Kneejerk verdict is that I prefer the first two albums. But they haven't taken a significant step backward, like Twentyone Pilots did. Is it just me or is his voice softer and smoother now? I wonder if that's a production thing now that they've got actual name recognition. I don't like it.
I'm a huge Front Bottoms fan, I hope you enjoy the show! Their concerts are such a joy. I prefer the first two albums as well, but I think that there are some real gems on the new album. "Cough it Out," "Historic Cemetery," and "The Plan" make me smile and sing along as much as any of their songs. It's fun to hear their sound evolving, but I think the biggest reason I haven't fallen in love with this new album is that Brian's lyricism seems to lack the straightforward hilarity, honesty, and insight that I feel like it used to have.