Failure
The Posies · 1988
69 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock
Melodic harmonies intertwine with jangly guitars, creating a lush soundscape that encapsulates the spirit of late '80s alternative rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blind Eyes Open — Opening with vibrant guitar riffs, this track captures the essence of the album's melodic charm while introducing themes of introspection and vulnerability.
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Under Easy — This song stands out for its intricate harmonies and reflective lyrics, emphasizing the band's ability to blend pop sensibilities with deeper emotional undertones.
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Believe in Something Other (Than Yourself) — This track showcases a compelling shift in energy, merging upbeat instrumentation with poignant lyrics that critique self-absorption, making it a memorable highlight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and harmonies but lacks cohesion due to bonus tracks diluting its impact.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace with layered vocal harmonies and jangly guitar riffs.
- Tracks 6 through 10 introduce varied instrumentation, including piano and strings, creating a richer sound palette.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- bittersweet introspection and reflection
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- melodic harmonies for headphone listening
- engaging storytelling through varied tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid long experimental pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Failure' was released in January 1988, The Posies were still finding their footing in the alternative rock scene, following the release of their debut album 'Greetings from SLC' just a year prior. This second album marked a significant step forward in their songwriting and production quality, showcasing a more polished sound and deeper lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Jayhawks· Big Star· Matthew Sweet
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Blind Eyes Open 3:54
- 2 The Longest Line 3:13
- 3 Under Easy 3:27
- 4 Like Me Too 3:38
- 5 I May Hate You Sometimes 3:22
- 6 Ironing Tuesdays 2:58
- 7 Paint Me 4:08
- 8 Believe in Something Other (Than Yourself) 4:11
- 9 Compliment? 3:27
- 10 At Least for Now 3:36
- 11 Uncombined 4:03
- 12 What Little Remains 2:53
- 13 I May Hate You Sometimes (demo) 3:15
- 14 Paint Me (demo) 3:11
- 15 Like Me Too (demo) 3:31
- 16 Alison Hubbard (instrumental) 2:59
- 17 After Many a Summer Dies the Swan (instrumental) 1:12
- 18 Blind Eyes Open (instrumental demo) 2:38
- 19 I May Hate You Sometimes (alternate version) 3:27
- 20 Compliment? (alternate version) 6:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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