What makes Bitter & Twisted by Area-7 notable?

Bitter & Twisted received critical acclaim for its catchy hooks and incisive lyrics addressing social issues, helping to cement Area-7's position within the Australian ska and punk scenes. The album's lead single, Boys Don't Cry, gained significant radio airplay, contributing to its chart success and influencing a wave of bands embracing similar styles in the early 2000s. Released in 2000, Bitter & Twisted is Area-7's third studio album, following their 1998 release, The Last of the One-Eyed Men. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the Australian music scene, building on their previous successes while refining their signature sound that blends energetic ska with alternative rock elements.

How many songs are on Bitter & Twisted?

Bitter & Twisted has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Bitter & Twisted

Area-7 · 2000

41 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant fusion of ska rhythms and alternative rock sensibilities that encapsulates youthful angst and social commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Boys Don't Cry — This track combines infectious melodies with poignant lyrics discussing societal expectations of masculinity, making it a standout anthem for emotional expression.
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Start Making Sense — With its driving beat and sharp lyrical critique of apathy, this song embodies the band's ability to blend fun with meaningful messages.
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Second Class Citizen — This track's introspective lyrics address feelings of marginalization while showcasing the band's knack for crafting relatable narratives through catchy instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album blends ska and alternative rock effectively, showcasing strong lyrical themes and energetic compositions.

What we noticed

The first half of the album maintains a high energy with fast tempos and upbeat ska rhythms, while the second half introduces more varied pacing and introspective themes.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing the band's ska influences and creating an engaging dynamic.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bitter Words 3:24
2 Start Making Sense 3:30
3 Himbo 3:20
4 Blind 3:49
5 Walk Away 2:54
6 Boys Don't Cry 3:30
7 Skin Deep 3:48
8 Dodgy Mate 3:22
9 Let Me Down 3:49
10 Unsung Hero 2:59
11 Second Class Citizen 3:37
12 Big Ben 3:07

What to play next

Listen next

Say It to My Face

2001

Go back to

No Logic!

1998

Full Area-7 discography Artists like Area-7

alternative rock ska

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata