What makes The Always Open Mouth by Fear Before notable?

The Always Open Mouth received significant critical acclaim upon its release, landing on various year-end lists and solidifying Fear Before's presence in the post-hardcore scene. The album's unique sound and lyrical depth influenced a wave of bands seeking to blend punk with more intricate musical elements, helping to shape the genre's direction in the mid-2000s. Released in early 2006, The Always Open Mouth marked Fear Before's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Odd How People Shake. At this point, the band was transitioning into a more experimental sound, showcasing their evolution from aggressive punk roots to a complex blend of genres.

How many songs are on The Always Open Mouth?

The Always Open Mouth has 15 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

The Always Open Mouth

Fear Before · 2006

46 min · 15 tracks · punk rock

Chaos and melody intertwine, creating an electrifying soundscape that challenges the boundaries of punk rock and post-hardcore.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party — This track encapsulates the album's thematic focus on existential dread while balancing chaotic instrumentation with catchy hooks, making it a standout single.
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Drowning the Old Hag — Featuring frenetic energy and vivid imagery, this song highlights the band's ability to fuse punk aggression with thought-provoking lyrics about nightmares and reality.
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My (Fucking) Deer Hunter — This track exemplifies the album's signature sound with its dynamic shifts between heavy riffs and melodic sections, reflecting both vulnerability and intensity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album's experimental approach and complex structures make it a notable entry in post-hardcore, though its cohesion suffers slightly.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt tempo changes, with tracks like 'Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party' shifting from chaotic verses to melodic choruses.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as 'Complete and Utter Confusion…', which blends spoken word elements with heavy instrumentation.
The use of layered vocals creates a dense soundscape, particularly in songs like 'Drowning the Old Hag', where harmonies intertwine with aggressive instrumentation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Mouth

The narrative voice confronts personal demons through disjointed thoughts and visceral imagery.

The abrupt shifts in tone create a jarring effect that mirrors the chaos within, emphasizing the struggle against internal conflict.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Absolute Future 1:06
2 Drowning the Old Hag 2:54
3 Mouth 3:32
4 Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party 2:44
5 Ten Seconds in Los Angeles 2:20
6 The Waiting Makes Me Curious 4:49
7 High as a Horse 2:36
8 Dog Sized Bird 2:13
9 Complete and Utter Confusion… 2:19
10 …As a Result of Signals Being Crossed 4:02
11 My (Fucking) Deer Hunter 4:11
12 Lycanthropy 3:07
13 A Brief Tutorial in Bacchanalia 4:36
14 A Gift for Fiction 2:19
15 Absolute Past 3:07

What to play next

Listen next

Fear Before

2008

Go back to

Art Damage

2004

Full Fear Before discography Artists like Fear Before

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata