Released 20 years ago
How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps
The Ordinary Boys · 2006
45 min · 15 tracks · indie rock
A sardonic mix of sharp indie rock riffs and witty lyrics that critique modern life and aspirations.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lonely at the Top — This track encapsulates the album's themes of disillusionment with success, blending infectious hooks with biting lyrics about isolation amidst fame.
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I Luv U — With its playful yet cynical take on romance and relationships, this song stands out for its catchy chorus and relatable narrative.
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Boys Will Be Boys — This anthem critiques traditional masculinity while providing an energetic vibe that reflects the band’s signature style, 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 combines sharp riffs with social commentary but lacks standout depth or cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a brisk tempo with sharp guitar riffs and punchy lyrics, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective tone.
- Several tracks feature a call-and-response vocal style, enhancing the satirical commentary on modern life.
- The album closes with two tracks that drop the energy significantly, creating a sense of resolution after the preceding intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- steady mid-tempo progression
- sharp wit and humor
- social commentary with energy
- ideal for group listening
- playful irreverence throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slower, introspective music
- dislike lyrical critiques
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, this album marked The Ordinary Boys' fourth studio effort, coming after their breakthrough with 'Brassbound' in 2004. It represented a continuation of their exploration of social commentary through catchy melodies, solidifying their place in the UK indie scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Streets· Arctic Monkeys· Hard-Fi
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Introducing the Brand 0:37
- 2 Lonely at the Top 3:10
- 3 Great Big Rip Off 3:00
- 4 Club Chez Moi 3:05
- 5 I Luv U 3:14
- 6 Nine2five 3:02
- 7 Commercial Breakdown 1:18
- 8 Ballad of an Unrequited Self-Love Affair 3:57
- 9 The Higher the Highs 2:57
- 10 Shut Your Mouth 3:12
- 11 We've Got the Best Job Ever 3:23
- 12 Walking on the Faultlines (The Ultimate Step) 3:24
- 13 Thank You and Goodnight 5:52
- 14 Who's That Boy? 2:41
- 15 Boys Will Be Boys 2:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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