Released 20 years ago
How to Destroy a Relationship
The Servant · 2006
43 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A gritty blend of alternative rock and indie sensibilities, reflecting on the complexities of relationships with sharp lyrical wit.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Hey Lou Reed — This track cleverly references the iconic musician while exploring themes of existential longing and artistic influence, embodying the album's introspective spirit.
-
→
Save Me Now — The emotionally charged lyrics combined with an infectious chorus highlight the struggle for connection amidst turmoil, making it a standout anthem on the album.
-
→
(I Should Be Your) Girlfriend — With its playful yet poignant exploration of unrequited love, this track showcases the band's ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion, a hallmark of their style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines strong lyrical content with varied tempos and instrumentation, though it lacks a cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a driving tempo with prominent guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
- The album closes with a track that gradually fades out, leaving an unresolved feeling that echoes the themes of relationship complexities.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady mid-tempo exploration of love
- catchy melodies with sharp lyrics
- reflective moments for late nights
- gritty honesty in relationship themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released as The Servant's second album, How to Destroy a Relationship followed their self-titled debut from 2004. By this time, the band was carving out a unique niche in the UK indie scene, building on their initial recognition while experimenting with more introspective themes and sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Cooper Temple Clause· Interpol· Editors
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 How to Destroy a Relationship 3:33
- 2 Sleep Deprivation 3:42
- 3 Hey Lou Reed 4:09
- 4 Save Me Now 3:56
- 5 Moonbeams 3:41
- 6 Brains 4:32
- 7 Hey Do You Feel Good? 4:46
- 8 (I Should Be Your) Girlfriend 3:49
- 9 I Wish I Could Stop Wishing for Things 3:19
- 10 On Your Knees Kid 4:22
- 11 Out of Phase 3:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.