No Closer to Heaven
by The Wonder Years
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 50
  3. Negative: 10 out of 50
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  1. NightmanCometh
    Sep 21, 2015
    3
    I do not think this album is pop punk. I would say it's more general rock. Or more "emo". At this point, I am sick and tired of the lead singer's whining. The first few albums, ok, we get that you're establishing a style, but you changed your style. The Wonder Years' early songs were fast, and they were punk rock. As their sound evolved it became less and less punk. While their soundI do not think this album is pop punk. I would say it's more general rock. Or more "emo". At this point, I am sick and tired of the lead singer's whining. The first few albums, ok, we get that you're establishing a style, but you changed your style. The Wonder Years' early songs were fast, and they were punk rock. As their sound evolved it became less and less punk. While their sound changed, their lyrics, angst and general emo-ness did not evolve. So what we get is a sad rock song with a bunch of whining. You would think that at the mid 20's stage of your life, you'd be a little less depressed. Nope.

    I can understand what the Wonder Years tries to do. They try to compliment their "profound" lyrics with slower and heavier instrumentals. This just creates a churning, slow, and drawn out album full of angsty lyrics, hints of depression, and cynicism. No one wants that **** No one wants to hear a bunch of men sing about how much the world sucks.    … Expand
  2. ewsnead51
    Oct 21, 2015
    1
    It probably inappropriate to review an album from a musical genre that one simply does not understand. For a famous example, look up the reviews that Rolling Stone allowed the first three or four Led Zeppelin albums during the 1969-1971 period. Oftentimes albums received poorly become classics.

    Having said that, I listened to the first two songs from the recently released No Closer to    It probably inappropriate to review an album from a musical genre that one simply does not understand. For a famous example, look up the reviews that Rolling Stone allowed the first three or four Led Zeppelin albums during the 1969-1971 period. Oftentimes albums received poorly become classics.

    Having said that, I listened to the first two songs from the recently released No Closer to Heaven by the Wonder Years. Thinking that the emo genre had thankfully gone to its grave a decade ago, there is something perverse in discovering its revival of sorts.

    The whine. The self-pity. The mistake notion that the world owes me something it hasn't given? Will
    recordings of this nature become classics in the years to come?

    In as few words as possible: obnoxious, repellent, execrable.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AllMusic
    Sep 30, 2015
    80
    With No Closer to Heaven, Campbell and the Wonder Years have made an album that's more mature and thoughtful than before, but no less passionate and direct, and it ranks with their finest work to date as well as suggesting this band has an interesting and exciting future ahead.
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  2. Clash Music
    Sep 15, 2015
    70
    Musically, the pop-punk sound has been largely abandoned (save for, perhaps, recent single 'I Don't Like Who I Was Then') in favour of something more forceful and nuanced.
    Read full review
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 3, 2015
    95
    It's officially a biennial tradition that The Wonder Years release a new record that happens to be their best record to date.
    Read full review
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