Talon of the Hawk
The Front Bottoms · 2013
42 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A raw blend of confessional lyrics and frantic melodies captures the essence of youthful angst and restless energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Twin Size Mattress — This track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and emotional struggle, featuring an anthemic chorus that resonates with feelings of longing and introspection.
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Swear to God the Devil Made Me Do It — The song's frenetic pace mirrors its chaotic storytelling, making it a standout for its vivid imagery and confrontation of internal demons.
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Peach — With its catchy melody and clever wordplay, this track highlights the band's ability to blend humor with serious undertones, showcasing their signature lyrical style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic melodies with confessional lyrics, showcasing a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half introduces slower tempos and more introspective lyrics.
- Many songs utilize a call-and-response vocal style, creating a sense of dialogue between the lead vocalist and backing harmonies.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, contributing to a feeling of spontaneity and urgency throughout the record.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- confessional lyrics for catharsis
- playful irreverence with friends
- energetic anthems for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Talon of the Hawk is The Front Bottoms' second studio album, following their self-titled debut. By this point, they had begun to carve out a distinct identity within the Midwest emo and folk punk scenes, gaining traction with their unique narrative style and energetic performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Modern Baseball· Jeff Rosenstock· The Wonder Years
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Au revoir (Adios) 1:48
- 2 Skeleton 3:35
- 3 Swear to God the Devil Made Me Do It 3:30
- 4 Twin Size Mattress 4:24
- 5 Peach 3:05
- 6 Santa Monica 4:07
- 7 The Feud 3:13
- 8 Funny You Should Ask 3:34
- 9 Tattooed Tears 3:51
- 10 Lone Star 3:49
- 11 Backflip 3:45
- 12 Everything I Own 3:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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