Selfish Machines
Pierce the Veil · 2010
54 min · 15 tracks · alternative rock
A whirlwind of melodic hooks and emotional intensity wrapped in post-hardcore and pop-punk energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Besitos Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Caraphernelia — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound with its dynamic shifts between soft melodies and explosive choruses, capturing the essence of heartbreak.
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Bulletproof Love — It stands out for its infectious chorus and intricate guitar work, reflecting themes of love and vulnerability that resonate throughout the album.
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Disasterology — Blending heavy instrumentals with poignant lyrics, this song showcases the band's ability to balance aggression with emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and energetic performances but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with rapid tempo changes, while the second half introduces slower, more introspective pieces.
- Many songs utilize a call-and-response vocal style between the lead singer and backing vocals, creating a dynamic interplay.
- Several tracks incorporate intricate guitar solos that shift in intensity, often building to explosive climaxes.
- 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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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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- explosive moments of intensity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established their reputation in the post-hardcore scene with significant attention.
- Themes
- California punk scene· explosive emotional turmoil
- Career context
- Selfish Machines is Pierce the Veil's second studio album, released in 2010 after their breakthrough debut, A Flair for the Dramatic. The album marks a key evolution in their sound, showcasing their growing popularity in the post-hardcore scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sleeping with Sirens· Of Mice & Men· Dance Gavin Dance
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Besitos Start here 4:23
- 2 Southern Constellations 1:05
- 3 The Boy Who Could Fly 5:08
- 4 Caraphernelia 4:29
- 5 Fast Times at Clairemont High 4:02
- 6 The New National Anthem 4:00
- 7 Bulletproof Love 3:58
- 8 Stay Away From My Friends 4:42
- 9 I Don't Care If You're Contagious 3:25
- 10 Disasterology 3:27
- 11 Million Dollar Houses (The Painter) 4:02
- 12 The Sky Under the Sea 4:34
- 13 She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty 3:48
- 14 Beat It 3:34
Disc 2
- 1 Making Of
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Flood
Of Mice & Men
Shares explosive melodies and raw emotional expression, blending post-hardcore with melodic elements.
Let's Cheers to This
Sleeping with Sirens
Captures similar youthful angst with intricate guitar work and anthemic choruses.
Sempiternal
Bring Me the Horizon
Explores complex arrangements and emotional depth with a mix of heavy and melodic elements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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