Rented World
by The Menzingers
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Apr 22, 2014
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Q Magazine
    Jun 17, 2014
    60
    It all helps to bring out a soul and spirit that is hard to deny. [Jul 2014, p.110]
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  2. The Quietus
    Jun 10, 2014
    60
    This album, for all of its sharp musicianship and the ever-brilliant play-off between vocalists Greg Barnett and Tom May, just doesn't capture the gravity of its predecessor.
  3. Magnet
    May 19, 2014
    60
    With Rented World, the Menzingers aren't doing anything new; they're simply coasting from where Impossible Past left them. [No. 109, p.57]
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  5. NOW Magazine
    May 8, 2014
    60
    The Menzingers haven’t necessarily mastered the grown-up punk formula, but they’re certainly maturing with each new release.
  6. Alternative Press
    Apr 21, 2014
    60
    The Menzies score big about half the time. [May 2014, p.93]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 21, 2014
    60
    A slick offering, Rented World is let down by a tendency to veer towards the formulaic, evidenced by closing track, ‘When You Died’, an altogether too tepid acoustic tear-jerker.
  8. Consequence
    Apr 22, 2014
    50
    That energy and excitement [from the band’s past two albums] is severely lacking here, replaced by by-the-numbers pop punk that is uncharacteristically complacent.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. quizzyrascal
    May 16, 2014
    6
    Unfortunately the Menzingers haven't followed up on On The Impossible Past as many hoped. This album does have some great songs, 'I don'tUnfortunately the Menzingers haven't followed up on On The Impossible Past as many hoped. This album does have some great songs, 'I don't wanna be an **** anymore' and 'In Remission' are up there with their best work but the album as a whole is patchy and inconsistent. You can see they've tried to do things a bit differently and in some cases it works great. Rodent has elements of early 90's shoegazing. 'The Talk' would not be out of place on a Green Day album. However, songs like 'When you died' sound like a very poor Bob Dylan cover act and others songs like the album as a whole don't fulfil their potential. All in all it's a lot better then 99% of other music out there in any genre at the moment and Rented World certainly shouldn't lose them any fans either. Overall I think the Menzingers have raised the bar too high with their previous records but there are still signs of greatness for the future.… Full Review »
  2. SteepSlopeCj
    May 4, 2014
    7
    I fell in love with The Menzingers music after hearing Chamberlain Awaits and On the Impossible Past was one of the most glorious albums ofI fell in love with The Menzingers music after hearing Chamberlain Awaits and On the Impossible Past was one of the most glorious albums of the decade so far, with it's brave, brilliantly poetic lyrics and smart, fondly familiar melodies combining in original ways. Here, however, the lyrics and guitar interplay don't quite hit the heights of their previous two albums ( and to a lesser extent, A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology) as much. It is still a wholly palatable, even enjoyable record, but the fact that it came after one of the most gorgeous pop punk records ever makes this a rather disappointing effort.… Full Review »
  3. Stiands
    Apr 24, 2014
    10
    Another album from The Menzingers you just can`t miss out on! Fantastic composition, lyrics and super catchy melodies. It may not be anotherAnother album from The Menzingers you just can`t miss out on! Fantastic composition, lyrics and super catchy melodies. It may not be another "On The Impossible Past", but it`s still a masterpiece within their genre.… Full Review »
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