Media
The Faint · 1998
38 min · 13 tracks · indie rock
A frenetic blend of post-punk rhythms and synth-driven melodies that captures the anxieties of modern media culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Syntax Lies — The opening track sets the tone with its driving beat and sharp lyrical commentary on truth in media, encapsulating the album's thematic concerns.
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Some Incriminating Photographs — This track features catchy hooks intertwined with biting lyrics about surveillance and personal privacy, showcasing the band's skill at blending irony with infectious melodies.
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Amorous in Bauhaus Fashion — With its danceable rhythm and artful references, this song exemplifies The Faint's ability to merge visual art concepts with music, creating a vivid auditory experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends punk energy with electronic elements, showcasing strong craft and distinctiveness within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features driving rhythms and layered synths, while the second half shifts to more atmospheric and experimental soundscapes.
- Several songs include spoken word elements interspersed with sung vocals, adding to the narrative quality of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- urgent rhythms for active moments
- short bursts of frenetic energy
- intense headphone detail exploration
- playful irreverence in sound
- cathartic release through chaos
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, melodic tracks
- seek straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Media was The Faint's second album, coming just a year after their debut, Blank-Wave Arcade. At this point, the band was establishing its unique sound within the indie rock scene, characterized by an experimental approach to electronic elements and a strong visual aesthetic.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Death from Above 1979· The Postal Service· Hot Chip
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Syntax Lies 3:39
- 2 Some Incriminating Photographs 3:08
- 3 As the Doctor Talks 3:16
- 4 Tandem: City to City 2:13
- 5 Repertoire of Uncommon Depth 3:42
- 6 Typing: 1974–2048 2:00
- 7 Lullaby for the... 0:54
- 8 Acting: On-Campus Television 2:34
- 9 (Getting/Giving the Lock) 2:49
- 10 Amorous in Bauhaus Fashion 3:01
- 11 There's Something Not as Valid When the Scenery Is a Postcard 2:33
- 12 An Allusion Passes Through the Bar 6:57
- 13 Defy the Ailments 2:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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