The Correct Use of Soap cover

The Correct Use of Soap

Magazine · 1980

40 min · 10 tracks · new wave

Jagged guitar lines and sharp, sardonic lyrics intertwine in a vibrant exploration of urban disillusionment and existential angst.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Because You’re Frightened — This track opens the album with an unsettling tone, showcasing Magazine's unique blend of tension and melody while addressing themes of fear and alienation.
  • →
    I Want to Burn Again — The song's driving rhythm and intense vocal delivery encapsulate the frustration and desire for change, embodying the album's overarching themes of discontent.
  • →
    A Song From Under the Floorboards — This track stands out for its haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics, representing a pivotal moment where vulnerability meets critique of societal norms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends sharp lyrics and innovative sound, marking it as a significant entry in the new wave genre.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature jagged guitar lines that create a sense of urgency, while the fourth track introduces a slower tempo with a more reflective tone.
  • Lyrically, the album employs sharp, sardonic commentary on urban life, with several tracks featuring spoken word elements interspersed with singing.
  • The final track is notably longer than the others, incorporating a gradual build-up that culminates in an expansive instrumental section.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Because You’re Frightened 3:56
  • 2 Model Worker 2:53
  • 3 I’m a Party 3:05
  • 4 You Never Knew Me 5:26
  • 5 Philadelphia 4:08
  • 6 I Want to Burn Again 5:17
  • 7 Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) 3:40
  • 8 Sweetheart Contract 3:20
  • 9 Stuck 4:07
  • 10 A Song From Under the Floorboards 4:11

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata