare few spots, the thing mostly just kinda passed me by. That's the weird thing and most experimental music. I feel like I've got the kind of brain that's particularly attuned to understand this kind of music and hear past a lot of its weirdness to understand what's going on underneath. As a result, however, unless it's particularly egregious (I've sampled that SPY VS. SPY album ahead of time 'coz I was curious, and **oh wow**), more often than not I just end up being kind of bored by it. Like, "Yeah, cool you can do all this weird shit––and? I mean, am I supposed to be impressed by it? I ain't gonna say 'my kid could do that' or anything, largely 'coz I don't have one, but, like... I never understand why I'd listen to this music beyond this list, besides wanting to act like I'm smart because I'm listening to weird music." I mean, don't get me wrong: weird, experimental music has its place. I think it's great that there's people going out there and pushing the boundaries, and I think it's worth listening to. Even if you come out of it absolutely hating it, at least you expanded your horizons. No generic-ass 60's psych album is gonna do that like an album like this will. But on a pure "enjoyment" level, which seems to be how I rate most of these albums... I did more than I didn't, though I doubt I'll ever come back to this. It was something to see the witches dance around on the mountaintop once, and now that I have... I don't need to again. Just what it is.

It's not as bad as some users on here think it is, but it's still kind of unremarkable. Solid 3 Stars.

I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump down to a 3. Not deserving of a 2.1 average and a top 10 lowest rating on the site at all – honestly, this is a totally fine album. Abrasive? Sure, a little bit, but even in terms of “noise rock”, I have literally heard more ear-piercing & screechy, manic albums on the list than this. This doesn’t even hit the same level of pure noise as the final 2 minutes “Seasick” did off of “Penance Soiree”, which is still arguably the worst 2 minute stretch I’ve had in the 579 albums we’ve gotten so far. I really can’t figure out why this has a 2.1 on the site other than being scared of the lack of an acoustic guitar or a “traditional” melody, but like… this is a pretty competently produced album. A lot of the musical sensibilities are there, with the instrumentation just swapped out for slightly harsher & more avantgarde stuff. Guitar melodies are more overdriven or synthy, percussion takes on a more breathy & monster-y tone, et cetera. I *DO* think this album slacks on providing good “dressing” for each track (i.e., complimenting the lead melodies with enough instrumentation to fill out the soundscape), and it does leave some of the tracks a little more try than they need to be. That said, I didn’t mind listening to any of this at all, and it’s a solid enough 40 minutes if you’re not as sensitive to the eccentricities of it. So… why am I at a 3.5 bumped down to a 3, then? It’s just not the most compelling album, really. Competent, yes, but in terms of maintaining interest & keeping me engaged, I don’t think that many tracks truly got there. I enjoyed about 7 of the 10 tracks here, but in terms of actually being fully engaged with them all the way through as opposed to just admiring the soundscape, I would say… I dunno, maybe 2 or 3 tracks, at most? This album also has some clear flaws in my brain; not egregious by themselves, but when stacked up, just kill the flow a bit: too much repetition, too many tracks that go just a little too long, & barely any payoffs to the some of the bigger buildups that happen in each track. You can sit there through a long segment that feels like it’s leading to a crescendo that just never shows up, and it kind of deflates the track a bit. If this album were a little tighter, a little shorter, and a little more musically inclined to give those payoffs, I’d definitely be inclined to bump this up to a 4. However, this album just never gets THAT compelling, and all the things it does to try and offset that never really worked for me, no matter how much I mostly enjoyed the sound design & “weird” witchy tone of the album. It’s like sitting through a decent production of a play; nothing’s ever wrong or bad, it’s just not as good as it could be, and it just doesn’t feel as satisfying. It’s certainly not a 2.1 nor is it a top 10 worst album on the site. I’d love to leave it at a 3.5 for my tastes, but I’ve got to bump it down to a 3.

With layers of rhythmic vocals over drum-heavy backing and peppered with electronics and skronky guitar, this album wanders around in the expanse between dance-punk and experimental rock. On the tracks where the band settles into a groove (such as "There's Always Room On The Broom" and "They Don't Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids"), their bizarre vision takes flight. "Read The Book That Wrote Itself" is an intriguing near-ambient piece and the final track "Flow My Tears The Spider Said" is a tranquil number that brings the album gracefully to a close. However, in between those songs are noisier, less structured tracks that aim more towards the experimental but never really gel.

Ne bi nikad ovo izabra od njihovih albuma ali ajde🤣

i'm familiar with a few albums from this group. never heard their earlier work tho Broken Witch - 3/5 Steam Rose From the Lifeless Cloak - 1/5 There's Always Room on the Broom - 2/5 If You're a Wizard Then Why Do You Wear Glasses? - 1/5 We Fenced Other Gardens With the Bones of Our Own - 4/5 They Don't Want Your Corn - They Want Your Kids - 5/5 Read the Book That Wrote Itself - 3/5 Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway - 4/5 They Took 14 for the Rest of Our Lives - 3/5 Flow My Tears the Spider Said - 4/5 Average score: 3/5 huh. there were a few songs i thought were good or had potential to be good, but the majority of this album just wasn't for me i'm afraid. the last half was far more tolerable than the 1st at least it's cool to see their sound has improved significantly since. the dark and occult-like theme is kinda fun, as are the extremely long song titles

I went into this album fully expecting to hate it and I really didn’t. Sure, a lot of it is pretty abrasive and outright noisy, but there’s a surprising variety of things going on here. Occasionally playful and shockingly enough kind of atmospheric in places (e.g. We Fenced Other Gardens With The Bones Of Our Own). Cool uses of distortion. Overall not bad. Not something I think I’ll be revisiting much and I don’t doubt that these guys have better albums (seeing as this is only their second), but I harbour no dislike for it.

i too want to be a horse

first listen definitely interesting didn't love it though

alright noise rock/no wave stuff but not the kind i like

hávaðarokk áhrif, svona brúkklín danspönk. margt sem stuðar mig en ekki án sjarma, þarf aðra og fær. 3,5.

Groupe inconnu. L'album est totalement original, mais est très difficile d'accès. Impossible de prévoir où le groupe va nous emmener ! Chaque nouveau morceau est une surprise complète, qui donne envie de découvrir le suivant. Il est par contre très difficile à noter... Je ne pense pas l'ajouter à ma collection, mais je lui donne +2 pour l'expérimentation. =>3/5

This doesn't deserve to be as low a rating as it has, sure it's a bit of an acquired taste but nowhere near as bad as some are saying. It's a lot more interesting than The Icarus Line album from the same year that somehow made it onto this list. It's a strong 3 for me.

This is the first album of this list which lands in the top 10 lowest ranked, but judging by the genre tags, I thought I was going to like it. How it turned out? Well... I can say that I didn't dislike it as much as people did here, but I still didn't get a lot of enjoyment out of it. The main problem behind this album is how inconsistent and messy it feels to me. I have this sense that the band had some interesting ideas, but failed to properly execute them. To the previous point I have to add that the production is very rough, which makes this even harder to listen to. If there's something positive I can say about the album,I liked some of the songs, like 'Broken Witch', 'They Don't Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids' or 'Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway'; and I find it interesenting enough to give it 3 stars.

Awful but strangely compelling

Ummm…SOOOOO NOT my jam, but I’m certain they’re somebody’s jam.

Just okay sadly :-( waited a year for anything noise rock to show up on this list and it was a boring album. Wish the guy who made the list had better/more interesting taste, would've loved to see some Jesus Lizard or Shellac

Noise rock can be a tough listen. This is not. Songs are generally cohesive with rhythms and feels. A lot of good energy is captured. Not sure Inwould revisit this but seems like a high for the noise rock genre in that it didn't sound entirely like random playing but more composed. 3.5, I round down. 1=Crap that shouldn't be here 2=I didn't like it but get why it's here 3=I thought it was ok or even like it, get why it's here, but won't revisit 4=I like it, will revisit 5=This is some of the best music I've ever heard and will continue listening to it

Idk I didn’t hate it. It was fun and never that offensive. I probably wont revisit it over other albums similar to it but it’s nice to know that it exists.

sometimes it works, sometimes the wheels spin. sometimes hypnotizing, other times monotonous. gets better as it goes. favorite track is “hold hands.” give me that caustic guitar.

Solid record some new weird ideas, but ultimately falls short of putting something truly interesting together for me. I like where the liars are going, and I’m excited to check out more of their disco

Not as noisy or challenging as I thought it was going to be

I typically use music to separate myself from the chaotic racket of life. Rarely does that noise create anything resembling music, but occasionally the thunk of an air conditioner does match up with the splat of a dripping sink. So I appreciate it when a band chooses to focus on wrangling the chaos into art

-huh this is pretty interesting. quite reminiscent of some of Radiohead’s later electronic work to me -had a few good tracks but otherwise it was kind of a bit too meandering for my taste? idk it struggled to hold my attention but it wasn’t bad. i might like to check out some other stuff by this band -Favorites are There’s Always Room On The Broom and Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway

3.5/5

I didn't think this was great, but it is WAAAAY better than its overall rating would lead you to believe

Nice

First song made me think of Bloc Party or TVOTR. ‘We Fenced other Gardens’ almost had Radiohead vibes. ‘They Don’t Want Your Corn’ made me wonder what LCD Sound System would sound like with Wesley Willis as the lead. Even if some of the purely instrumental tracks or circus punk sounding songs weren’t really my thing, it kept my interest.

I don't hate it, I don't even dislike it, and I kinda enjoy it, but it's also sorta boring? It's an album, that's for sure.

Neither as bad as the 1 star reviews or as awesome as the 5 star reviews make out. An interesting if unconventional listen. Some decent melodies and riffs amid all the clangour.

An okay album, not really my style though I did like Flow My Tears The Spider Said.

Good.

This feels like one of those 'if you dont like it, you aren't cool'. I do like it, it do think its aggressively battling against being even slightly catchy, a bit try hard. But its clearly good

I just started laughing in the middle of the intro for just how goofy it was getting and imagined the rest of the album must be similar, I'm bot shocked I was right. I'm not usually a fan of experimental stuff like this but I totally appreciate the effort and risk taking aspect of it. Like in There's Always Room on the Broom can be an incomprehensible mess, and the background vocals sound like a mosquito stuck in your tent at night, but its SOMETHING. They couldve easily copy+pasted the formulaic stuff od their peers. The noise genre sucks, dont get me wrong, its annoying and hard to pinpoint anything relating to melody and its just awash with, well, noise. This wouldve been perfectly suited as a soundtrack for an indie student horror film.

A lot of drama queen reviewers for this one. Let me break it down Does this album suck? Yes of course Is it the worst album on the list? No of course not Were they at least doing something different and interesting…whether they succeeded or failed? Yes! Is it more interesting than the glut of boring British indie rock albums this list is inundated with? YES Overall it’s a failed experiment but at least it’s interesting and I’m glad I’ve heard it once and never again

Calling this interesting would be an understatement bordering on falsehood. This is unhinged, lunatic, clean, bizarre, vivid. Fever dream - the album. Listening enjoyment: 1.5/5 Deserves to be on this list: 5/5

They don't call it noise rock for nothing. Working from the concept, it's not bad. Just not a concept that I'm necessarily into. I do appreciate something that requires a little more pretentiousness to enjoy haha

I'm pretty sure I've never heard anything by them, or anything from this album, so a nice addition from the mystery bag of the collection. And from the outset it's definitely a different sort of sonic experience (especially compared to my previous album "Green Onions" and its instrumental bar snacks). I'm not sure their sound and this album is really to my taste, although I have to admit there's something a bit appealing about the industrial-adjacent tones of the opening track "Broken witch" and a few other tracks. A few other tracks sounded strangely reminiscent of Radiohead, though, which was kind of a fun contrast, especially "We fenced other gardens with the bones of our own", and the whole horror story and industrial/experimental noise aspect kind of reminded me of Marilyn Manson. I probably wouldn't have realized there was any sort of storyline or thematic unity to the songs, or the references to a German mountain called The Brocken, or an apparently pervasive element of horror storytelling throughout, without reading about the album in Wikipedia and the "1001 Albums" entry, so I'm not sure the concept album aspect is all that strong to the uninitiated. Regardless, though, it's hard to argue with their choice of a great album title (I also loved the Philip K. Dick reference with the final track title "Flow my tears the spider sais), and it definitely feels like this could have been a soundtrack to a horror film like "Blair Witch Project" or even "The Ring" at times.

I am very conflicted about this one. I used to think that they are an unique and amazing band, but I didn't fully enjoy the album.

It was interesting. Liked it more than the average here would accept lmaoooo. Its cool (2.5/5.0)

Not something I'd listen to on a regular basis but I like how experimental it feels. They may not have struck gold but they really tried some stuff.

Is it as bad as people say? Not really. It is a little boring, though.

Yeah, quite liked it

What kind of reaction this record elicits might depend on your headspace and general patience in life, but if nothing else I thought this was a welcomed dissonant deviation from the norm.

Hmmm

Interesting

Alright "experimental". Would like to listen to again in a better setting, not doing anything else. But it wasn't ear sharing noise like some other experimental stuff

Sounds like an ear infection

i'm a notorious hater of Weird for Weird's sake music and have 1 or 2 starred many other noisy, colloquially "bad" sounding albums on this list. so why did i actually kind of enjoy this one?? i have no idea. honestly, my biggest complaint is that 1001 albums picked this album instead of the better-known Drum's Not Dead, which i remember passing around my very pretentious friend group in high school. there are actually a few listenable tracks on that one! this wasn't, like... good, per se, but it tapped into the part of my brain that likes droney repetitive music and repeating/overlaid vocals. i felt like i traveled to a cave in the middle of the woods and witnessed a ritual i shouldn't have seen. 3 stars?

Jeg kan godt lide når min musik larmer. Jeg vil dog hellere have melodi i min larm.

Odd time signatures Lots of discordant noises Makes an eerie mood

Fairly okay! Def the most unique I’ve heard so far

Experimental noise rick that gives texture if very Fer memorable songs. Interesting.

3/5. A mixture of Thee Oh Sees and Nine Inch Nails, psychedelic witchy alternative indie tribal. Not sure exactly how to feel about it but it is new and it's not annoying honestly, compared to post punk. It's eerie, like I stumbled upon something I wasn't supposed to see. I wouldn't want to put this on while walking alone in the dark but it feels correct there. In the daylight, it's interesting enough to be enjoyable. Best Song: If Your A Wizard Then Why Do You Wear Glasses?, Broken Witch, Flow My Tears The Spider Said

I've never heard of this noise rock before. An interesting experience. In the end, however, I found the music a bit too exhausting. I probably won't listen to the album again. Nevertheless, it's good to see music like this on the list. 3/5

Took me a few songs to get into the vibe but I was enjoying it by the end. Definitely echoes of Throbbing Gristle. Favourites: 'We Fenced Other Gardens...' and 'Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway'.

Good

This album is LCD Soundsystem if they recorded in a Medieval dungeon. Hilariously funny song titles, and unexpectedly groovy tunes that forbode the uneasiest of atmospheres. Love the integration of birdsong and animal noises on certain tracks. Bleak, raw, and uniquely experimental. Best Tracks: - They Don't Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids - Flow My Tears the Spider Said Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 7/10

I'm being generous because at least this album is something different, but if you want to listen to experimental noise rock there is just way better stuff out there than this.

I would like to think the global ratings are way too harsh for this album, and maybe they are a bit, but music is subjective and not many listeners would give this the time of day. I thought it was actually kind of fun and a diversion of the typical albums found on the project, and like to hear some things that are way out there. 3/5

Цікавий альбом, щось нове для мене

Enjoyed it.

theres no way radiohead werent influenced by the opening track when liars opened for on the in rainbows tour.. damn near spot on bloom

Never heard of this band. Interesting so far. Reminds me of LCD Soundsystem. Very electronic. Not what I expected. Wonder if anybody has sampled these guys. So they're actually classified as noise rock. Don't have much history of "sampled". These guys can easily be sampled. Pretty cool stuff. Imagnie their live shows are pretty awesome.

I expected this to be much worse. The 1 stars a bit harsh. I think 2.5 is closer. Rounding up.

Da e greit

Good that there seems to be a theme running and is stays just this side of the edge. Plenty of other experimental stuff to select to fit the title of the list. Hear it once and move on. Well it's done.

insane

Wild, unconventional, interesting, though a bit too experimental.

Fun, experimental album, combining noise into pretty attractive. Maybe I wish it was just a tiny bit more than experimental. Can imagine myself giving it a higher score, and can imagine enjoying this album much more one day. Or in an alternative universe.

Nice vibe. Amusingly weird. There was one track in a propulsive 5/4, which I enjoyed.

3/5

fascinating soundscape, fun to learn about the (boring) creepypasta it birthed 8 years after

i’m giving this 3 stars because i have a soft spot for art college freaks, but i’m probably never going to listen to this again because it’s boring

It's a mood

I found this really interesting, but far from great. It just misses the mark in so many ways. Trying to be sinister but sounding kind of goofy. Trying to be clever but coming across as pretentious. Fantastic concept that they struggle to convey. I could go on. To me this sounds more like a demo that needs to be hashed out.

"They Were So Wrong, So We Drowned" is the second album by Australian-American noise rock band Liars. Noise rock, experimental rock and dance-punk are the Wiki-listed genres. Yep! The album is a departure from their post-punk inspired debut exploring a more free-form tribal sound. It is a loose concept album concerning witchcraft upon the Brocken Mountain during Walpurgis Night and tales of witch trials in the area around Harz Mountain in Germany. Good luck trying to follow that on this album. The album was produced by TV on the Radio's David Litek and the band. The band is Angus Andrew (lead vocals, multi-instrumentalist), Aaron Hemphill (percussion, guitar, synth) and Julien Gross (drums). This album had extremely mixed reviews from unlistenable to brilliant. "Broken Witch" opens with bells and electric interruption sounds which goes to a drumbeat. They go back and forth and finally combine. Chanting vocals come in. Wow, this is very industrial sounding. We get layered vocals and more chanting. A song about the Salem witch trials, I believe. Why not throw in some screaming and blood curling yelps. Hey, the third song, "There's Always Room on the Broom" actually has a melody, a weird one at that being an annoying electronic sound. Andrew is singing but there's layered falsettos and more chanting. It's a story about Brocken Mountain. I got to hand it to them, they have original song titles. "They Don't Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids" has a fast echoing synth, drum beats and a bass. Wow, this is danceable. I think it's about a school bus accident. "Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway" adds a distorted guitar with feedback, a bass and drums. This might be the closest thing to a normal song. Bird noises, an organ and a slooooowww drum beat anchor the closing song "Flow My Tears, the Spider Said." Repeatedly singing two-headed bird, Andrew is commenting on powerful empires. I'm not sure what his comments mean though. After reading the extremely negative reviews before listening to this album, I was already to go to the Mars Volta's "Deloused in the Crematorium"-level hate on this album, but, somehow I found this annoyingly interesting. This is very industrial, weird and rigid. They love electric noises especially the electronic interruption sound. There's chanting, singing and layered vocals. I had troubled making sense of most songs so I didn't even try following the concept. And yet on the second listen, I liked it even a little more. I can't recommend to this anyone except those that like weird, experimental music and half of those people will hate this. Listen at your own risk.

really cool and atmospheric albeit incredibly dated as an artifact of mid-2000s williamsburg lmao

There might be something here. It is, at least, a change of pace and unique from many other albums on this list. I'm unsure if I enjoyed my listening experience or not. I was engaged, which is something, so I can't hate it. I can't recommend it either. Some of the riffs kind of knock? There are interesting sonic ideas? A few songs are plodding instead of dynamic. "Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway" is probably my favorite. For what that's worth.

I think musical experimentation like this is important, but that doesn’t make it essential listening. Musically, it reminds me of some of the mid-80s No Wave stuff like Swans.

Noisy, discordant, and a little dancey. This is what would happen if LCD Soundsystem was weirder. Perfectly enjoyable. There were some passages where I would have enjoyed a bit more energy, but still enjoyed the album. The noisier bits were still fun.

An interesting listening experience. This was the first time I had listened to the Liars in particular and “noise rock” in general. The use of noise or samples as an instrument changed with the songs depending on how pleasant it was. Simple lyrics often used similar to the noise was effective. It will be interesting to see where this genre evolves.

Le monde y capote ben trop dans les reviews, c’est parfaitement écoutable comme musique. C’est juste que jsuis pas sûr si c’est un bon argument de vente

Super Noisy!

Like a 40 minute long panic attack put to music! But it was intriguing I have to say. Interesting listen if nothing else.

Somehow brought to mind both Swans and Sonic Youth - no small task. Pretty cool project. Probably a 3.5★.

Can't say it's an essential listen. It's fine. Middle of the road indie noise

I wish this went more places. Was potential here. Word so many people didn't even listen to it.

Wow I’m surprised how much my opinion changed by the end. It’s still not really my thing and don’t know if I’ll ever come back to it. I hated the first couple songs but then there were some interesting things going on throughout the rest of the album. Definitely unique/memorable. I try to be more generous for stuff that carves out its own unique lane and this does that. Rating: 2.7

Hints of Lightning bolt and Genghis Tron with a bit of a more minimalistic appproach. Fun listen.

## In-Depth Review of *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* by Liars Released in 2004, *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* marks a significant evolution in the sound and thematic approach of the band Liars. This sophomore album diverges sharply from their debut, embracing a more experimental and avant-garde aesthetic. Below, we explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and its overall influence, while also discussing its pros and cons. ****Lyrics**** The lyrics of *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* are steeped in surrealism and dark imagery, reflecting themes of witchcraft and folklore. The album is often described as a concept piece that draws inspiration from the German tradition of Walpurgisnacht—a night associated with witchcraft and revelry. Key lyrical highlights include: - **"Broken Witch"**: This track opens with a haunting atmosphere, setting the tone for the album. The lyrics evoke feelings of fear and dislocation, encapsulating the essence of witchcraft. - **"There's Always Room on the Broom"**: This song employs whimsical yet eerie imagery that plays on traditional fairy tales while infusing them with a sense of dread. - **"If You're A Wizard, Then Why Do You Wear Glasses?"**: This title exemplifies the album's quirky and absurdist approach to lyrical content. The lyrics challenge perceptions of reality and identity. The overall lyrical landscape is marked by a sense of chaos and unpredictability, mirroring the musical experimentation present throughout the album. ****Music**** Musically, *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* represents a departure from the post-punk influences that characterized Liars' debut album. Instead, it embraces a more electronic and noise-driven sound. The instrumentation features: - **Primal Percussion**: The band replaced its original rhythm section with a more aggressive percussion style that drives many tracks forward with a visceral intensity. - **Distorted Electronics**: Songs like "Broken Witch" utilize disjointed electronic sounds and manipulated drum patterns to create an unsettling atmosphere. - **Minimal Melodies**: Traditional song structures are largely absent; instead, tracks often consist of repetitive motifs that evolve through dissonance and noise. The production is deliberately raw and chaotic, which some listeners may find challenging but others may appreciate for its authenticity and artistic ambition. ****Production**** The production quality on *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* is intentionally lo-fi and experimental. The band sought to capture an organic sound that feels spontaneous rather than polished. Key production elements include: - **Live Recordings**: Many tracks feature live instrumentation that has been manipulated post-recording to create an otherworldly feel. - **Layering Techniques**: The use of layered sounds—ranging from distorted guitars to ambient noise—creates a dense auditory experience that invites listeners to explore its complexities. - **Unconventional Mixing**: The mixing choices often prioritize atmosphere over clarity, resulting in a soundscape that can feel overwhelming but also immersive. This approach has led to mixed reactions; some view it as groundbreaking while others perceive it as unlistenable. ****Themes**** Thematically, the album delves into concepts of fear, identity, and the supernatural. It challenges listeners to confront their preconceptions about music and storytelling through its exploration of: - **Witchcraft**: The overarching theme revolves around witchcraft as both a literal and metaphorical exploration of societal fears and individual isolation. - **Identity Crisis**: Many tracks question personal identity in relation to societal norms—an exploration mirrored in both the lyrics and sound. - **Chaos vs. Order**: The tension between chaotic soundscapes and structured musical elements reflects broader themes of disorder in contemporary life. These themes contribute to the album's reputation as a challenging yet rewarding listen for those willing to engage deeply with its content. ****Influence**** *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* has had a lasting impact on various genres within alternative music. Its experimental nature has influenced artists across multiple styles: - **Post-Punk Revival**: The album's embrace of noise and dissonance has resonated with bands seeking to push boundaries within post-punk music. - **Art Rock**: Its conceptual approach aligns with art rock traditions that prioritize thematic depth alongside sonic experimentation. - **Electronic Music**: Liars' incorporation of electronic elements paved the way for future artists exploring similar fusions between rock and electronic genres. The influence of this album can be seen in subsequent works by Liars themselves as well as in the broader landscape of experimental music. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The album's unique blend of genres creates an original listening experience that defies categorization. - **Cohesive Concept**: Its thematic unity offers depth for listeners interested in narrative-driven music. - **Challenging Yet Rewarding**: For those willing to engage with its complexities, the album offers layers of meaning that can lead to profound insights. ### Cons - **Accessibility Issues**: The unconventional structure and lo-fi production may alienate mainstream audiences or casual listeners. - **Polarizing Reception**: Critics have described it as both a masterpiece and unlistenable; this divisiveness can deter potential fans. - **Repetitive Elements**: Some tracks may feel overly long or monotonous due to their experimental nature, which can test listener patience. In conclusion, *They Were Wrong, So We Drowned* stands as a bold statement within Liars' discography. Its intricate blend of themes, innovative soundscapes, and challenging production choices make it an essential listen for those interested in the evolution of experimental music. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its polarizing nature, its influence on subsequent artists cannot be understated.

noisy, strange, short

It had a few interesting parts but overall it wasn't my vibe. I thought Broken Witch and There's Always Room on the Broom, and I loved their use of ambient noise and motifs on tracks like Flow My Tears The Spider Said, They Took 14 For The Rest Of Our Lives, and Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway. Noise rock isn't my thing, but I felt this was really well made and coherent for what is ultimately the musical equivalent of button mashing in Smash Bros

This one needed two listens for me to appreciate it. This reminds me of the experimentation of TV On The Radio taken up to 11. Also kinda reminded me of the band Idles who I really like. Very interesting ideas with the heavier sections and more ambient parts like a musical thunderstorm. Favorite songs were Broken Witch, They Don’t Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids, and Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway.

kinda headache-inducing but i can’t say i hated it. pretty good noise i think. i much preferred the non-lyric tracks/sections of songs. however the song titles and lyrics are sooooo 2002 edgy artsy dude humor—think fall out boy and their obnoxiously long song titles that you KNOW they thought were just so goddamn clever—that it makes me want to roll my eyes. it would have been better 1. without lyrics and 2. if every song were just called “untitled #3” or whatever. the second half of the album was much better than the first.

It was definitely a weird album, but I did not dislike it. It was all right. I liked 2-3 songs, but the rest was all right.

Would be 5 stars if it was called they were abbey so we road

I listened to this and then looked at the reviews. I actually enjoyed it but not suprised to see it's poor performance. If you spin back to the Residents, Throbbing Gristle and even The Mothers of Invention you'll see that there's a prescendence for this sort of thing.....

its a cool listen if not the ultimate standout

Probably never going to listen to this again, but I enjoyed it way more than I expected I would.

I don't know what to say about this album. I tried to keep an open mind, knowing this is from a genre a) I don't really listen to and b) isn't featured as often on this list (judging from other reviews). But like...I guess this was fine? I mean I don't think I liked it much at all, and it's really hard for me to imagine the person that does like something like this, so... good for them I guess? 3/5 because I'm hip.

I guess it's not high praise to say you liked something more than you expected, but this could be described as an unlistenable mess of noise, and I somehow heard the thread in the music. I even heard sparks of bands like Flaming Lips and Beck and a host of others in there among the strange sonic landscape painted by Liars. I can't say I liked it. I did want to keep listening, though — I was never compelled to skip. Another less than stellar review note. Didn't hate it!

Abrasive, but danceable. Sticky hooks and unique production. This is cool, but it is tough to connect to. There isn't much to grab onto besides the cool unique sound.

Some of the sounds and ideas were better in concept than in execution. I loved the rough and tribal production style but the majority of the songs didn’t particularly land for me. As a whole though I do think it established a unique vibe and certainly had a presence

Sounds very experimental. Will have to look into this artist /album as I'm sure it's creative in its use of technology, but it lacks in musicality. Would be 2 if I didn't suspect a lot of work went into it.

Can't listen https://tidal.com/album/25992302?u

Is it really post punk any longer? Idfk. Prob depends on your definition of punk. Regardless, this shit was an apocalyptically weird experimental mind fuck. Pretty cool, but not something I’m going to revisit much.

Interesting album half way through and enjoy it so far will continue to listen to the rest

I was very aware of the experimental noise rock scene of the 2000s, so I was a bit confused why I had never heard of Liars until today, but also a bit excited. Sure, they were a bit before my time by ~5 years, but that rarely stopped me; I may have been in my early teens, but I was reading Spin and Alternative Press ferociously by this point, and was at least aware of the Providence scene enough to know about any Brooklyn bands that may have passed by for a gig. Listening to They Were Wrong, So We Drowned, though, I understand how I missed it. This is experimental noise rock, with the stress on the first word. When you think of that scene today, you can reference Hella and Lightning Bolt and Melt-Banana and Boris and stress the second word, or maybe if you were actually alive at the time you’d think of bands that stressed the last word, like No Age and Japandroids or even Sleigh Bells. Liars doesn’t fit into either of these latter categories. They are taking the work of the no wave scene and running with it, as if their idols Sonic Youth never sold out. It reminds me a lot of Xiu Xiu, really deconstructing not only what a rock song can be, but what even classifies as “noise.” There are songs that are nearly droning instrumentals, but not in an Earth-like way with fuzzed out guitar feedback, but just…steady percussive thumps or single chord licks. It’s droning via constant monotony, not through minimalistic playing. And while I like that concept on paper a lot, I don’t find Liars to be a particularly….strong take on that approach? There are certainly moments where I think it works very well, and they still spell out a song in their alphabet soup, but there’s also songs that are barely a sketch, let alone studio-ready. Sure, that might be the point, but an idea is pretty boring to listen to, in my opinion. I’d say about 45% of this record is listenable while still being experimental, and the other 55% is better represented as a footnote during a lecture on the history of the noise scene. But even the successes chew the scenery, and are less successful than any high points from any of the bands I name-dropped above. Listening to They Were Wrong… tells me a lot about what type of “experimental albums” the editors found fitting to include on this list. While that flavor wouldn’t have been my choice, personally, I can respect it, and I can respect a lot of the bands that come from that school of thought, even if I don’t enjoy listening to their work. But while I would’ve been fine with Xiu Xiu or something, Liars aren’t particularly spectacular. They Were Wrong… may be more listenable than Liars’ no wave influences, but I wouldn’t call this a star-studded showcase. It’s just fine, tolerable if you’re down with experimental noise rock from 2000s era hipsters, and less tolerable if that description sounds intolerable to you. I’m fine with it, but it’s also not my cup of tea, and even as it is, it could be a lot stronger. Unfortunately, these experiments are pretty forgettable. I won’t be upset if Liars comes up on shuffle after my next Sonic Youth record pull, but I also won’t be going out of my way to hear this record in full any time soon.

I kind of like Steam Rose from the Lifeless Cloak, They Don’t Want Your Corn They Want Your Kids, Read the Book That Wrote Itself

Oof hard to listen to but interesting concept

Not very good, and a little obscure. Why??

Atmospheric.

I’m never going to listen to this again. But I didn’t hate it and it was easier to get through than I expected.

so weird it has to get 3 stars

Interesting for sure

Strange, noisy, and not too much memorable. Not exactly what I wanted, but maybe what I needed.

Ok at first, I thought it was horrible and puke level like, but once I broke into it… it was kinda like… oh- oh? Right, so it was enjoyable I’ll say, especially “read the book that wrote itself” is really good. The last songs are really good. 7.47/10.

Aldrig hört men då jag gillar noise och industri så tycker jag att det finns något.

I always look forward to the ones on here that are super low rated, they're always interesting. And while this one certainly is too, it doesn't quite keep my attention the way some of the other weirder albums on here do. There's a couple on here that really stand out, they manage to work the oddities into a pretty enjoyable few minutes, but a good part of the album just floats by without leaving too much in your memory.

while this isn't the Liars album I'd put on this list, everyone else here would be equally mad at Drum’s Not Dead.

Well, the genre 'Noise Rock' was a new one on me, but it does pretty much what it says on the tin. It's quite predictable that this album has received so much shade in the reviews - indeed it is among the very lowest rated albums - but it was completely terrible. I'd rather listen to this than Tom Waits or Scott Walker for instance.

Yet another ex-1001 album!™ http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex They weren't wrong, but they didn't quite drown! Interesting experimental noise rock, glad I listened, (once). Most surprising thing, it was released in 2004, I'd have guessed 1984.

I liked this album, but I'll say that this is not the album to review for the first time while you have a migraine. The vocals aren't amazing, but the music is good overall, and they do a lot of different things, from noise rock to synth pop 3/5

I liked it, didn't love it. I really enjoy its industrial influence and aspects. NIN, Marilyn Manson, and Orgy all coming through. All subsequently less heavy and way more chaotic. What I didn't like was the pacing, all a little too slow to put on and listen to for activity. These are the type of tunes to put on a zone out to.

Can’t decide how I feel about this one. Probably needs another listen.

Primer acercamiento a Liars. Lo disfruté bastante en sus puntos altos, especialmente por su ambientación lúgubre tan bien lograda. Gran composición alrededor de todo el álbum, mezclando elementos electrónicos con sonidos infernales. No obstante, no todas las canciones brillan igualmente y en algunas de ellas las vocales me sacaron del contexto que el LP buscaba lograr. Ante todo, un buen álbum y buena introducción al grupo. FAVTRAXS: Broken Witch / We Fenced Other Gardens With the Bones of Our Own / They Don't Want Your Corn, The Want Your Kids / Flow My Tears the Spider Said LEASTFAV: There's Always Room on the Broom 3.5/5

I like that they are trying something new, but I don't think their talent matches their ambition.

This is somewhere between a 2 and a 3. It's weird and it's got an industrial rock feel, though not as good as NiN. But it's not bad either. I could listen to it again. Definitely unique, which is probably why it made the list. The lyrics piqued my interest from time to time and all the experimenting had me curious. I don't know why. On another day this would very well be a 2.

✅✅ another album that isn't in my edition of the book. feels like music that ill come back to punk-ish with electronic squealing to replace some riffs. weird and fun, while also taking itself seriously.

This is the kind of stuff where I respect and appreciate the artistic idea, but I can't imagine a time where I would listen to it. Going to a show — sure. But listening to it on record...

Absolutely love the album art although it does not portend well that the music will be to my taste. Actually, this is pretty interesting. Not sure where I would fit it into a normal day, but I'm glad to have heard it. Once.

6/10

Not very cohesive but i do really like some of the songs!

I liked it!!

I kind of like the fun of it, I don’t think it’s meant to be taken too seriously, at least I didn’t.

This album is pretty interesting. I could see pegging this band as pretentious, but I found this album to be pretty irreverent and that makes it much more approachable.

A driving meditation? I did not fully comprehend this. It was not bad, so it's not a 1 for me. I may check it again later, so it's not a 2 for me. But its nit as enjoyable as my 3s. But I'm at a loss to review it.

Enjoyable experimental weirdness

Like many others, I’m puzzled as to how this album made it onto the list. To those who might think I “Just Don’t Get It,” let me clarify: I was deeply immersed in the hardcore underground indie rock scene, listening to bands like Liars, when this album was released. Even then, it fell short of my expectations. While it has a few enjoyable tracks, overall, its music hasn’t aged well. Back when this album was new, it was, at best, a mediocre indie offering compared to the other albums of its time. To earn a spot on a list of 1001 albums to hear before you die, an album needs to bring something truly exceptional to the table. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t measure up to the standard set by many other albums that didn’t make the cut.

reminds me of the garden or car seat headrest 3.5/5

Very weird album, more like experimental noise rock than alternative. That said, I did like it. It's very unique and not unpleasant. Im not sure I would seek it out to listen to again, but I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it, I think. Gonna need another listen to really decide.

Before listening: I've never heard of this band. I consider myself a fan of music and yet this band has never entered my air space. No one has mentioned them, I've never read about them, in my world they don't exist. Worse still, this came out in 2004, which means I was well and truly alive and reading NME in the university library. I have no idea what I'm in for. After listening: I have no idea what the hell that was. Thing is, I kinda enjoyed it, I think. It wasn't as offensive to the ears as Radiohead and I found myself running (I listen to these albums while running) and just getting lost in the music. I will probably revisit this album at some point, just turning it on and going about my day.

Fine. Sort of interesting, but nothing grabbed me enough to inspire a repeat listen or search out their other material.

I remember when this came out, and it was such a left turn from Liars first record, some people hated it. I really liked it then, and given the subject matter I’d revisit it around Halloween over the years. Listening again after many years, it still holds up, but not as much as it used to. Liars have expanded on this sound and improved. Still pretty good though.

For some reason, it feels like I’ve heard about this album in the past few months, but it was by someone else? At first I thought I it might that another band had an album called that, but it doesn’t look like it. I have to be conflating it with something. Pretty uneven, but I kind of dug it. When it was just noise, not so much, but when they had a groove going and some lyrics…yeah! I can listen to that. I agree with some of the other reviews on here. Despite my rating, I question as to why this was on the list at all?

3.25

I really appreciate their sound: some post-apocalyptic or dystopian scenarios, with heavy industrial sounds. "Read the book that wrote itself" suits as the background of a luminous art installation. However, the album did not really get to me. No specific reason I could share. Expected rating by Marc: 2

This is quite interesting.

I’ve listened to a few albums by Liars already, but this was new to me. They’re sort of hit or miss. The experimental/noise-rock style doesn’t really hit for me, but They Were Wrong definitely fuses more industrial music rather than just being straight up noise rock. I think this is my favorite album by Liars I’ve heard so far.

I can see why this album got low ratings, but I kind of liked it. It's atmospheric and interesting, never annoying or boring. I didn't love it enough for 5 stars, but it's definitely worthy of 3.

Dès la première chanson, j'ai eu peur ce soit le genre d'album expérimental/noise qui allait plus m'énnerver que me charmer, mais je me suis fait prouver le contraire par la suite. Ce n'est pas le meilleur album du genre que j'ai entendu, mais c'est loin d'être le pire. 7/10

This is a challenging album. I hated it at first, but gradually began to hear more of what it has to offer. There are times when I love it, but they are often fleeting. One to return to, definitely, but not often.

One of the few albums that I had no knowledge of prior to listening to and actually thought this was alright. I don’t think it’s an album everyone should listen to but it was something that I enjoyed for its uniqueness, odd ball post punk sound and originality. Most times those things don’t mix but it got the job done here. Nothing fantastic just interesting. 6.1/10

Loud, unpredictable, compelling.

Not as challenging as people make out. Track 7 was great.

This is pretty weird. Weird that it's on this list. Not sure how much I like it. I'll probably give it a 3/5 Not a 2, because I do appreciate what they've got going on... but not a 4 for me. I did kind of like Pere Ubu, but the goofy vocals threw me off... With this the vocals are a little more consistent and supportive. Something about "They Don't Want your Corn" that I'm digging. Also, "Read the Book That Wrote Itself" appeals to me more than the average person, I think. Also, the end of "Flow My Tears"... I like the space it leaves. Ok damnit... even though some of the lyrics seem a bit much... but "We Fenced" has a pretty good thing going. I might go 3.4 on this one. I’m not cool enough to round up to 4. It’s got some stuff I like but it’s missing something. Kind of wish this was Drum's Not Dead... because it seems like that one would be more my style.

Pretty standard affair

This is much more than noise rock, for the record. Sure it's experimental but there are mostly tangible drum riffs and melodies. It's pretty good and I'll be looking for more of them. You gotta be at least kinda I to it though

catchier than i thought it would be.

I expected to hate this - I’m not a fan of noise rock - but I was pleasantly surprised by the insistent rhythms of these songs which were otherwise noise. I’ll give it a bonus star for the fanciful song titles.

I haven't listened to Liars in a while but used to be a big fan of their album 'Drum's Not Dead'. I remember liking this album back in the day but wasn't recognizing any of the song names really. Upon initial relisten I wasn't digging the first few songs on the album. They felt more like noise rock for noise sake, wasn't feeling the music enough. Then, I feel like it really turned around at the half way point. I think there are some solid songs on here and I think it's a cool concept for an album, really like the album name/artwork. All in all, this album is pretty middling for me but not bad at all. I think it would make more sense to have 'Drum's Not Dead' on this list but oh well. Standout Tracks: We Fenced Other Gardens with the Bones of Our Own, They Don't Want Your Corn They Want Your Kids, Hold Hands and It Will Happen Anyway, Flow My Tears the Spider Said

Interesting and atmospheric

I didn't mind it. A good mindless working album.

3.1 - I appreciate that they’re trying to create something different but they’re trying way too hard. The result is something overwrought and utterly joyless. At stretches this makes me feel like I’m banging my head repeatedly against a cold, tiled wall of a psych ward.

Enjoyed that, don't listen to the negative reviews, give it a chance. 3.4

Ok

I never really noticed Liars at the time; I knew the name obviously, but anything I heard clearly didn't make a huge impression. Nevertheless, this is good. Even thought I was not giving it my full attention, there was enough in it to lift it into my consciousness and engage.

kind of a curveball. I'm pretty sure I've heard this one indirectly before, as one of many weirdo things my brother was pirating off music forums at the time. Haven't heard it at all since those days, surprised to see it coming up on the list

Oh this is a fun one. Super abrasive noise rock full of industrial sound effects and tribal beats and atmosphere. It's like a creepypasta in music format. Immature and over-the-top, but it certainly has the creepy mood and vibe, and there are plenty of innovative ideas so you don't get too tired by until you reach the end. Felt like they wrote the songs in order, and they started running out of ideas in the second half. Not even lying when I saw "Broken Witch" and "There's Always Room on the Broom" are perfect songs, and nothing feels extraneous or wasted. If they applied those skills to the other songs, especially the latter half which feels half-assed, then I'd like it so much more. Some Internet stranger described this as DXM music, and that's pretty accurate, with that "glitchy distorted" effect you hear elsewhere like early Animal Collective.

Of the 1001+ albums featured on this website, this one is currently rated third from the bottom by all of the listeners. A quick glance at the genre (noise rock/experimental rock) makes it easy to see why, and a scan of the song titles and abstract lyrics makes it even easier (“If Your a Wizard Then Why Do You Wear Glasses?”, “We Fenced Other Gardens With The Bones Of Our Own”). “They Were Wrong, So We Drowned”, a complete anomaly in 2004, was out to be arch, challenging, confrontational. Loosely created around the concept of a witch hunt in pagan times, with industrial music and noise-rock in mind, it’s certainly not an album out to make any friends, soundtrack “The Notebook”, or seduce Simon Cowell and his brand spanking new TV show The X Factor. We open with buzzing, atonal synths and FX, like the band are repeatedly calling a lift and trying plug in their amps. But then, something happens: the drums kick in and we begin to sense the shape of the record. Savage, primal, deadly. The vocals come barking out: tuneless, yelled, fierce, something about wanting to be a horse… but in startling rhythm. I should absolutely hate it, but there’s ended up being something oddly captivating about the sound of this record. To Liars’ credit, “They Were Wrong, So We Drowned” comfortably escapes the trappings of its time. It could just as easily have come from 1978 or even 2023 as it could from 2004, with a through line leaping out to bands like Black Midi or IDLES. And most of all, it’s unexpectedly groovy and dance-based: when “There’s Always Room on the Broom” comes crashing in, building a groove from a pulsing bass drum, offbeat hi-hat and grinding electronic noise, I was shocked to find myself grooving along. Later, when the cowbell came clocking in alongside the glitching synths of “They Don’t Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids”, I was bopping like it was Whitney Houston. And “Hold Hands and It Will Happen” is the best of all, pounding with a primal urgency it’s rare to hear in a lot of music. It’s never going to be unconditional love, but against all odds I not only tolerated this album, but was constantly captured and intrigued by it. Even if I never listen to it again in my life (which is likely), I’ll be happy to say it was quite a ride.

Not as bad as I expected. Actually, not bad at all. 3/5

I found myself intrigued and enjoying this. I’m glad to know about this band now. Very creative and gritty.

I have a soft spot for noise that knows it is noise and leans into it. Not good for driving, or sitting down with a cup of tea. Unexpectedly engaging for working out, organizing, folding laundry... and exceptionally good for pissing off my wife. "Can we listen to LITERALLY anything else?"

Nigel SHACKman. thank fuck this wasn't Neil Young again.

Come on then Nigel, tell us who you are

Listening to this album feels like masturbating while being crushed by two washing machines filled with rocks on low setting while the neighbor is having a paintball tournament with some stray cats inside his closet. So yeah, it's pretty great. 🧹🧹🧹

That was……unique. It was as if Trent Reznor and Ross Geller were stuck in a room together and got bored. If you know you know.

Different, good for noisy background music, might check out other albums

Weird stuff

A really challenging listen. I like it this way. I can't say I'll play it again. But it did hold my focus. A rarity these days.

Better than the rating would suggest for sure… kind of a minimalist, percussive noise rock with some catchy little bits here and there. 6/10

A very interesting experimental punk album. Those who know me better know my secret appreciation for noise music, so the content of the album did not scare me off. It did surprise me by how different it is from anything else I've listened to before. The dark overtones in this album give it an unsettling vibe in stark contrast so the albums we have had until now. I'm glad I got introduced to this album and that I got to experience it, but I do not think I will ever listen to it again.

Some of these songs seem practically purpose built for driving listeners away. The album has the affect of a schizophrenic's notebook.

I did not dislike this album as much as so many others here seem to do. It's hypnotising and at times terrifying industrial avant-garde. Pretty? No, not at all, but that doesn't seem to be the goal of the album.

Really weird and interesting album, though it sounds like something that came from the 70s/80s rather than 2004 Creates a great primal atmosphere Favourite tracks: Broken Witch, There’s Always Room on the Broom, We Fences Other Gardens…

I often felt that I hated this, but then I often felt fascinated by it. And sometimes it was really cool.

Not my kind of tea but it helped me focusing on work

Never heard of them before. I don't mind something experimental like this as a palate-cleanser

Didn’t know what to expect but enjoyed it.

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Hold hands and it will happen anyway

Pretty good, this is an album that definitely held my interest the whole time, even though it never really went the places I wanted it to.

Pretty decent, a good mix between then-modern indie and eternally cool post-punk. Not the most exciting or original sound, but I think it works! C

Quite enjoyed this but can't say I was listening that closely ...

New band for me and wasn't sure what to expect but honestly it was ok, not great. I still may search out some more material.

Maybe worth a single listen through. Some interesting sounds and songs, but nothing I need to explore further.

Not what I was expecting. Pretty good, i'm just not sure if i'd listen to it again.

The right kind of experimental rock

This kind of music is not the most enjoyable ones, but this album deserves praise for its originality, depth (apparently, it tackles a struggle between a village and some alleged "witches: as well as the Walpurgisnacht legend which states that one of the ways to drive a way witches is by making noise), and overall interesting adventure that it packs. It may not be pretty, but art doesn't have to be pretty.

98ito8io8s9p9989989e8lf 88999998

Hard to categorise- at times a wall of noise, others there’s something fascinating going on. An album to come back to.

A concept album about witch trials: it sounds interesting! Weird opening. This first song is alright but very, very strange. I guess I should have expected that from an album about witchcraft? Clearly very experimental. They deserve the 'noise rock' label. Again, the first word to come to mind for the second track is just plain 'weird'. I do have to say that I don't think it's actually all that bad? Probably a 3. I mean, if you like this sort of thing, go listen to it. Not really my type, but maybe, just maybe, I'll come back to it. I did finish it and thought it was OK, bordering on good. It was also fairly easy to listen to -- not really a chore: probably because it was alright and because it was fairly short. 6/10.

Wow the genrator reviews really hate on this...I didn't mind it, some cool sounds mixed in w the fucked up random noise. I'm esp into Flow My Tears the Spider Says

An album that feels like each track is pulling in a different direction – was hoping for a bit more out of this one, certain songs are executed well and show strong songwriting, but when each track feels like it’s off a different album it’s hard to constitute a focused LP.

Billlll

Not as crazy as I expected

5/10. Didn't sound great, but the witchcraft themed concept album aspect of it did a lot to save it in my mind. I could listen to this in the background on Halloween.

Þetta er... áhugavert. Þarf að hlusta aftur við tækifæri. Mjög hrátt.

This is trash. Sorry. I’ll still give it two stars though. Just useless and pointless. I have a song in my liked songs in Spotify. I just listened to that. Must have been drunk. Sounds like it was from a soundtrack to a show and it may have it I am guessing the bear. But yeah this blew.

Not sold myself but didn't completely hate - lots of the songs just sound like noise rising to a peak and then quietening

Störigt.

did not enjoy this. that probably exposed me as a Philistine, but its too experimental for my taste

I'm not even trashing it cause it's "artsy". I just think it's "artsy" in a way that doesn't have much sauce. The only song that really made me zone out into that good "experimental stare zone" was Read The Book That Wrote Itself

Need to listen to this before you die? This probably is the best version of whatever this is. The second half of the album isn't too bad, but that first half seems like a test.

Initially sounds like a migraine, then gradually becomes sort of hypnotic and toe-tapping. Not often pleasant but perversely intriguing, and easier to follow on a second listen. Tracks 2, 3, and 4 are hard work and physically horrible on my eardrums, but the rest are more enjoyable and less antagonistic. We Fenced Other Gardens, They Don't Want Your Corn and Flow My Tears are good. I was thinking it's music I need to be in a slightly masochistic Kollaps-y mood for – then I saw their artwork for There's Always Room on the Broom and it gave me a big chuckle.

bleh

oh man that is SUPER not my thing. This is the most pretentious thing I've ever said maybe, but listening through the first few tracks had me thinking about the debut of The Rite of Spring. Theater rioting and chaos and all because the music and ballet material were disturbing and challenging. I don't think there was a big concert hall debut for this, but people seem pretty upset in these reviews. Exact same thing tbh (JOKE). "Is this album like the Rite of Spring?", I thought. Nah. At least, I don't enjoy it like I enjoy Rite of Spring but I guess at the same time, music and audiences had ~80 years to keep growing and evolving and accepting by the time I was born to hear it. Rite of Spring is not difficult listening by standards today, at all really. This album is like, 20 years old. Maybe in 60 more years, noise rock will be seen like Stravinsky is right now. Likely? I don't fuckin know. I sure don't like it now, but it is at least something unusual here. Like, if someone ran up to me in the road screaming "YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS BEFORE YOU DIE GRAAHHHHH", it sure would be strange for them to put on some Everly Brothers. But if they put this on, it'd make more sense. Debatable whether or not I'd *want* to hear it before I die, but less debatable is that I have to hear, say, a late-career Elvis album under the same pretense. I don't. I'm gonna give this a 2 because some of the tracks were about 15% listenable due to the drums (groove is king) and the rest of whatever percentage goes into this 2 score is because of sheer intrigue.

More of an art film score than actual listenable music. I liked it but not to listen again. Experimental sound music dark and disturbing

Don’t get why it made this list.

Admire the effort. The hip move would be 3, but the reality is this is mostly unlistenable.

Nicht mein Fall

I couldn’t find this album on my streaming service, so I only listened to Broken Witch. It wasn’t nearly as bad as some of the reviews had led me to expect. Its industrial atmosphere was more interesting than I had anticipated. Still, it didn’t make me curious enough to seek out the rest of the album.

Listening to this album makes me scared, anxious and uncomfortable.

Awesome album name. The songs in this album are maybe a little too experimental for my tastes

I often like odd music and even things other people think of as noise. This falls into that category, but when the best thing about the record is the song titles, that's not a good thing.

Mmh.....

I don't see what the hype is about

based on the title and subject matter was expecting this to be odder and more aggressive. it's kind of stumbling around in the first few tracks occasionally bumping into something with energy but never grasping it. not hating it but it doesn't have the j u i c e

This was too out there with the weird sounds and the unconventional arrangements for this to land well on my ears. I was counting down the time till this album ended.

This was not as bad as I thought after reading noise rock.

They were wrong alright.

Not my taste but I’m giving it +1 for the awesome album name

That obviously isn't true.

Bird noises and wizards.

not for me. there wasnt a song where i thought i could try and like it.

I dislike it for the same reason I dislike family guy. "Hey what if we do an annoying thing?" Then it's annoying "But what if we do the annoying thing like 50x in a row". People who like family guy say "THEN IT BECOMES AWESOME AND FUNNY". People who like this album say "THEN WE TRANSCEND CRAPPY NORMAL MUSIC AND ACHIEVE AMAZING TRANSCENDANCE". For me, in both scenarios, I think, this just sucks. Unfortunately, there were a couple of songs towards the end that were actually enjoyable, so I have to give it a 2*.

This album is from the future, when robots take their first crack after conquering humans at making music.

While impressive technically, not my taste

Pretty unpleasant. Not sure I’d be able to listen to it without doing something else.

I can’t believe I finished this. More of a sound collage than an album imo. And it was bad.

j'ai essayé de l'écouter 4 fois

I was on the road, so started listening without knowing or reading anything about it. What is this rubbish, I wondered? Seemed deliberately unappealing. After two songs, I reflected that I could kinda understand arranging a gig, maybe getting a support slot, and playing stuff like this, in order to confront an audience about their preconceptions of 'music'. Or maybe playing one song to shock your friends, aka "for a joke". But would anyone ever consciously put on this album, thinking "I'll just have another listen, that will be nice / good for me"? Some of the later songs on the album were more listenable - even There's Always Room On The Broom, noisy but in a good way. But the seemingly invariably dead/straight rhythms were wearisome. Compare Gang of Four, The Pop Group, Red Krayola - a bit of swung rhythm, maybe even some funk, goes a long way to getting people to stick around for your agitprop and/or sonic experiments, rather than ducking out the back for a drink, smoke, packet of crisps, anything rather than keep listening to the same 4/4 clatter. I read a bit about the group and the album. Experimental yes but why sharing it? Some of this album is okay to listen to, but to listen to the album as a whole would be a painful homework or penance. It's Pretty Poor, 3/10.

iwie scheiße, mal wieder nur geräusche aber wenigstens noch nicht offensive

I dont like concept albums or incidental music which this has in spades. Disappointing considering some of their back catalogue is miles better

I don't believe I've ever heard of this band before. I prefer it when noise music combines noise with tuneful elements. This is lacking in tunefulness, and it makes it pretty tedious.

There were a few bits I liked. I enjoyed some of the ambience. But overall it just wasn't for me.

Noise

Is this this the worst thing I've ever heard? No, but that doesn't mean it's all that good either. I think there is a narrative I'm supposed to be following, but I can barely understand what he's saying half the time. So I have no idea what's going on. Two stars. (Favorite track: We Fenced Other Gardens With the Bones of Our Own.)

Mmmmmm… I don’t hate it (it’s no Opus Dei), but it’s not my vibe

I would like this album more if someone said "hey, have a listen to this, it's interesting." I don't think it's an album I need to hear before I die.

I don't usually like doing this, but I have to agree with Chas.

I’m kind of meh on this. I don’t think it’s as terrible as people say it is but it definitely isn’t great. The whole thing feels like a collection of unfinished ideas just thrown together. It’s not horrible, but it’s pretty hard to get into. Track 3 and Track 10 were probably the best tracks. The rest of it though? There’s a lot of waiting around for something interesting to happen, but it’s like the album is just stuck in a loop. Overall, it’s not terrible—it’s just not for me.

Unsure why this is on here

Idk