An End Has A Start (studio album) by Editors

From slatsheit 11/24/2024 04:15

They took their Joy Division-ish adult-emo-post-punk approach from the debut and U2'ed (or Coldplay'ed) it up with soaring, anthemic choruses and stadium-pleasing musical gestures. Still good, but definitely something of a sell-out - and then the bottom more or less fell out. Oh, well, this is good, and the debut is a masterpiece.

These guys and this album sounds like a deeper, more brooding version of The Killers. But better than The Killers. I think so anyway. Starts great but starts to sound all to similar by the end. Not that that's bad as they're all decent songs.

A solid follow up to their debut. Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors and The Racing Rats are my highlights.

1. 90
2. 90
3. 95
4. 90
5. 65
6. 100
7. 60
8. 85
9. 65
10. 65

On their sophomore effort, Editors develop their sound into something more fulfilled and melodically majestic. In doing that they move from Echo and the Bunnymen territory into something closer to early U2. This also means that the songs on An End Has A Start are less rhythmic and rough, and more melodic. The songs don't hit as hard emotionally as on the band's debut and there are not as many hooks and infectious melodies here, but songs like "The Weight of the World and "Racing Rats" are still among the best in the band's entire back catalogue.

While one could argue that this new, filler sound makes Editors more of a mainstream indie rock band, I also believe the decision turns them easier to listen to. They also stand out from their peers by deliberately trying to step outside the crowded box of the post-punk genre. In that sense, An End Has A Start is largely successful. The first half is consistent and brilliant, with the second half feeling more tiresome and worn-out. The aforementioned "Racing Rats" and "Escape The Nest" are some of the more hard-hitting songs here, that actually help to keep the energy flowing through this album

Not got the power of the first album, but they're a talented bunch and thus is worth a listen.

More quality than its predecessor, but less poppy hooks.

This is great!

@an_outlaw - I hate you for ignoring 'Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors' all these years! You're pretending you like the album! You pretty much ignored it after one listen and never discovered the amazing song I just mentioned until 2013!

From Secondsoul 12/17/2012 14:02

It's a good follow up but was never going to reach the heights of it's brilliant predecessor. Some very good indie rock tunes on this album though!

A gloomy affair with lyrics in philosophical department. Actually a nice album if you are into that sort of thing. Not quite as pop influenced as their debut but has it's strengths. Well... actually I prefer it to debut.