The Scholars

An interesting return to form of sort for CSH after disappointing "Making a Door Less Open". This is not for everyone, and most of these songs will not be on my "liked" playlist, but as an album, listening start to finish it's a good concept album. However, I'm missing the energy from "Twin Fantasy" and "Teen of Denial". I've always loved CSH because of their ability to sounds vulnerable and emotional without coming of as cringe while making fantastically arranged and catchy pop-rock, that simultaneously sounds homemade and well produced. This record is a bit different, and that's ok. There's a larger emphasis on storytelling from multiple characters' perspectives, and as someone who has trouble understanding lyrics when listening to music, I did find myself lacking context fairly often. It's a challenging listen, running an hour long with some songs lasting up to 19 minutes, so I can't put all the blame on myself for losing track. It's not necessarily for me but I get what they were going for, and contrary to their last record, the execution is done well enough this time. I just hope they don't take another five years next time. I do get the feeling this one is a grower, but I'm not sure I'll give it enough listens for that to happen, I'm just itching to listen to "Twin Fantasy" again.