Some Nights
by Fun.
  • Record Label: Elektra
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2012
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 144 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 144
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 144
  3. Negative: 17 out of 144
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ragaboo
    Feb 21, 2012
    6
    fun.'s first album was pretty much perfection and didn't get any attention. For this album, they had the good fortune of getting a single into Glee and other areas of the public sphere, which brought them recognition. However, I'm sorry to say that they disappoint a bit with this second album. They're a little less ... well, fun. They also apparently got ahold of an auto-tuner and went tofun.'s first album was pretty much perfection and didn't get any attention. For this album, they had the good fortune of getting a single into Glee and other areas of the public sphere, which brought them recognition. However, I'm sorry to say that they disappoint a bit with this second album. They're a little less ... well, fun. They also apparently got ahold of an auto-tuner and went to town. Auto-tuning is for people who don't have good voices to sound at least bearable or interesting. Lead singer Nate Ruess doesn't have that problem, but he started using his new toy anyway, for some reason. Otherwise awesome songs are riddled with auto-tuning, sometimes to literally annoying levels, to the point that I have to skip tracks halfway through. It's weird, because I'll be loving a song, and then I'll have to end it. I'd say there are two songs of comparable quality to Aim and Ignite, then another handful that are above average compared to modern music, and then half are verging upon unlistenable. =[… Expand
  2. Rust_Bucket888
    Mar 23, 2012
    9
    Fun.'s sophomore album "Some Nights" is the game played right. A successful album in modern music is relevant to the current mainstream, yet not dependent on that relevance. Some Nights is both relevant and original. But most importantly, it has replay value. Fun. has left a mark on indie-pop that will always be there.
  3. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 21, 2012
    3
    It's a classic case of a band's confusion in the realm of where they're headed. This is a musical group that clearly is talented; look at the brilliant modern pop classic "We Are Young" and the quirky, oddly paced, fun little number "One Foot". Unfortunately, this is a musical group that brings 'contrived' to a whole new level. It gets better, does it? Shut up.
  4. MichaelDN
    Dec 16, 2012
    9
    This is the album of the year for me. It's definitely an acquired taste, but it's rare for me to find an album this musically competent, lyrically thought provoking, and emotionally powerful. The songs are beautiful statements that depicts philosophical and psychological themes that definitely cause the listener to experience a range of thoughts and emotions. Musically, it's veryThis is the album of the year for me. It's definitely an acquired taste, but it's rare for me to find an album this musically competent, lyrically thought provoking, and emotionally powerful. The songs are beautiful statements that depicts philosophical and psychological themes that definitely cause the listener to experience a range of thoughts and emotions. Musically, it's very experimental, and I think it works. The title song is an emotionally charged five minute roller coaster, while tracks like "We Are Young" and "Carry On" note the inevitable difficulties in life, but approach them in an optimistic way. Songs like "Why Am I The One" and "One Foot" are tragically depressing, and written beautifully. "Stars" is musically very interesting, and a great way to close the album. Nate's vocal performance throughout the album is very bold, and adapts to the diversity of the album's lyrics, as well as to its music. I can understand why the reviews are so polarizing. It's very different, both from what is popular in mainstream music today, and from what the band has done previously, so it makes sense that it would disappoint both groups. It's not going to be to everybody's taste, and that's fine. I'm just glad that this album happens to fit my tastes, because I consider it a real treat to have listened to it. If you're open to different things, and you like an album that's going to be about emotion and deep thinking, you might love this as much as I did. If you're in the mood for something that's just about sheer enjoyability and entertainment, which I often am, you might stay away from this one.… Collapse
  5. KeepThingsFresh
    Feb 24, 2012
    8
    A really solid album although it doesn't hold a candle to their first album, Aim & Ignite. They still put a good effort in though. The song are catchy fun to listen to. You might find yourself going to listen to this album and playing Aim and Ignite as it happened 3 out of 4 times when I tried to listen to this. A good album, probably the best release of this year so far.
  6. WesWesDoe
    Feb 22, 2012
    8
    Really solid album. the lead single 'We Are Young' has Grammy nomination potential. The standout tracks for me were "We Are Young", "Carry On", "Why Am I the One", "All Alone" and "Stars"
  7. dartagnan
    Mar 14, 2012
    8
    LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL THIS ALBUM USES AUTO TUNE.If you don't believe it, Fun.did a studio session for 104.5 WRFF and there is an question during the session about Nates use of Autotune.His answer was that the guitarists gets pedals to play with, why can't I play around with Autotune.You can find this on the Web www.radio104.5.com/main.html WRFF Philadelphia.ILETS GET THIS STRAIGHT ONCE AND FOR ALL THIS ALBUM USES AUTO TUNE.If you don't believe it, Fun.did a studio session for 104.5 WRFF and there is an question during the session about Nates use of Autotune.His answer was that the guitarists gets pedals to play with, why can't I play around with Autotune.You can find this on the Web www.radio104.5.com/main.html WRFF Philadelphia.I personally don't care whether he uses Autotune or not, I know he can sing, I've heard him live. Most of the singers I like couldn't be helped by all the Autotune in the world. Anyway,it is a good solid album and pretty darn enjoyable,yeah they may be leaning to the arena rock side a little but they do it better than most purveyors of that ilk.… Expand
  8. WLink
    Apr 18, 2012
    9
    Great job critics for once again making an album look terrible even though it isn't. I will admit that Aim & Ignite was a better album then Some Nights, even though Some Nights was still a great follow up. I highly recommend it.
  9. Ven-Wede
    Feb 23, 2012
    3
    This album is sadly the epitome of everything wrong with both 'indie' and pop music in 2012. It's just incredible that music has reached the point where even people who can legitimately sing very well have to use autotune to remain competitive on the radio. The band here are nothing more than bland background in order to launch Nate Ruess up into the heights of implied super-stardom. HeThis album is sadly the epitome of everything wrong with both 'indie' and pop music in 2012. It's just incredible that music has reached the point where even people who can legitimately sing very well have to use autotune to remain competitive on the radio. The band here are nothing more than bland background in order to launch Nate Ruess up into the heights of implied super-stardom. He struts through the songs acting like the king of the world, projecting his voice far into every facet of the mix - choruses are often completely filled with layers and layers of vocals at different pitches, as if Some Nights is Ruess' own audition tape for American Idol. All indie credibility is utterly quashed since their promotion on Glee, which is surely the death knell for any hipster. Also of note are the ridiculously weak lyrics; the previous album's charm and intelligent story telling has been replaced with "ooh-la-la's" and the constant re-iteration of the song title. Couple that with the grating use of digital pitch-shifting and you have something more akin to Katy Perry than Fun. In closing, Some Nights is an absurd follow-up to Aim and Ignite, and appears to be the transition into what will probably be something even more easily digestible in the future.… Expand
  10. FRISSONNER
    Feb 22, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I must say I was very impressed with the album. Their debut album was very eclectic and enamoring but a little too 'hipster' for me. However, this album seems to have an identity of it's own. Ironically to say that, Jeff Bhasker could have done better with giving them Kanye West B-Sides. From the opening you seem to be caught up in a circus of vocals and and loud beats that seem so 'Glee' like yet you aren't as annoyed and pissed off. 'Some Nights' 'Carry On' 'It Get's Better' 'One Foot' and 'All Alone' seem to be the standout tracks from the album. However, 'Stars' is the true gem of the album. You'll learn to appreciate it if you know the difference between auto tune and a vocoder. It is definitely a My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy reject done in the alternative style but, it fits and is beyond infectious.… Expand
  11. Doberman
    Feb 22, 2012
    3
    A lot of times one stops and thinks what the hell an artist or group of artist were thinking. How could they get it so wrong? Donâ
  12. elreader46
    Mar 4, 2012
    10
    This album is what chocolate would taste like in the form of sound. This album is calming, soothing, and has very catchy beats. I applaud the band for their outstanding performance. GOOD JOB!
  13. y2lamanaki
    Mar 8, 2012
    3
    This album is the musical equivalent of Kurt Vonnegut deciding to start to write the Twilight series. Granted, Vonnegut died in 2007, but I'm pretty sure this band died in 2009, so the analogy works. What a sad follow-up to what was a solid album from top to bottom in Aim & Ignite. The listener is less encouraged to sing along in Some Nights, but rather grind their teeth as they areThis album is the musical equivalent of Kurt Vonnegut deciding to start to write the Twilight series. Granted, Vonnegut died in 2007, but I'm pretty sure this band died in 2009, so the analogy works. What a sad follow-up to what was a solid album from top to bottom in Aim & Ignite. The listener is less encouraged to sing along in Some Nights, but rather grind their teeth as they are bombarded with gratuitous amounts of autotune and random electronic instruments, when the group has proven quite clearly they know how to make real music. It's an interesting dive into mainstream music for the lead singer, who formally was a part of The Format, which was named to make fun of the 'cookie cutter format' the music industry utilizes to create hits. Pot meet kettle.… Expand
  14. LaReveur
    Mar 10, 2012
    9
    More of a response to some criticisms than a review. Let's get a couple things straight. This album contains absolutely no use of auto-tune. It's called a vocoder and it's not leaned on. It's used to enhance the sound and the band used it intentionally, they were not forced to use it. This is not a sellout album if anything, it's the exact opposite. Fun.'s debut album "Aim and Ignite" hadMore of a response to some criticisms than a review. Let's get a couple things straight. This album contains absolutely no use of auto-tune. It's called a vocoder and it's not leaned on. It's used to enhance the sound and the band used it intentionally, they were not forced to use it. This is not a sellout album if anything, it's the exact opposite. Fun.'s debut album "Aim and Ignite" had a much more mainstream sound to it than this. The album has a layered, detailed aura about it that can be overwhelming to even seasoned listeners which probably turned off old fans. But the more you listen to it and the more acquainted you get with the sound, the better it gets.… Expand
  15. aduneye
    Mar 27, 2012
    3
    This album was a disappointment; their debut album left fans with high expectations, hoping for the band to evolve and grow artistically. Not only did fun. let down fans, they also lessened the band as a talent overall and exalted Nate Ruess above the rest, displaying his talent (though this album does not do a very good job at it) beyond that of the other members. Though "Some Nights"This album was a disappointment; their debut album left fans with high expectations, hoping for the band to evolve and grow artistically. Not only did fun. let down fans, they also lessened the band as a talent overall and exalted Nate Ruess above the rest, displaying his talent (though this album does not do a very good job at it) beyond that of the other members. Though "Some Nights" has its moments, the use of auto-tune ruins most of the songs, the lyrics are unintelligent and simple in comparison to the band's true capabilities, and the repeated and monotonous melodies cause the album to fail.… Expand
  16. AlexxTrusc
    Apr 26, 2012
    7
    Strange combination of electronics & indie rock, heard even on the first - operatic and reminding Queen - "Some Nights Intro" distinctive style, resulted in a great album. There's a plenty of backing vocals, a little grotesque climate and interesting arrangements that make every song is worth your attention.
  17. AdamAL4
    Aug 21, 2012
    5
    This album is flawed. One Foot is incredibly repetitive, It Gets Better is plain bad and the "T-Pain effect", auto-tune, is used in all the wrong ways. However, I'm glad they found success with this album. The album balances out at a five because I love some tracks (Some Nights, We Are Young, Some Nights Intro), some a okay (Why Am I the One, All Alone, All Alright, Carry On, Stars) andThis album is flawed. One Foot is incredibly repetitive, It Gets Better is plain bad and the "T-Pain effect", auto-tune, is used in all the wrong ways. However, I'm glad they found success with this album. The album balances out at a five because I love some tracks (Some Nights, We Are Young, Some Nights Intro), some a okay (Why Am I the One, All Alone, All Alright, Carry On, Stars) and some tracks are unbearable (It Gets Better, One Foot). It's not a recommended purchase, but I'm still rooting for them to rack up more hits.… Expand
  18. TheMasterOfCD
    May 30, 2012
    7
    Say that this American trio in thick butter is an understatement: his songs are fist-in-the air possible, thick layers of vocals and dominated everything is bathed in a shimmering pop sheen. In a horizon blocked by mock indie pop and cartoons, these nods to Queen, ELO, the Bee Gees and Boston are refreshing, if not subtle. Difficult not a smile at the sound of hymns as larger than lifeSay that this American trio in thick butter is an understatement: his songs are fist-in-the air possible, thick layers of vocals and dominated everything is bathed in a shimmering pop sheen. In a horizon blocked by mock indie pop and cartoons, these nods to Queen, ELO, the Bee Gees and Boston are refreshing, if not subtle. Difficult not a smile at the sound of hymns as larger than life Carry on, padded flute, bagpipes, strings, brass, lark. Supervised by Jeff Bhasker (Kanye adjuvant on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), Some Nights is a little too cold and digital, but the sweet kind, fun skill. must be emphasized.… Expand
  19. ardenott
    Apr 15, 2012
    8
    As a sophomore album, fun. really shows what they can do in Some Nights. From the slow, marching beat of Carry On, to the uproar-inducing Some Nights, fun.'s colorful album bridges the gab between indie-rock and mainstream pop. Their creative uses of auto-tune is a refreshing branch off of the over-done use of it in popular music. fun. uses it as an artistic tool, rather than a fix for badAs a sophomore album, fun. really shows what they can do in Some Nights. From the slow, marching beat of Carry On, to the uproar-inducing Some Nights, fun.'s colorful album bridges the gab between indie-rock and mainstream pop. Their creative uses of auto-tune is a refreshing branch off of the over-done use of it in popular music. fun. uses it as an artistic tool, rather than a fix for bad vocals. Overall, fun.'s Some Nights is a wonderful album, and a real pleasure to listen to.… Expand
  20. JayceVanHaren
    Apr 22, 2012
    9
    Excellent album. I admit I was a bit skeptical when I first played for the first time but found it filled with emotion and catchy beats. The lyrics are great, along with the use of auto-tune to help convey emotion near perfectly. Unforgettable album. It has been on my playing list for the last 2 months and I don't see that changing
  21. khash604
    Jun 20, 2012
    3
    I created an account just to review this album. As a long time Format/Nate Ruess fan, I was pretty stoked when Fun formed and I thoroughly enjoyed 2009's Aim And Ignite. It was a departure from The Format, but still breaking new ground in terms of pop music. Then this album comes out.

    What staggers me is Nate Ruess' complete disdain for what seems to be his tenure with The Format. In    I created an account just to review this album. As a long time Format/Nate Ruess fan, I was pretty stoked when Fun formed and I thoroughly enjoyed 2009's Aim And Ignite. It was a departure from The Format, but still breaking new ground in terms of pop music. Then this album comes out.

    What staggers me is Nate Ruess' complete disdain for what seems to be his tenure with The Format. In "Some Nights", there is no doubt that the line "Who the **** wants to die alone out in the desert sun" is a direct reference to a Format song called "On Your Porch", a sombre ballad from The Format's first debut album. It's almost as if he's trying to assure himself that a giant nosedive into the world of autotune, bombastic drum programming and huge multitrack layering is what Fun needs to be successful. It's a shame, because most of these kids will **** their heads at Aim and Ignite, but for those few who dig it, there's some great tunes to be found both on that album and previous works by Ruess and company. This album, ripe with paper thin metaphors about youth, provides a listenable arena in which Ruess can be his inner Freddie Mercury, but it often comes off as ironic and apathetic drowned in the confusingly biographical lyrics. Frankly speaking, I enjoyed the overal positive vibe of the first half of the record. It might not be lyrically copacetic, but the melodies and try-hard harmonies add flavour to otherwise bland songs. Suddenly, after "Carry On", it's as if the band needed to fatten out the record. I won't name names, but some of the songs near the last half of the album border on the completely forgettable. I will keep an eye on Fun, but if this is any indication of things to come, I may just be stuck listening to The Format if I want to enjoy the clever tones of Nate Ruess, and not some vocoded, auto tuned version of the same thing.    … Expand
  22. mdm389
    Jul 13, 2012
    5
    The bottomline: it's all of The Format's pop sensibilities without any of the underlying musicianship or deep meaning that made frontman Neil Reuss' songs on The Format's Dog Problems album so damn enjoyable to listen to. Once the hooks work their way out of the listener's eardrum, all that remains is a very hollow and shallow pop rock record frantically humping the Hot 100 chart. OfThe bottomline: it's all of The Format's pop sensibilities without any of the underlying musicianship or deep meaning that made frontman Neil Reuss' songs on The Format's Dog Problems album so damn enjoyable to listen to. Once the hooks work their way out of the listener's eardrum, all that remains is a very hollow and shallow pop rock record frantically humping the Hot 100 chart. Of course, with a name like "fun." and songs like these, it's pretty clear that is all Reuss was gunning for here. It's not bad, but it isn't good, either; it's mildly interesting at first, and then bores.… Expand
  23. Tunes22
    Jul 20, 2012
    3
    When I first heard "We Are Young", this thought came into my mind: 'You've got to be kididng me. Kids PAY for this??" I recently finished listening to the album, ending with the title track, "Some Nights". Besides the ghastly "We Are Young", the title track serves Fun no credit. The album is a loosely connected collection of monologues and anthems which will hook teens worldwide but sadly,When I first heard "We Are Young", this thought came into my mind: 'You've got to be kididng me. Kids PAY for this??" I recently finished listening to the album, ending with the title track, "Some Nights". Besides the ghastly "We Are Young", the title track serves Fun no credit. The album is a loosely connected collection of monologues and anthems which will hook teens worldwide but sadly, will not impress true music lovers. Like many pop hits before it, the album serves one purpose- entertainment. But sadly, it comes short in enlightenment.… Expand
  24. axelkoch
    Oct 13, 2012
    5
    Oddly, fun. got famous with a huge step back from their predecessor. The first two songs and 'One Foot' are pretty good, but the rest is poor. Nate Ruess's voice achieves an extra-point but this CD is really nothing special. 'It Gets Better' for example, works totally contrariwise: the song is by far the worst on the album.
  25. BrunoZrZr
    Mar 10, 2013
    4
    A great work, but it doesn't evolute, like all the songs treat about the same thing, I get tired listening to it, there's no objective in the songs. Pretty bad.
  26. DanOSullivan
    Oct 25, 2012
    5
    I'm not sure if this album just is not my kind of thing but I didn't really enjoy it. The mainstream hits that everyone knows (Some Nights & We Are Young) were the only ones I genuinely enjoyed and would listen too again.
  27. star_gazing
    Jan 20, 2013
    7
    Funny thing about being indie: you aren't really indie if your **** on the mainstream radio, or if you assigned yourself to a label; you can be then deemed alternative. I don't know why fun. is being heaped with actual indie acts like Longwave and Valise; they're not indie anymore. Still, it doesn't take away from the album being at least OKAY.... some songs are tedious, like theFunny thing about being indie: you aren't really indie if your **** on the mainstream radio, or if you assigned yourself to a label; you can be then deemed alternative. I don't know why fun. is being heaped with actual indie acts like Longwave and Valise; they're not indie anymore. Still, it doesn't take away from the album being at least OKAY.... some songs are tedious, like the ever-famous "Some Nights" and don't really take into consideration the need for a song to be short and sweet, but who am i to judge? The rest of the album varies; "We Are Young" is catchy, but everything else is forgettable. It's a good album, just not memorable, just like every other release in the past few years save 21 and Channel Orange. And other albums that people don't recognize. Still, it irks me that they're considered "indie"; if they get popular and become mainstream, that defeats the purpose of being indie. A little disappointing and does take away from the album.… Expand
  28. ferrer96
    Dec 7, 2012
    9
    Some Nights is a really good album. It's not as amazing as their first, but still when compared to the rest of the Top 40 it is truly refreshing. We Are Young and Some Nights (title track) are the true standouts.
  29. leafar0997
    Dec 16, 2012
    6
    Some people say that this second Fun's album is great. In my opinion, I don't see any greatness in it. I think that this album contains the best song of the year (We Are Young), however much songs of the album are kind of uninteresting and sometime, even annoying. I only like three songs in the album: the amazing (I admit) We Are Young plus Some Nights and It Gets Better. The rest of theSome people say that this second Fun's album is great. In my opinion, I don't see any greatness in it. I think that this album contains the best song of the year (We Are Young), however much songs of the album are kind of uninteresting and sometime, even annoying. I only like three songs in the album: the amazing (I admit) We Are Young plus Some Nights and It Gets Better. The rest of the songs are not bad at all but they are not strong sounds.… Expand
  30. Akaman
    Jan 2, 2013
    8
    Going headstrong into their 2nd Album, Some Nights by Fun. is an impressive album that stands out compared to modern music trends. The lyrics are powerful and inspiring, and the music composition is mostly well-done. Nate Ruess and his band members are true artists in that they write their own music, and it shows in their personal energy in each song; this is especially clear in their leadGoing headstrong into their 2nd Album, Some Nights by Fun. is an impressive album that stands out compared to modern music trends. The lyrics are powerful and inspiring, and the music composition is mostly well-done. Nate Ruess and his band members are true artists in that they write their own music, and it shows in their personal energy in each song; this is especially clear in their lead singles "We Are Young" and "Some Nights." I am aware that people have criticized the second half of the album as "inferior to the first," which I disagree with. Though "All Alone," "All Alright" and "One Foot" are not masterpieces like the leading songs, they are entertaining and reflect a more simple style. "Carry On" and "Why Am I the One" are terrific songs in their own right. The only one that I felt was not good at all was "Stars," which was too artificial and FAR too long, at nearly 7 minutes. As a whole however, Fun. truly brings something new to this era and will hopefully continue to do so.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2012
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 4 out of 21
  1. Q Magazine
    Oct 12, 2012
    40
    Some Nights is ultimately a confused, turgid tangle of ideas. [Jul 2012, p.100]
  2. The Fly (UK)
    Jun 29, 2012
    60
    Against all odds, 'Some Nights' is a hoot: huge-sounding, packed with tunes and not lacking in humour.
    Read full review
  3. Kerrang!
    Jun 19, 2012
    60
    For every ELO-meets-Panic!-At-The-Disco pop gem that makes you think Fun. are great, there's also an Auto-Tuned-to-buggery vocal or irksome trumpet riff that simply grates. [26 May 2012, p.53]
See all critic reviews »