Definitely Finn singing is an improvement, the lyrics seem to be evolving also. I listed to stuck between stations and chip ahoy, then The Sweet Part of the City and Hurricane J and to me the lyrics are a little more generalized and relate able.

I'm currently doing work experience at Rough Trade, so got to hear the new album yesterday. didn't grab me whatsoever, but I'll give it another bash.

It took me quite a few listens to get into it. Which seemed odd, because past albums I loved at first listen..

Did anyone catch the Rolling Stones review of Heaven is Whenever? I thought it was pretty exciting that they were featured on the cover.

Whats the appealing element of this band for people? It sounds like they took forumalic rock songs and Springsteen lyrics and then made them intentionally messier.

For me it's about Finn's lyrics, and I also just happen to like his voice. I just love the stories he tells. I admit it is very Springsteen influenced, but it's not like Finn hides his love for Springsteen. You also get references to his punk influences too.

I don't care for the instrument change-outs they made. We don't need any more 3-guitar bands, and a piano and a sax were ballin'.

Well the instrument changes were more due to their keyboardist leaving the group and their decision to not try and replace him rather than any particular stylistic choice. The group's first album was (sort-of) keyboard free so there's certainly a precedent for them to return to that style.

I must say, as an aging old rock pirate, this track both gave me life and depressed the hell out of me. But all rock should I suppose. The return of the keyboards and horns was all I needed to be fully back in.

I managed to see them in Brooklyn in December and it was fantastic. I personally thought this was thee track of 2019, but then again, what the hell do I know?

Nope, still not diggin' it. Although somewhere in this thread it appears I shat on Marquee moon, which I would like to humbly retract. That is an excellent album.

You didn't like Blackout Sam? Man, it's such a masterpiece. I grew up with so many guys like that.

I can only suspect it's because it has strong Springsteen influences. And Bruce remains the Polar Express of music. You can only truely hear it if you believe in America.