What makes It's Getting Tougher to Say the Right Things by Unbroken notable?

This album is notable for its critical reception within the punk community, receiving praise for its lyrical depth and musical progression. It has influenced subsequent bands in the melodic hardcore genre, contributing to a shift towards more emotionally resonant songwriting in punk rock during the early 2000s. It's Getting Tougher to Say the Right Things is Unbroken's second album, released in 2000 following their debut, Life.Love.Regret. This release showcased their evolution within the punk scene, moving from straightforward hardcore to incorporate more melodic elements and introspective themes. At this point in their career, Unbroken was solidifying their identity, gaining traction among fans seeking deeper emotional connections in punk music.

How many songs are on It's Getting Tougher to Say the Right Things?

It's Getting Tougher to Say the Right Things has 11 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

It's Getting Tougher to Say the Right Things

Unbroken · 2000

47 min · 11 tracks · punk rock

A raw, high-energy blend of melodic punk and heartfelt lyrics that confronts emotional struggles and societal disillusionment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Absentee Debate — The opening track sets a tone of urgency and introspection, featuring driving rhythms and an exploration of personal conflict that resonates throughout the album.
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Love Will Tear Us Apart — This cover adapts Joy Division's classic into a punk context, showcasing Unbroken's ability to reinterpret themes of heartbreak while maintaining raw energy.
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Final Expression — With its poignant lyrics and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies the band's blend of aggressive instrumentation with deeply personal storytelling.
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Crushed on You — A standout for its catchy hooks and relatable lyrics about infatuation, it balances angst with a sense of humor that adds diversity to the album's emotional palette.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Foothills

Higher than 29% of albums we've rated

The album blends aggressive punk with melodic elements, showcasing lyrical depth and varied song structures.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features fast-paced tracks with aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective pieces.
Several songs incorporate tempo changes within their structures, creating dynamic contrasts that enhance emotional delivery.
Lyrically, the album addresses themes of disillusionment and personal struggle, often using vivid imagery and direct language.

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

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 Absentee Debate 3:05
2 Crushed on You 2:46
3 And 2:31
4 Fall on Proverb 3:10
5 Love Will Tear Us Apart 3:39
6 Final Expression 3:08
7 Set Up 3:25
8 Blanket 2:33
9 You Won't Be Back 2:39
10 Pain They Face 2:42
11 Unheard and Demo Songs 17:58

What to play next

Listen next

Death of True Spirit

2003

Go back to

Life. Love. Regret.

1994

Full Unbroken discography Artists like Unbroken

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata