The Mess We've Made

Bad Veins | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: April 24, 2012
• Label: Modern Outsider Records
• Copyright: 2012 Modern Outsider Records
• Total Length: 42:23
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B007IKZGSG
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,312 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars No sophomore slump for these guys April 24, 2012

By Paul Allaer TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Bad Veins is the Cincinnati-based indie-music duo of singer-songwriter-guitarist Ben Davis and drummer Sebastien Schultz, which released its critically acclaimed (but commercially flopped) debut album in 2009. An EP with more songs from those sessions followed in early 2011. Since then the band has changed labels, and forged ahead. Now finally comes the band's eagerly awaited second album.

"The Mess We've Made" (10 tracks; 42 min.) kicks off with 2 of its most immediately accessible songs, the irresitable "Don't Run" (which could/should be a single), and an equally upbeat "Nursery Rhyme". There was nothing so outright pop-like on the band's debut album, that's for sure. "If Then" is a more introspective tune, with singer-songwriter Ben Davis crooning "I am the silence/You are the marching band/I am the sleep/You are the wonderland". The fist half of the album closes with another great stomper, "Child". The second half of the album kicks off with "Doubt", a reflective tune. The album's second half indeed is much more subdued, although it does contain the poppy sing-along "Dancing On TV" (reminding me of "Warm and Gold" from the first album). The album's closer is a curious "Not Like You", featuring trumpets upfront, and sounding a bit out of place.

In all, this is a very enjoyable album pretty much from start to finish. I personally perfer the straight-forward "pop" songs, which are simply irresistable. Given the disappointing sales of the first album, I have no idea if they can break through with this album, I sure hope they will. I've seen these guys countless times over the years in concert in many different places around Cincinnati, and they never fail to put on an entertaining show (along with "Iris", the reel-to-reel tape player which is the unofficial third member of the band). I saw them again this past weekend, at one of the several CD relase shows they played around town. Bottom line: "The Mess We've Made" is highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Addicted... May 27, 2012

By Chris

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I downloaded "gold and warm" from their first album a few years ago and have been an avid fan ever since. I was little worried about this album being as amazing as their first because it had been so long, but it's really good. Really good. I can stop listening to it. They have definitely grown, but for the better. Listen to the sample and decide for yourself. Best tracks are "don't run" and "if then"

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fluffier but still great. April 24, 2012

By Ryan

Format:Audio CD

I wanted this album to be like their first. An orchestral car crash where the emotion is thrown at you through crashing drums and a crunchy guitar. This album is definitely different, but it's still the same bad we love. The first word I thought of when trying to describe it was "fluffy". It's a more upbeat record, the lyrics are there, and the melody is there, it's just filtered a little more through synths and violins and less on the drums and guitar. It took me a few listens to appreciate what it is not what it could have been in comparison to their previous album. But it's still an amazing album that will break your heart while making your toes tap.