Ranking The Front Bottoms’ 7 Albums
One of the best and most exciting artists of the past decade and a half, The Front Bottoms have managed to make a name for themselves in an overly crowded genre by creating a sense of honesty and uniqueness in their music that never feels forced.
The group was founded by singer/guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mathew Uychich in 2006 and have gone through several different members through their existence, but have always maintained the duo of Brian and Mathew. The two are the driving force behind the signature sound of the band, while current and previous members have helped shape the edges as well as provided a larger assortment of instrumentation to the end product.
The Front Bottoms are probably most known for their lyricism, which tends to intertwine seemingly mundane thoughts and activities with heartfelt and clever rhyme schemes. This ability has helped amass a large following with the band’s nature providing relatability with the listener.
While I would rank these albums in the following order, I imagine if you were to ask 10 different fans, you’d probably get 10 different answers — something that’s quite an achievement and really shows the versatility of the band. Some people will like their early, more stripped down approach to songs, while others prefer the more full-bodied songwriting of their past 3 albums — either way that you prefer, you’re not wrong.
To properly rank these albums, I listened to them all near non-stop for the past 5–6 weeks.
7. My Grandma Vs. Pneumonia (2009)
This album in last place is a testament to the talent and quality of The Front Bottoms songwriting. The album contains a plethora of songs that are intricate and relatable, much like the rest of the band’s catalogue, but in its raw format the songs here occasionally come across even more poignant than they may have under the guidance of a more experienced sound engineer. That said, the album does ultimately come across much more similar to a demo rather than an actual album, particularly on the last half of the record. This, mixed with the fact that it’s very hard to understand the true tracklisting, (or even album cover) makes this album an obvious last place. It’s very disjointed, with no natural flow between tracks at all — this is fine on an individual song basis, but ends up being quite impactful when measuring an album as a whole.
Recommended Tracks: Christians Vs. Indians, Flying Model Rockets, & The Cops
6. The Front Bottoms (2011)
Despite its lower position, this was the album that originally got me into the band via their single “Maps”, a track I would play multiple times a day and show to anyone who would listen. This whole album is full of heartfelt songs that connect on a level few other lyricists are able to accomplish. Although I enjoy every song on this album, it’s unfortunately the only release from The Front Bottoms that feels somewhat tiresome to listen to all the way through. Sitting through the entire 45min runtime makes you realize how similar the songs sound and how repetitious the guitar and percussion riffs are. As the only album as a two-piece, you can hear the lack of musical variety coming through. Even at #6, it’s still a terrific record and likely a lot of fans’ favourite release from TFB.
You say, “I hate you,” you mean it
And “I love you” sounds fake
It’s taken me so long to figure that out
Recommended Tracks: Maps, Looking Like You Just Woke Up, & The Beers
5. I Hate My Friends (2008)
The Front Bottom’s debut album is undoubtably rough around the edges, the production level is poor, and the vocals show clear signs of inexperience, but damn if the clever melodies and original lyrics don’t still manage to make it a great listen anyway. It’s really no surprise that the band has rerecorded half of this album’s songs for 2 different EPs (and I personally prefer the redone versions). Each track shows such a surprisingly amount of depth that it’s a shame to let them go to waste due to bad production. Surprisingly, being the first release, Brian sings in a lower register and less nasally compared to the band’s later output — something that most singers usually do the reverse of. If you can get past the production, you’ll find a solid addition to the band’s discography in their debut.
I get left out of every plan they make
That is what I have to do
To be the only kid from high school
Who is still in love with you
Recommended Tracks: Current Events, Lipstick Covered Magnet, & Twelve Feet Deep
4. Going Grey (2017)
As what has become a trend with The Front Bottoms, I didn’t initially care much for this album when it first came out. At the time it felt like it was missing the distinct melody and energy that originally made me a fan. Luckily I didn’t give up on the release and, with time, now realize the brilliance of its subtlety. Yes, it’s heavier on synth and includes more flange on the guitar that makes for a distinctively different album, but it’s that difference that prevents the band from getting stale (and keeps me excited for future releases). While there’s no bad tracks, the front and back of the album probably feature the weakest songs, with the real heart of the record located in the middle — particularly the track “Vacation Town” which is one of the band’s best songs (both musically & lyrically) to date.
I miss the hours in the morning
And you in the morning hours
I miss walking naked through the backyard to get to the outdoor shower
Recommended Tracks: Vacation Town, Far Drive, & Don’t Fill Up On Chips
3. In Sickness & In Flames (2020)
I could see people being initially turned off by the sound of this record. While there isn’t any one thing that can be specifically pinpointed, there’s just an overall sense of maturity in the songwriting. Brian’s style previously seemed almost improvised in the past, but In Sickness & In Flames is an album of carefully thought out tracks. This may not work for every song, but it does as an album. Among the more polished sound of the record, you’ve got the band exploring more aggressive styles (“leaf pile”) and creating surprisingly catchy and danceable tunes (“bus beat”). The clever wordplay can still be found throughout, but it’s more subtle than before — another nod to a new level of maturity. My only complaint with record would be the little “skits” added to the endings of a couple songs, at over 52min it’s already the band’s longest record and these extra seconds could’ve been removed.
You bought an old film camera
You’re not even sure if it works
You say the lighting’s perfect
I look like a jerk
Recommended Tracks: jerk, leaf pile, & new song d
2. Talon of the Hawk (2013)
As their middle record, it makes sense that Talon of the Hawk serves as somewhat of a bridge between the band’s earlier work and their latest releases. Musically and lyrically it bares a lot of similarities with their earlier work, but there’s also a clear sense of depth and experimentation that would be explored further on the albums proceeding this one. As like most TFB records, the songwriting and melodies bring you in, but it’s the lyrics that really create and hold fans in. In this regard, Talon of the Hawk is one of the band’s best. Each song contains the little details that make them oddly relatable while also taking you on a journey through Brian’s life. In addition to that, there’s a lot of passion throughout the album’s runtime which adds even more realism and feel to the record.
She hopes I’m cursed forever to sleep on a twin-sized mattress
In somebody’s attic or basement my whole life
Never graduating up in size to add another
Recommended Tracks: Twin Size Mattress, Funny You Should Ask, & Skeleton
1. Back On Top (2015)
This is, in my humble opinion, the Holy Grail of Front Bottoms records. It’s one of the best records of the past 10 years, and it’s the release that took me from being a casual fan to someone who eagerly anticipates their releases. Every song here begs to be sung along too and I happily sing along (from memory) to every line in every song. The songs are complex without ever sounding unnecessarily overdone just for the sake of merit. Lyrically, it’s prime Brian — relatable and clever, yet simultaneously… surprisingly simple. From a musical standpoint, there’s a lot of subtle things that only really come out on repeat listens — songs that stylistically swerve to the left or right at a whim, yet still come off sounding in control. Back On Top is my go-to record when I just need a 40+ minutes of hit after hit.
I fuckin’ hate the comments — why do you feel you have to talk
Nobody asked for your opinion — your sick sad way of jerkin’ off
Every one you think you’re better then — what the fuck I’m guilty too
Half the time that I’m complaining — I’m just talking shit on you (I’m sorry)
Recommended Tracks: The Plan (Fuck Jobs), HELP, & West Virginia
Others!
The Front Bottoms, have several other releases that I certainly recommend giving a listen. Out of those, definitely try not to miss out on either the Rose or Ann EPs. They’re mostly made of older songs that have been reworked and they contain honestly some of my absolute favourite songs from the band.
