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Making a Door Less Open
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Making a Door Less Open Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: The first release in four years for the band led by Will Toledo was recorded over two sessions and is said to "contain elements of EDM, hip hop, futurism, doo-wop, soul, and of course rock and roll."
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. PopMatters
    Apr 29, 2020
    90
    In effect, with Making a Door Less Open, Car Seat Headrest once again achieves that rare feat of musical engineering: the creation of rich environments that foster feeling, not dictate it.
  2. Glide Magazine
    May 1, 2020
    80
    Making A Door Less Open is a worthy addition to the creative evolution of Car Seat Headrest.
  3. 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.
  4. Under The Radar
    May 4, 2020
    75
    The album’s best songs show the potential of a more focused implementation of these styles. But if you’re willing to go along for the ride, you’ll find a lot to love in Will Toledo’s latest reinvention.
  5. Clash Music
    May 1, 2020
    70
    t’s open season on genres here. There’s the puerile punk of ‘Hollywood’ (“makes me wanna puke”), and the misguided balladry of ‘What’s With You Lately’. But they’re the only real bum notes. This experimental streak finds better pay off on ‘Hymn (Remix)’, crammed with juddering synths, and the delicious 80s pop of ‘Can’t Cool Me Down’. Sometimes, they veer almost to the middle of the road, radio-friendly hit ‘Martin’, warmed up with muted brass and intricate looping.
  6. Uncut
    Apr 29, 2020
    70
    It feels more like a bedroom project than their recent full-band work, yet Toledo's knack for an irresistible choruses endures. [Jun 2020, p.28]
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  7. The Guardian
    Apr 30, 2020
    60
    Neither balls-out, show-me-the-money capitulation to market forces, nor boldly experimental enough to count as a disruption to a mainstream form; neither disaster nor triumph. There’s something scattered and awkward about its grafting together of ideas that don’t gel; the sound of a band who have outgrown their initial incarnation but aren’t quite sure what they want now.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. thighderman
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Absolutely wonderful, exactly what I was hoping for these past 4 years since the bands last album written together.
  2. jayman69
    May 2, 2020
    9
    Love it when a young artist explores a new direction or way of expanding their sound. It works. I anticipate Toledo to follow this andLove it when a young artist explores a new direction or way of expanding their sound. It works. I anticipate Toledo to follow this and expand in a grander and louder concept. But for the time being enjoy this!… Expand
  4. calebwchurchill
    May 1, 2020
    9
    A divisive record that takes a LOT of risks that ultimately pay off. Car Seat Headrest feels more than ever like a band, and less like a soloA divisive record that takes a LOT of risks that ultimately pay off. Car Seat Headrest feels more than ever like a band, and less like a solo project with a band name.… Expand
  5. MusicGuyMack
    May 3, 2020
    8
    It can't hold a candle to the wonderfully moody indie rock of Car Seat Headrest albums past, but the greater focus on electronica on "Making AIt can't hold a candle to the wonderfully moody indie rock of Car Seat Headrest albums past, but the greater focus on electronica on "Making A Door Less Open" at least represents an interesting (if not always successful) stylistic deviation for the band, while Will Toledo's songwriting remains as strong and willfully obtuse as ever.

    Choice Cuts: "Deadlines (Hostile)", "Martin", "Life Worth Missing"    … Expand
  6. Lajaleaa
    Jun 22, 2020
    8
    ( 81/100 )

    Car Seat Headrest es un proyecto liderado creado y liderado por Will Toledo, quien abrió su carrera con el álbum "Twin Fantasy    ( 81/100 )

    Car Seat Headrest es un proyecto liderado creado y liderado por Will Toledo, quien abrió su carrera con el álbum "Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror)" en el 2011. Fue hasta el 2015 y 5 albums después que Toledo logró formar una banda completa. Yo lo conocí en el 2018, cuando re-estrenó por segunda vez "Twin Fantasy", pero ahora con una banda, y mi agrado fue inmediato. "Making A Door Less Open" es un reflejo más de la esencia natural y original tanto de Toledo como de la banda con una arriesgada intención de añadir ritmos electrónicos e Indies que, afortunadamente, complementa su estilo con una narrativa instrumental accesible, autentica y atractiva. Producido por Toledo y Andrew Katz, este álbum es una entretenida y enérgica aportación de la banda a su discografía que sus fans agradecerán.
    -
    Car Seat Headrest is a project led and created by Will Toledo, who opened his career with the album "Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror)" in 2011. It was until 2015 and 5 albums later that Toledo achieved to form a complete band. I knew him in 2018 when he presented for the second time "Twin Fantasy", but now with a whole band, and my affability was immediate. "Making A Door Less Open" is one more reflection of the natural and original essence of Toledo and the band with a risky intention of adding electronic and Indie rhythms that, fortunately, complement their style with an accessible, authentic and attractive instrumental narrative. Produced by Toledo and Andrew Katz, this album is an entertaining and energic contribution to the band's discography that their fans will appreciate.    … Expand
  7. ChiliPants
    May 14, 2020
    8
    It's not perfect, definitely some areas where he's missing imo. But for a real change in the sound, it's pretty damn great. And DeadlinesIt's not perfect, definitely some areas where he's missing imo. But for a real change in the sound, it's pretty damn great. And Deadlines (Thoughtful) is THE jam.… Expand
  8. 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 liveEveryone 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

See all 13 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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