Scatterbrain
The Chills · 2021
31 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant tapestry of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics reflecting on the complexities of life and existence.
Top tracks — play these first
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Monolith — This opening track sets the tone with its driving rhythm and existential themes, perfectly encapsulating the album's exploration of life's challenges.
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Caught in My Eye — Featuring a catchy chorus and vivid imagery, this song exemplifies The Chills' signature blend of melodic hooks and reflective lyrics.
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You're Immortal — This track offers a poignant meditation on mortality and legacy, showcasing Phillipps' lyrical depth amidst lush instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features engaging melodies and introspective lyrics but lacks a strong cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track, followed by a gradual increase in tempo through the first half before slowing down again in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature layered guitar melodies that create a rich, textured sound, while the lyrics often delve into introspective themes.
- The final track ends on a sustained chord, leaving a sense of unresolved tension that invites further reflection.
- 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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6/10
- 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
- short bursts of reflective energy
- vibrant melodies for sunny days
- playful yet introspective mood
- quick tracks for busy moments
Maybe skip if you
- long, drawn-out listening experiences
- slow-paced, heavy emotional content
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 14, 2021, Scatterbrain marks The Chills' first album in five years since Silverbullets in 2016. This record comes after a period of renewed creativity for frontman Martin Phillipps, following personal struggles and lineup changes that had shaped the band's recent history.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Bats· The Go-Betweens· The Clean
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Monolith 2:57
- 2 Hourglass 2:44
- 3 Destiny 2:55
- 4 Caught in My Eye 3:02
- 5 You're Immortal 3:09
- 6 Little Alien 3:35
- 7 Safe and Sound 3:01
- 8 Worlds Within Worlds 3:23
- 9 Scatterbrain 2:40
- 10 Walls Beyond Abandon 3:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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