Making a Door Less Open
by Car Seat Headrest
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: May 1, 2020
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 51
  3. Negative: 2 out of 51
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  1. 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 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 preferEveryone 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
  2. RyanLien
    Jan 28, 2021
    8
    I feel this is a very overhated album. Many would say it is the worst from Car Seat Headrest, and they might be right, but its still great. The mix of rock, pop, and electronic is really interesting and I would say this is a very solid album
  3. 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 (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    ( 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.
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    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
  4. 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 Deadlines (Thoughtful) is THE jam.
  5. Sadvilliany
    May 4, 2020
    6
    OK. Well, I didn't quite expect this considering their last sound with Teens Of Denial and the re-recording of Twin Fantasy (both of which I loved), and I don't know if I like it or not. The album starts off kinda odd, not fond of the long intro on "Weightlifters", but I can enjoy the rest of it. I liked "Can't Cool Me Down" quite a bit, same with "Deadlines (Hostile)", but "Hollywood" isOK. Well, I didn't quite expect this considering their last sound with Teens Of Denial and the re-recording of Twin Fantasy (both of which I loved), and I don't know if I like it or not. The album starts off kinda odd, not fond of the long intro on "Weightlifters", but I can enjoy the rest of it. I liked "Can't Cool Me Down" quite a bit, same with "Deadlines (Hostile)", but "Hollywood" is just kinda annoying. I like the beat, but the angry vocals and on-the-nose lyrics are just, like I said, annoying. I agree with the sentiment that Hollywood is hella corrupt and is a messed up industry, but the way it's presented is just too blatant. "Hymn - Remix" is alright, i guess. I like the beat a bit, but the vocal sampling of Will's voice is not something I'm fond of. "Martin" sees a return to form with more traditional CSH sounds, and is really sonically nice. "Deadlines (Thoughtful)" isn't my favorite tbh, in fact I'm slowly starting to dislike it more and more. The electronic sound is not doing it any favors, and that **** base drop somewhere a little after halfway through made me want to just skip to the next song. "What's With You Lately" was nice to hear, it's so simple and nice. It may be short, but it's still pretty enjoyable. "Life Worth Missing" is, I mean, it's alright. Some of the electronic and guitar progressions deadass reminded me of something in an infomercial, but its an alright track regardless. "There Must Be More Than Blood" is the track this album should've ended on. It felt like a good closer, and ends sonically on a high note. It's a bit long at 7 minutes (about), but is a very good track. "Famous" is the album closer, and really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. It's not horrible, but it's not great either. The sampling of those voices is a little too annoying for my taste, and it ends waaaay to abruptly imo.
    -
    Final Thoughts

    Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this release. It wasn't awful, but jeez was it underwhelming. I still anticipate the next Car Seat Headrest release, as I imagine this is just a sonical detour for the group, but I'm really just not feeling this like I did their other projects.

    Favorite Tracks: Can't Cool Me Down, Deadlines (Hostile), Martin, What's With You Lately, There Must Be More Than Blood

    Least Favorite Tracks: Hollywood, Deadlines (Thoughtful)    … Expand
  6. 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 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    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 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
  7. otto1494
    May 3, 2020
    6
    I wanted to like this more than I do. The high points - Weightlifters, Can't Cool Me Down, Martin, and There Must Be More Than Blood - deliver and excite, but the remainder is an odd mix of dull tunes and unlistenable sound experiments.
  8. Henry14
    May 3, 2020
    7
    I understand the feelings of fans and as the result low ratings. But I think that this album is one of the recent best made electronic rock albums which has it all. Memorable songs, dance songs and even the deeper ones. This sudden change in the CSH sound is extremely enjoyable and different to many other bands, when they completely change their identity and sound, mostly to weaker.I understand the feelings of fans and as the result low ratings. But I think that this album is one of the recent best made electronic rock albums which has it all. Memorable songs, dance songs and even the deeper ones. This sudden change in the CSH sound is extremely enjoyable and different to many other bands, when they completely change their identity and sound, mostly to weaker.

    When listening to this album you still feel and hear the core sound and ideas that created CHS. Its true, you can find a few poor songs but the majority of them are balanced and bring you complex experience. I also think that the songs work as singles and together as an album the same.

    You should listen to at least: both Deadlines songs    … Expand
  9. 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 and expand in a grander and louder concept. But for the time being enjoy this!
  10. gobitoe
    May 1, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While it won't appeal the "older" fans that were there before they signed to Matador, I think it's a great effort in showing that once more they're not just "another indie band". I think where the album lacks the most is how the tracks fail to keep the same atmosphere through the whole record, forcing you to adapt your ears every song never knowing what's next.… Expand
  11. antymosphere
    May 1, 2020
    9
    “Making a Door Less Open” é mais um trabalho da banda Car Seat Headrest. Inicialmente, eu não planejava escrever uma review sobre esse disco, mas ao perceber que ele merece receber uma grande atenção, mudei de ideia.

    O álbum passou por um longo processo de criação que durou, mais ou menos, cinco anos. Desde 2015, Will e os meninos acomulavam ideias que se reuniriam no maravilhoso    “Making a Door Less Open” é mais um trabalho da banda Car Seat Headrest. Inicialmente, eu não planejava escrever uma review sobre esse disco, mas ao perceber que ele merece receber uma grande atenção, mudei de ideia.

    O álbum passou por um longo processo de criação que durou, mais ou menos, cinco anos. Desde 2015, Will e os meninos acomulavam ideias que se reuniriam no maravilhoso “Making a Door Less Open” lançado no dia 1 de maio de 2020.
    Esse disco é um conjunto de várias coisas ao mesmo tempo, começando com características mais dançantes e finalizando com uma junção do que a banda já apresentava antes. Com letras muito bem pensadas, as faixas possuem muitos significados e críticas que carregam o grande talento de Will Toledo, vocalista e principal compositor da banda. Trabalhando majestosamente sua voz (e a dos outros integrantes que surgem ao decorrer do caminho), Toledo tempera o processo de produção, fazendo minha atenção ficar dividida entre as letras e os instrumentos e isso é angustiantemente incrível.
    O percussionista principal da banda, Andrew Katz, surge a frente da produção introduzindo elementos do pop, eletrônico e alternativo, a perfeita atmosfera do rock feito por eles. Fiquei impressionado com junção dos conjuntos, unindo o folk, sons de violinos e os sintetizados de Toledo, me lembrando um pouco do trabalho de Julian Casablancas. Enfim, Katz se mostra um produtor promissor, arrancando os meus sinceros elogios ao trabalhar tão perfeitamente em cada uma das faixas.

    Saindo um pouco do experimental e se revelando um tanto mais comercial, Car Seat Headrest entrega um disco que foi desacreditado por mim causando ainda mais surpresa quando ouvi. “Making a Door Less Open” merece toda atenção como um ótimo disco pop-rock e sem dúvidas leva a banda a mais um degrau de perfeição. Amei tanto que até fiquei sem palavras, só tenho a agradecer.    … Expand
  12. 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 solo project with a band name.
  13. thighderman
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Absolutely wonderful, exactly what I was hoping for these past 4 years since the bands last album written together.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    May 5, 2020
    60
    This is a mixed bag, and is – unfortunately – a bit of a momentum killer.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 5, 2020
    80
    Stretching his creative wings has worked for Toledo; there's a sense of him pushing outward as well as forward, even as he questions the point of it all. [Jul 2020, p.106]
See all critic reviews »