Making a Door Less Open
by Car Seat Headrest
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: May 1, 2020
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 51
  3. Negative: 2 out of 51
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  1. otto1494
    May 3, 2020
    6
    I wanted to like this more than I do. The high points - Weightlifters, Can't Cool Me Down, Martin, and There Must Be More Than Blood - deliver and excite, but the remainder is an odd mix of dull tunes and unlistenable sound experiments.
  2. Sadvilliany
    May 4, 2020
    6
    OK. Well, I didn't quite expect this considering their last sound with Teens Of Denial and the re-recording of Twin Fantasy (both of which I loved), and I don't know if I like it or not. The album starts off kinda odd, not fond of the long intro on "Weightlifters", but I can enjoy the rest of it. I liked "Can't Cool Me Down" quite a bit, same with "Deadlines (Hostile)", but "Hollywood" isOK. Well, I didn't quite expect this considering their last sound with Teens Of Denial and the re-recording of Twin Fantasy (both of which I loved), and I don't know if I like it or not. The album starts off kinda odd, not fond of the long intro on "Weightlifters", but I can enjoy the rest of it. I liked "Can't Cool Me Down" quite a bit, same with "Deadlines (Hostile)", but "Hollywood" is just kinda annoying. I like the beat, but the angry vocals and on-the-nose lyrics are just, like I said, annoying. I agree with the sentiment that Hollywood is hella corrupt and is a messed up industry, but the way it's presented is just too blatant. "Hymn - Remix" is alright, i guess. I like the beat a bit, but the vocal sampling of Will's voice is not something I'm fond of. "Martin" sees a return to form with more traditional CSH sounds, and is really sonically nice. "Deadlines (Thoughtful)" isn't my favorite tbh, in fact I'm slowly starting to dislike it more and more. The electronic sound is not doing it any favors, and that **** base drop somewhere a little after halfway through made me want to just skip to the next song. "What's With You Lately" was nice to hear, it's so simple and nice. It may be short, but it's still pretty enjoyable. "Life Worth Missing" is, I mean, it's alright. Some of the electronic and guitar progressions deadass reminded me of something in an infomercial, but its an alright track regardless. "There Must Be More Than Blood" is the track this album should've ended on. It felt like a good closer, and ends sonically on a high note. It's a bit long at 7 minutes (about), but is a very good track. "Famous" is the album closer, and really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. It's not horrible, but it's not great either. The sampling of those voices is a little too annoying for my taste, and it ends waaaay to abruptly imo.
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    Final Thoughts

    Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this release. It wasn't awful, but jeez was it underwhelming. I still anticipate the next Car Seat Headrest release, as I imagine this is just a sonical detour for the group, but I'm really just not feeling this like I did their other projects.

    Favorite Tracks: Can't Cool Me Down, Deadlines (Hostile), Martin, What's With You Lately, There Must Be More Than Blood

    Least Favorite Tracks: Hollywood, Deadlines (Thoughtful)    … Expand
  3. Vraisairs
    May 4, 2022
    5
    Everyone always says this was meant to be a live album. “The songs aren’t as complex and interesting because they are meant for the live experience.” I take umbrage with that. I understand Will wishing to make something new (this album is much more 1Trait than CSH), but for a full album release, these sound more like demos that got cut before recording the real album. Whether you preferEveryone always says this was meant to be a live album. “The songs aren’t as complex and interesting because they are meant for the live experience.” I take umbrage with that. I understand Will wishing to make something new (this album is much more 1Trait than CSH), but for a full album release, these sound more like demos that got cut before recording the real album. Whether you prefer Teens of Denial or Twin Fantasy, both show a forward progression from his bedroom recording days. I won’t say this album goes backward though because that would negatively reflect Will’s early work.

    At the end of the day, it's still CSH. These songs aren't terrible. They're just not up to the standard musically or lyrically that previous exploits are. It feels like Will's foray into pop, missing what made his music so captivating.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Record Collector
    May 29, 2020
    80
    As with any Car Seat Headrest record, there’s always a whisper of a phrase, or an unusual lyric that passes you by and later stops you in your tracks. Likewise, there are plenty of musical layers and varied instrumentation that draw your ears one way and another.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    May 5, 2020
    60
    This is a mixed bag, and is – unfortunately – a bit of a momentum killer.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 5, 2020
    80
    Stretching his creative wings has worked for Toledo; there's a sense of him pushing outward as well as forward, even as he questions the point of it all. [Jul 2020, p.106]
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