Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death

New album out today.

https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2020/07/188287-1595865238-640x640.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLNt8aMNbvY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A17xOusHXIQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE7vLPSfw6Q

I was planning to give it a first listen on vinyl but my pre-order hasn't arrived yet, so I might cave in and just use Spotify tonight.

Has anyone heard it? Thoughts, opinions?

Its good, dark and broody altough not as immediate as the last one. "a lucid dream" was a standout

It seems inevitable that bands I get into because of their big exuberant debut go on to record a muted, introspective follow up, and then I have to rationalize why I actually like the new direction better.

We'll give it a few days to see how well that sticks in this case. But my gut says that Dogrel will still come out ahead.

I guess theres always that worry for new bands that they don't make a carbon copy of the debut

difficult second album syndrome never goes away it seems

I never checked the first album out for some reason (their name irks me, irrationally) but I'll give this a listen at some point

I'm not sure if their name is a homage to this Irish anarcho-punk band or not

http://www.berubecommunications.com/artist_archive/striknein.html

Have not cared much for Fontaines DC but they should get Soulwax to collaborate on everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8f3Ke0wWps

New album, Skinty Fia, coming 4/22: https://fontainesdc.bandcamp.com/album/skinty-fia

The chorusy Bass VI on the new single is nice

this is actually really good and it sounds like they have grown a lot with this new album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty9Pcg3qrmU

First listen to "Skinty Fia", not as immediate as the first two but they're trying to do something different, just can't put my finger on it. Less driving energy and more introspective I guess. The second half builds and is better than the first. Title track is very cool.

Brilliant gig tonight in outdoor venue Iveagh Gardens tonight in front of a mad fer it home crowd. Like Gerald, it took a while for me to get into "Skinty Fia" but I think its a solid album now. They closed with "I love you" off that album and its definitely one of their best tunes. "Televised Mind" was electrifying tonight. It feels good having an Irish band to rally around again. Its been a while. New ep coming out soon.

This album is also showing up a bunch in the EOY lists. Played this earlier this year, thought it was horrible but maybe I'm missing something? I doubt it but life is about second chances.

This board has probably broke me as I care more about pop than the latest indie rock bands.

I just heard Skinty Fa myself for the first time a few weeks ago and I love it, dunno.

Maybe not as consistent as the last two (bit of a dull opener) but the high points are very high. "I love you" & "roman holiday" in particular

I really liked this album this time around. This would have been huge in the Britpop era.

Anyone listened to Grian Chatten's solo album? I haven't got around to it yet, but Fairlies is an incredible tune, my favourite indie pop song in God knows how long

Yeah also Chatten's "Last Time Every Time Forever" is another I listen to way too much.

And now this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHocVRUlvkk

not digging this too much so far :/

First listen and it sounds like a band in transition, trying different styles.

loving Death Kink though

Yeah I'm not sure either. I agree, it sounds like a band in transition trying their hand at different styles. Some work, some don't. "In The Modern World" is a bit of a too obvious Big Indie ballad. "Here's The Thing" the worst song they've ever written. Opening track sounds like a Glenn Danzig rock ballad scored by Hans Zimmer (not necessarily a diss). I definitely think the second half of the album is much stronger. I like the singles and "motorcycle boy" and "death kink"

I've only listened to the album a couple of times though

I got Coldplay vibes a couple times

"In The Modern World" is a bit Coldplay

Agreed.

Songs I like, Starburster, Romance, Motorcycle Boy, Death Kink, Sundowner (although riff reminds me of Sneaker Pimps Low Place Like Home a bit).

I don't mind Here's the Thing, but definitely not the video version, or the video at all.

I do like "Favourite". Reminds me of The Wedding Present more so with the vocals than anything else. This isn't intentional on their part more than likely

i quite like their new album but liam gallagher saying they look like "a shit EMF" is an objectively hilarious zing