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Teens of Denial
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Teens of Denial Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 183 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release (and the first recorded with a full band and studio production) for the indie rock band led by Will Toledo was produced by Steve Fisk.
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Top Track

The Ballad of the Costa Concordia
I used to like the morning I'd survived another night I'd walk to breakfast through the garden See the flowers stretching in the sunlight Now I wake... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 11, 2016
    100
    It's a rare occasion of art transcending influence, with Toledo sounding like he's coming apart while doing it.
  2. Paste Magazine
    May 24, 2016
    93
    Indie rock may not be dying, but it’ll be hard for people to make it sound as alive as Toledo does on Teens of Denial. This is the sort of record where you wish like hell you could hear it again for the first time and that’ll keep rewarding return visits for years to come.
  3. Pitchfork
    May 20, 2016
    85
    More important than this deft lyrical touch, though, is his ability to display it within a musically engaging song. Unlike some indie-rock songwriters, Toledo's lyrics don't just sit on the page. The choruses don't arrive at the expected moments or follow traditional shapes, but they hit hard nonetheless.
  4. Exclaim
    May 18, 2016
    80
    Despite clocking in at a whopping 70 minutes, Car Seat Headrest pack enough hooks in to avoid lagging, thanks to Toledo's practice with his lengthy yet phenomenal earlier albums Twin Fantasy and How to Leave Town.
  5. Uncut
    May 24, 2016
    80
    His latest fizzes with energy and smarts, and sees him letting his imagination off the leash to irresistible effect. [Jul 2016, p.70]
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  6. Dusted Magazine
    May 19, 2016
    80
    Toledo’s first full band record, his first record with a producer, with a sound that is ragged but clean, emotionally raw but cleverly structured. It’s a record that engages heart and mind and viscera all at once, and if some of the songs go on longer than pop usually does, it’s because they have more to say.
  7. PopMatters
    May 26, 2016
    60
    With brevity missing from Toledo’s musical toolkit (see the blame-deflecting “The Ballad of the Costa Concordia” and its 11:32 run time), the pain is exacerbated by songs that are simply too long to be memorable; what few hooks exist on Teens of Denial are quickly forgotten.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Bigbry
    May 22, 2016
    10
    Checked this out because of the high score on here. Wow what a great album musically and lyrically!! First time I heard it I thought thisChecked this out because of the high score on here. Wow what a great album musically and lyrically!! First time I heard it I thought this is a future classic. Very different than what is out now and reminds me of so many bands and obviously Pavement and 90's rock. Highly recommended and I will be following this band from now on.… Expand
  2. canoeingrox
    Sep 20, 2016
    10
    This album deserves every praise and accolades it gets. It brings together all the best elements of the rock genre: angst, spontaneity, andThis album deserves every praise and accolades it gets. It brings together all the best elements of the rock genre: angst, spontaneity, and fun. A masterpiece for the ages.… Expand
  4. mrichardsg
    May 24, 2016
    10
    This is easily one of my favorite albums of the year. I had never heard of this band before this album came out. Once I started listening toThis is easily one of my favorite albums of the year. I had never heard of this band before this album came out. Once I started listening to their new stuff I was compelled to listen to everything else. This is exactly what I've been seeking out for my summer. Can't wait to blast this in my car during road trips and weekend outings. It's got absolutely every sound I appreciate and admire.… Expand
  5. OPTrav
    May 28, 2016
    9
    My first Car Seat Headrest album and frankly I was not disappointed in the least. The masterful storytelling and genius instrumentation inMy first Car Seat Headrest album and frankly I was not disappointed in the least. The masterful storytelling and genius instrumentation in this lo-fi album make it a joy to listen to.… Expand
  6. brockcheese
    Aug 31, 2020
    9
    This album improves upon its predecessor in every way imaginable. Impressive music and vocals and lyricism about many of the follies of youthThis album improves upon its predecessor in every way imaginable. Impressive music and vocals and lyricism about many of the follies of youth in the modern age.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 24, 2021
    8
    This album is sure to be a classic in its retrospective views in the new decade. Great lyrics and great riffs, this band is a hidden gem everyThis album is sure to be a classic in its retrospective views in the new decade. Great lyrics and great riffs, this band is a hidden gem every music listener should endure.… Expand
  8. Ricko
    Dec 20, 2016
    7
    Hard to judge this album as the manner in which Will Toledo has arrived at this record is quite complex.. Predecessor, "Teens of Style" wasHard to judge this album as the manner in which Will Toledo has arrived at this record is quite complex.. Predecessor, "Teens of Style" was the outfits major label debut but essentially was a "best of" that covered 9 lo fi independent releases put over a 5 year period. An excellent, focused collection but for me, can't be considered a debut. So is "Teens of Denial" Car Seat Headrest's proper debut as a full time band? If so than its hard to talk of progression in a proper sense. For me its album 1 of phase 2. It's a lot more bulkier than previous output in terms of sound density but achieving this wouldn't be hard. In terms of songwriting, its a strong record, with hooks galore borrowed from the history of rock. Lyrically, its quite memorable, something you don't get too often these days. Its an enjoyable listen and is a great garage rock record. It doesn't quite live up to the incredible hype though. There is one recurring problem I have with the record.It drags in places and overstays its welcome (70 minutes long!!!), which for something that is supposed to be indie rock, is a sin. Still, you could do worse than give this a spin.
        … Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Album of 2016
56
#56 Most Discussed Album of 2016
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2016

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