A fun ride the whole way through. Better than Ugly.

The first few times i listened i thought the cd was okay but it got better every time i listened. Into the fold is one of the best cursive songs yet/

I love how someone will hate hardcore on well written music because they don't like the style chosen. The music is still very very good on this album and every song has a different flavor just like any other album they've written. Get off your pretentious high horses and actually enjoy music when you listen to it...jesus. I have never heard an album like this before. Regardless if I didn't happen to feel the new sound, I would at least acknowledge that is still way creative, well written, and constructed music...Any fan of cursive should remember the line in the butcher song..."I'm writing songs...to entertain. But these people, they just want pain." Think about that line for a second...they are trying to be a form of entertainment and all people can seem to do is butcher it up and pretend like they know what music is supposed to be...like there is even a clearcut definition of what music is supposed to be even at all... If you can't understand that, then don't bother listening to cursive. You miss the freakin point. Excellent work on the album.… Expand

Poor Tim Kasher -- no one feels pain like he does. Overwrought, melodramatic and terribly self indulgent. Grow up.

Powerful and writhing. An interesting and necessary idealogical attack on America's heartland. Still, I miss Greta's haunting strings.

The lyrical content on this album left much to be desired; it was angstful to the point that I stopped trying to look for redeeming quality in the lyrics. Still, the musical content (including Kasher's voice usage) was impeccable. It was powerful, the beats were complex and original, the horns were a nice touch, although still not as good as the strings from Ugly Organ, and everything blended together well very nicely. If Kasher would've opted to stick to lyrics that make him appear older than 14, I would have given it a 10.… Expand

under the radar said it best, some bitchin’ horns

I'd have to agree with chris s. on this one. Cursive has driven more experimental since the ugly organ but in a bad way. The songs are not as catchy and the songwriting itself is rather weak for kasher. I see him and bright eyes on the decline as of late, music is less heartfelt feels like they are going through the motions. They seem to be dwelling too much on Experimental ideas and getting carried away with production. Overall album is unfocused and a flop, despite what amg says, cursive has delivered a dud.… Expand

When i first read that they added a horn section I shuttered. I then actually go the album threw it on and was amazed on how well the horns were used. I feel the album is stronger that Ugly Organ, and is a great step for them.

starts off strong (a la The Ugly Organ but not quite Domestica) but halfway through you begin to wonder what the hell Tim Kasher and co. were thinking when they decided to add horns. The musical arrangement is completely haphazard and is not too pleasing to the ears. Put down the bottle Tim and write some better music!

The cd is basically a desperate plea for change, on first listen its hard to know if the lyrics have any meaning what so ever, but, on further listening one realizes it is deeply rooted in philosophy, namely labeling god as a crutch in current soceity more than what the idea of god should be, suggesting that humans should strive to reach their greatest potential rather than, strive to adhere to currently inconceivable notions on existance. I love this fucking cd.… Expand

By any other band, this album would be incredible. However, Happy Hollow just doesn't match the perfection of their three previous full lenghts; Storms of Early Summer, Domestica, and Ugly Organ. The music is great but there is a slight fall-off in the lyrical content; the political views set forth I completely agree with, but the execution is a little weak on certain songs.