Very Good Bad Thing
Mother Mother · 2014
38 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
A vibrant mix of catchy melodies and introspective lyrics wrapped in a textured indie rock soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Get Out the Way — This opening track sets the tone with its infectious energy and catchy chorus, showcasing the band's signature blend of upbeat instrumentation and sharp lyrical wit.
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Modern Love — A standout moment on the album, this track explores complex themes of relationships through vivid imagery and an engaging melody, exemplifying Mother Mother's knack for storytelling.
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Very Good Bad Thing — The title track encapsulates the album's central theme of paradoxical emotions, balancing dark subject matter with an uplifting arrangement that invites reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and varied pacing but lacks a fully cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and layered harmonies, while the fourth track shifts to a darker tone with a slower pace.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, creating an engaging dialogue between the singers.
- The album closes with a lengthy track that gradually builds in intensity before fading out, leaving a lingering emotional impact.
- 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
- steady flow with playful energy
- whimsical exploration of emotions
- great for upbeat gatherings
- inviting sing-along moments
- introspective yet lively vibes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid lengthy emotional builds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Mother Mother released Very Good Bad Thing in 2014, they were building on their growing success following the breakthrough album O My Heart from 2008. This fourth studio album arrived after a period of increased visibility, including a rise in radio play and festival appearances that solidified their place in the Canadian indie rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The New Pornographers· Tame Impala· Of Monsters and Men
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Get Out the Way 2:45
- 2 Monkey Tree 3:27
- 3 Modern Love 3:11
- 4 Reaper Man 4:40
- 5 I Go Hungry 3:37
- 6 Have It Out 3:39
- 7 Very Good Bad Thing 4:05
- 8 Kept Down 4:19
- 9 Shout If You Know 3:07
- 10 Alone and Sublime 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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