Rock City vs The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts · 2014
95 min · 19 tracks · hard rock
A chaotic blend of punk energy and melodic hard rock fueled by sharp lyrics and infectious hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Greetings From Shitsville Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Loveshit — This track exemplifies the band's knack for catchy melodies layered over gritty guitar riffs, showcasing the emotional vulnerability that contrasts with its upbeat sound.
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Caffeine Bomb — An energetic anthem that captures the essence of youthful rebellion, featuring punchy lyrics that tackle themes of addiction and dependency in a relatable way.
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TV Tan — With its infectious chorus and biting commentary on consumerism, this song serves as a perfect example of the band's ability to blend humor with social critique.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases energetic songwriting with sharp lyrics but lacks some cohesion in its extensive tracklist.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high-energy tempo with tracks that feature aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms.
- Several songs incorporate abrupt tempo shifts, such as 'Don't Worry 'Bout Me / 29 x The Pain', which transitions from a slow build to an explosive chorus.
- The lyrics often employ sharp wit and social commentary, particularly in tracks like 'Greetings From Shitsville' and 'Hate The World Day'.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- irreverent humor in lyrics
- dynamic journey through tracks
- for late-night energy
- sing-along anthems with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek mellow, laid-back vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revitalized interest and marked a return to form after a decade of challenges.
- Themes
- consumerism critique· addiction struggles
- Career context
- By the time 'Rock City vs The Wildhearts' was released in January 2014, The Wildhearts were navigating a resurgence after a decade marked by lineup changes and long absences from the studio. This album followed their previous effort, 'Chutzpah!', which showcased a renewed creative vigor and set the stage for this project that further solidified their distinctive sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Darkness· Hell Is for Heroes· Reuben
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Greetings From Shitsville Start here 5:50
- 2 TV Tan 5:57
- 3 Everlone 7:41
- 4 Shame On Me 4:49
- 5 Loveshit 4:27
- 6 The Miles Away Girl 6:05
- 7 My Baby Is A Headfuck 4:13
- 8 Suckerpunch 3:24
- 9 News Of The World 5:11
- 10 Drinking About Life 3:27
- 11 Love U 'Til I Don't 5:37
Disc 2
- 1 Don't Worry 'Bout Me / 29 x The Pain 7:00
- 2 Red Light, Green Light 3:14
- 3 Naivety Play 3:56
- 4 Hate The World Day 5:56
- 5 Turning American 7:21
- 6 The Duck Song 1:18
- 7 Caffeine Bomb 3:27
- 8 I Wanna Go Where The People Go 6:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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