What makes Change by The Dismemberment Plan notable?

'Change' is significant for its innovative blend of genres, which helped define the early 2000s emo and indie rock movements. The album received widespread critical acclaim, landing high on year-end lists from notable outlets like Pitchfork and has influenced numerous bands within the genre. Released on October 23, 2001, 'Change' marked The Dismemberment Plan's fourth studio album and came after their critically acclaimed record 'Emergency & I'. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from their earlier punk roots to incorporate more diverse influences, showcasing a willingness to experiment with sound and lyrical depth.

How many songs are on Change?

Change has 14 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Released 25 years ago this October

Change

The Dismemberment Plan · 2001

58 min · 14 tracks · punk rock

Eclectic rhythms and adventurous melodies collide with heartfelt lyrics, embodying a profound yet playful exploration of personal change.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Sentimental Man — The opening track sets the tone with its introspective lyrics and complex instrumentation that foreshadows the album's exploration of emotional landscapes.
→
Superpowers — This track exemplifies the band's unique ability to merge catchy melodies with thought-provoking themes about personal identity and societal expectations.
→
Ellen and Ben — A standout narrative piece that delves into relationships with an earnestness that resonates deeply, showcasing the band's lyrical storytelling prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's eclectic rhythms and layered instrumentation create a distinctive sound that rewards repeated listens.

What we noticed

Several songs incorporate layered instrumentation, with guitars and keyboards weaving in and out of the mix, enhancing the eclectic sound.
The lyrics often shift between introspective themes and playful imagery, reflecting a duality in tone that invites deeper engagement.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Sentimental Man 4:16
2 The Face of the Earth 4:46
3 Superpowers 4:48
4 Pay for the Piano 3:23
5 Come Home 5:05
6 Secret Curse 2:50
7 Automatic 4:16
8 Following Through 4:38
9 Time Bomb 4:24
10 The Other Side 3:45
11 Ellen and Ben 5:02
12 What Do You Want Me To Say? 4:17
13 B.T.A. 0:57
14 Crush 6:15

What to play next

Listen next

A People's History of the Dismemberment Plan

2003

Go back to

Emergency & I

1999

Full The Dismemberment Plan discography Artists like The Dismemberment Plan

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata