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Last Building Burning Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for the Cleveland indie rock band was recorded over eight days with producer Randall Dunn.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 90
    Last Building Burning is, truly, as inspiring, energizing and life-affirming as punk is likely to get in 2018.
  2. Oct 18, 2018
    80
    It's a rare moment of ambitious sprawl in an album that's otherwise lean, loud, and a no-nonsense celebration of Cloud Nothings' strengths.
  3. Oct 19, 2018
    80
    Last Building Burning is Cloud Nothings embracing a harsher component to their sound--almost recalling the likes of recent Oh Sees releases--which has grown into something unsettled, bold and reckless.
  4. Nov 14, 2018
    80
    A raw, yet purposeful execution that never spoils his clear-headed grasp.
  5. 80
    Seriously, these songs feel like Smashing Pumpkins demos--grainy, rough, atmospheric--like if they were made in a garage, and I think that's exactly what CN wanted to achieve. Rough, raw and rugged, but still jangly, catchy and head-poppy enough to leave you wanting more.
  6. Oct 19, 2018
    76
    On their pressure cooker of a fifth album, Last Building Burning, they rebound with a magnificent course correction. Volume and fury? Sure, they can do that. Still, they meet the demand with almost passive-aggressive relish.
  7. Oct 18, 2018
    40
    Last Building Burning is background music that has a soap-slick grip on our attention.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Oct 24, 2018
    10
    Only 8 tracks but every one of them is brilliant so I have to give this album a full ten! The band really came back hard on this one, it'sOnly 8 tracks but every one of them is brilliant so I have to give this album a full ten! The band really came back hard on this one, it's energized as hell; apart from an instrumental noise breakdown in the middle of Dissolution it hurtles along with hooks, rhythms and melodies galore. Excellent!!! Expand
  2. Dec 17, 2018
    9
    What gives? This album is awesome. It's their best since Attack and definitely surpasses it in raw aggression (it's hard as f*ck). PossiblyWhat gives? This album is awesome. It's their best since Attack and definitely surpasses it in raw aggression (it's hard as f*ck). Possibly my favorite of 2018 though I haven't seen it on many lists - it's really underrated or maybe folks just can't handle the intensity. Expand
  3. Nov 9, 2018
    7
    Just saw CN play in SF in support of Last Building Burning, which they played in it's entirety. Brutal live. I miss the balance betweenJust saw CN play in SF in support of Last Building Burning, which they played in it's entirety. Brutal live. I miss the balance between hooks and discord present in the prior arc of the last three albums. Last Building Burning feels reactionary to current environment. Hope they can rise above next time. Expand
  4. Jan 24, 2019
    7
    ( 71/100 )

    La existencia de la banda se le debe a Dylan Baldi de Cleveland, Ohio quien comenzó haciendo música LoFi Punk semi Pop. Poco a
    ( 71/100 )

    La existencia de la banda se le debe a Dylan Baldi de Cleveland, Ohio quien comenzó haciendo música LoFi Punk semi Pop. Poco a poco, en medio de su carrera, reclutó a varios compañeros para conformar la banda que ambicionaba. Una vez solidificada encontró su propio género y ahora se se destaca por su Punk casi Alternative. El año pasado presentó en Octubre "Last Building Burning", un álbum que reitera el gusto enérgico, prendido y explosivo de la banda. En este album se presentan con letras de conciencia social algo recicladas que, afortunadamente, no han dejado de ser de impacto. La idea del disco está en dedicárselo a esa persona que tiende a darle lastima a la gente porque no ejerce su voluntad y espera a que la vida la sorprenda con un billete de lotería y el amor de su vida. Esta persona, que vive en un espacio de monotonía inmensa y eterna rutina, está resignada a esa vida de poca chispa, con cara de quererse morir y cansada de no tener a quien abrazar. Las letras, escritas por Baldi y Jayson Gerycz, se apiadan de esa imagen y le ruegan que luche por su propia dignidad, que no deje que jueguen con ella, que no espere a que la quieran para quererse a sí misma y que tampoco deje que el pasado la atormente. A sí mismo le promueven seguir ilusionando, porque saben que esa mínima intención es lo que le permite vivir cada día.
    Producido por Randall Dunn, el álbum no tiene un arco narrativo. La música simplemente se escucha vomitada y desorganizada. Por ratos demuestra intenciones de improvisación pero no logra explorar o caer en un concepto musical. Una vez que los oídos se acostumbrar a ese vomito, hay tracks que tienen cierto descaro en usar notas vagamente atractivas y direcciones musicales ciertamente entretenidas, pero son pequeños momentos en pocas canciones que me lleva a concluir la poca trascendencia y la gran invisibilidad del álbum. Para aquellos que busquen Punk de calidad y para los que gusten de música alternativa y pesada: esto no es nada nuevo.
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