i was a bit weirded out by the first single, which is at least thankfully left at the end so it can be, err, quarantined, but this is definitely near the top of the year-end list, if the year-end list isn't full of pretentious garbage. i tend not to agree with most critics this side of the pitchfork abomination, but the acclaim on this is warranted. i just have a few suggestions for those reacting badly...
a) try headphones. it's not a stereo thing so much as it's a volume thing.
b) turn it up as loud as you possibly can.
i guess if you don't like loud, fast, energetic punk music then that's another issue. and i suppose a lot of people that are actually closer to my age (maybe a bit younger) really don't like that kind of fast, energetic music. which is a part of the record's appeal to those that are going to get it for what it is.
but, you know what they say: fuckin' hippies.
