The Balance
by Catfish and the Bottlemen
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2019
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 8 out of 32
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  1. emilyc
    Sep 1, 2019
    1
    only like 1 good song all sounds the same really not progressing or improving as a band
  2. Amcatb
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    I absolutely love this album. It’s my favourite release so far from 2019. Every song has his own character which I absolutely adore and sometimes missed with The Ride for example. Favourite songs: encore, mission, 2all, fluctuate and overlap. Would really recommend!
  3. Gainesy
    Jun 18, 2019
    3
    As a long time fan of Catfish, on the release of the Balance I was a little disappointed. The first four songs from Longshot to Conversation all released prior as singles, for me four singles was too much, and as they released the quality dipped. As for the rest of the album, generic indie, big heavy drops, affected vocals, all done before but better in my opinion. I have to say the onlyAs a long time fan of Catfish, on the release of the Balance I was a little disappointed. The first four songs from Longshot to Conversation all released prior as singles, for me four singles was too much, and as they released the quality dipped. As for the rest of the album, generic indie, big heavy drops, affected vocals, all done before but better in my opinion. I have to say the only saving grace of the album is ‘Intermission’ before the finale. The stripped back sound can resinate with the listener adding emotions other than over the top drops to which I can only picture crowds of teenage girls screaming to.
    I'm a firm believer in a bands 3rd Lp being a make or break. If you look at previous examples, Be Here Now by Oasis, they never touched on writing an album as good as What's the Story. Arctic Monkeys on the other hand a band that is known for switching up sounds with Humbug, joining the likes of Oasis as one of the biggest bands to come out of Britain. The Balance fails to bring anyhting new to the table and if the band decides to write a 4th LP, it needs a breath of fresh air because I would hate to see a band like Catfish that show plenty of potential fade away and forgotten.    … Collapse
  4. GRVCELESS
    Jun 14, 2019
    4
    Coming from someone who liked the last 2 albums from Catfish, at least in parts, this album was a disappointment. I wouldn't expect a drastic change to their sound, but there is a failure to develop at all, and in cases, sees a regression. Even for fans of the band, this album is shallow, with the most catchy, if not very creative, tracks were released prior to the album, and are coupledComing from someone who liked the last 2 albums from Catfish, at least in parts, this album was a disappointment. I wouldn't expect a drastic change to their sound, but there is a failure to develop at all, and in cases, sees a regression. Even for fans of the band, this album is shallow, with the most catchy, if not very creative, tracks were released prior to the album, and are coupled together at the start of the album, meaning it's a downhill slope. Above all the biggest criticism I can give the album, and applied to the majority of the songs featured, is that it is in it's near entirety, forgettable. Hopefully the negative reception will see them try and branch out creatively with any future releases.… Expand
  5. Danm95VFF
    Jun 3, 2019
    1
    One of the most pointless, inessential rock bands out there. How they've become so popular is beyond me. Nearly every song they've done sounds like a second-rate rewrite of an established rock hit. Instead, listen to Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood or even the friggin' Kooks. Flavourless.
  6. ImBathory
    May 3, 2019
    6
    The Balance by Catfish and The Bottleman is an okay album. The highlight is the opener Longshot.
  7. babyballs
    Apr 26, 2019
    1
    **** awful, its the same as the other 2 albums they shouldve called it the balcony 3
  8. Quezng
    Apr 26, 2019
    10
    Absolutely what was expected. Critic reviews mention how it is the same rehashed sound as the previous two albums released from Catfish but this is the exact experience actual fans want from Catfish. Too often do bands try and experiment with pop and electronic sounds, ruining their careers but Catfish's now three albums all have a timeless appeal. Overlap being my favorite of the albumsAbsolutely what was expected. Critic reviews mention how it is the same rehashed sound as the previous two albums released from Catfish but this is the exact experience actual fans want from Catfish. Too often do bands try and experiment with pop and electronic sounds, ruining their careers but Catfish's now three albums all have a timeless appeal. Overlap being my favorite of the albums rock anthems.… Expand
  9. zJake
    Apr 26, 2019
    7
    Another standard Catfish album, nothing truly innovative here but arena-level indie is what Van and co do best. For me it’s not as good as The Balcony and probably on par with The Ride. My favourite tracks so far are 2all, Overlap and Encore.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Q Magazine
    May 14, 2019
    60
    While their third third album won't win any prizes for innovation, it's pumped full of the kind of GM-modified anthems expressly tooled for both sticky-floored clubs and gigantic arenas. [Jul 2019, p.109]
  2. Uncut
    Apr 25, 2019
    40
    Parts of the album are perfectly serviceable but largely the songs become indistinguishable. [May 2019, p.26]
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 25, 2019
    60
    They don't expand their horizons, preferring to stick to the hyper-charged British indie they minted with their 2014 debut, The Balcony.
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