Waking Up Is Hard to Do
Giant Drag · 2013
45 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A blend of lo-fi indie rock with sardonic lyrics and melodic hooks, capturing the bittersweet essence of youthful disillusionment.
Top tracks — play these first
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90210 — This track opens the album with a catchy melody and sharp commentary on superficiality, establishing the tone for the rest of the record.
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Garbage Heart — Blending self-deprecating humor with poignant reflections on love, this song encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of personal flaws.
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Sobriety Is a Sobering Experience — The title track cleverly juxtaposes its serious subject matter with upbeat instrumentation, highlighting Hardy's knack for blending humor with darker themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines introspective lyrics with a lo-fi sound, but lacks strong cohesion in its sequencing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower tracks that create a reflective atmosphere.
- Several songs feature layered guitar textures and prominent bass lines, contributing to a lo-fi aesthetic that complements the sardonic lyrics.
- The lyrics often employ humor to address themes of disillusionment, with a conversational delivery that feels intimate and personal.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- catchy melodies with disillusioned themes
- short tracks for quick engagement
- angsty vibes for introspection
- playful irreverence with emotional depth
- late-night listening with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished production styles
- seek long, immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Waking Up Is Hard to Do is Giant Drag's first release since their 2006 debut, and it marks a significant return after several years of relative silence. During this hiatus, founding member Annie Hardy navigated personal challenges and shifts in her artistic direction, leading to a more mature sound that still retains the band's characteristic wit.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Kills· Yeah Yeah Yeahs· Best Coast
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 90210 3:54
- 2 We Like the Weather 3:26
- 3 Won’t Come Around 3:49
- 4 Do It 5:08
- 5 Firestorm 3:16
- 6 Garbage Heart 3:25
- 7 Meowch 4:32
- 8 Messif My Face 3:37
- 9 Dennis the Pennis 4:00
- 10 Sobriety Is a Sobering Experience 2:41
- 11 Heart Carl 3:39
- 12 Seen the Light 3:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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