Bad Blood (studio album)
by Bastille

A very strong debut. Excellent production and playing. Very memorable, melodically-strong songs, with some unique lyrics. The only thing that holds this album back is it plays it a little bit too safe with its non-hit songs. 9/10!

I liked this one at some point, but ended up only listening to it for Daniel in the Den after a couple of revisits.

The problem here is that although the album is consistent, it's consistently mediocre. Bastille's pop songs aren't exuberant enough to be worthwhile (like Carly Rae Jepsen) or dark enough to be interesting (like Grimes). Why listen to something that stays within rigid conventions when there are countless pop artists pushing boundaries? I'm surprised a Twin Peaks fan, who named one of their tracks "Laura Palmer", would ever release something so... safe.

From xMUSICSNOBx 04/26/2016 17:37

Thoroughly boring. Structured to meet the emotional needs of the average pop-rocker with boy issues. Overlong with not reason to be. The lyricism is as weak as their fans knees when they come out on stage. The instrumentalism is the only thing holding this album up, and even that isn't enough to impress anyone who listens to music for longer than the allotted 3 minute pop-rock sweet spot. I'd return to this album in the future, but I think I'd just dislike it even more then. So I can confidently post my rating with this comment, because I know it's not gonna change, just like the minds of the kids emersed in the all-too-ignorant pop scene. 3/10.

Solid, Good album. The lyrics aren't great, but everything else is.

75/100

From Mophos 11/16/2013 18:05

I found this record to be superficial on every aspect (lyrics, sound). No doubt it is easy to access but I think Bastille will be quickly forgotten.

Enjoyed many of Bastille's singles and some songs from his EPs. I found this album to be a easy listen. Not a very accomplished album lyrically but some of the songs have some great hooks and this album is accessible to the mainstream audience. It's a shame that my favourite songs from the album are ones I previously heard in EP's. Most of the other tracks seem to be fillers.