Individual Tracks: 

Victory Lap: 🟡 

Pretty solid intro track. I don't think I would listen to this track outside of the context of this album. It's definitely very ethereal but it gives off almost a poetry vibe with the instrumental taking an undeniable secondary role, although there is a part where horns come in for a second and the instrumental shines for a moment. There is also a moment where you can hear a female doing background vocals, which is kind of an impactful moment in the track. Knowing the track is about Alex beating cancer definitely adds to both the emotional appeal and my enjoyment of the lyrics.

Queen Victoria: 🟢

Queen Victoria is one of the singles for this album, and Alex's most popular track to date. Definitely worth listening to. It's a "love song" directed at Victoria intertwined with the story of his friends' youthful struggle with drug addiction. The lyrics on this track are extremely serviceable, but I wouldn't say I'm blown away. The track is extremely catchy and Alex's delivery is excellent. This track transitions to a much heavier sound, both vocally and instrumentally, which is seemingly Alex's strength. 

The Future's a Riot: 🔴

The album's first single, this track explores a third completely distinct sound. It comes with a Billy Corgan-esque delivery and leans into the pop sound. At around the 1:15 mark there is an offensively cliche percussion track, and instead of that nice heavy guitar we get a piano loop and some synthetic arpeggios. There are so many cringe-worthy moments in this track--from the lyrics to the millenial yelling and boring, sloppy, pop vibe--and the only redeeming qualities are the return of the horns on the instrumental track and Alex's shockingly strong vocal range. I wouldn't listen to this track again, even within the context of this album. I think it accomplishes what it wants to be to an acceptable degree, it's just not something I look for or even can appreciate on this album. 

Everything is Broken: 🟢

The album's third single, this is another track with lackluster lyrics that truly shines because of Alex's charm and an excellent instrumental. There are undeniable pop vibes on this track as well, but it feels like bones are intentional and well fleshed out, not thrown together in a DAW. I can live with the at times bland lyrics that come off as artificially deep when they are surrounded by great guitar tracks, great drums, and a compelling vocal delivery. 

27 Club: 🟢

When first looking at the title of this track, I rolled my eyes. The opening lyric made me feel a similar way. The track is definitely supposed to be a softer, deeper track on this album. As I continued listening, I was actually pretty charmed. The lyrics are definitely the strong compared to other tracks on the album and Alex's delivery shines once again. The instrumental didn't give me chills or anything but I felt it did exactly what it was supposed to do. This track felt like a necessary part of this album and I honestly loved it.

My Year in a Plastic Bag: 🟡

This track has a punk feel. A fourth new lyrical and vocal style from Alex that honestly works quite well. The guitar and drums are both strong. Production on this track also stands out in a good way. While lyrics are a little repetitive, it fits the punk vibe of this track. Again, feminine background vocals heighten this track. I think this track is quite serviceable but even with everything it does well, I think it is overshadowed by other tracks on the album and at the end of the day, just kind of boring. 

Super Dilla Cancer Killa: 🟢

This track is the album's final single. Its got some real funky horns and once again Alex sounds completely different. It's honestly very fun. Alex takes a pretty serious topic (cancer) and copes with it in a fun, almost tropical, cut. This track has reggae undertones and is completely distinct from every other track on the album. Also there's a girl that sings in spanish at the end of the song, which is pretty random.

Looking Up: 🟡
The lyrics on the back half of this project are generally better, including this song. The instrumental on this track has some country to it and its lyric's certainly fit the album's overall theme. Alex utilizes a raspy scream on this track which just doesn't sound good. I love bad vocals more than anyone, but this track's vocals are screechy and annoying. Not a song I would add to a playlist, but I can definitely appreciate it. 

These Days Are Just Like the Good Old Days: 🟡

Another one of Alex's slow tracks. Again I don't find the lyrics very compelling, and the instrumental is a little cliche. When Alex gets caught up in a DAW the song generally suffers. Songs with a heavy guitar and drums compensate for some lackluster lyrics on the album. The lack of those elements on this song and uninspiring lyrics make a fine but forgettable track. 

Don't Look Down (On the Harlem Drive to MSK): 🟢

The final track of this album is again, has a completely unique sound. This instrumental goes to the DAW for horms and synths but generally has a pretty strong, full sound. This track has probably the best lyrics on the album. The track, clocking in at a little over six minutes, feels like a grand finale, both instrumentally and lyrically. It feels like the conclusion to a great story. While slow and mellow, it is certainly epic. Alex shows once again, on this track, that he has strong vocal capabilities. While I'm not obsessed with the album as a whole, the conclusion conveyed with this track feels like it fits its story as a whole. 

Totals: 

🔴 -- 1 

🟡  -- 4

🟢 -- 5

While this album certainly has a lot of good, there is immense inconsistency. The lyrics are extremely hit or miss. The instrumentals are rarely terrible but rarely excellent as well. Beyond the inconsconsistent quality, the album faces an overall identity crisis. Alex shows that he can effectively make many different types of songs. However, he fails to prove he can make an album. A reggae track, punk track, pop track, a few heavy indie tracks and a few mellow indie tracks strung together do NOT make a cohesive album, even when the lyrics are consistent. There seemed to be a lack of flow and curation. Part of this issue is the fact that almost half the album is singles. 3 of the 5 "Green Light" tracks (and the only "Red Light" track) on this album are singles, meaning fans already had almost every track worth listening to. Craig Finn (of the Hold Steady) raved about this album on Instagram. Since Finn is my personal GOAT when it comes to concept/story albums, I had high expectations for this project. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype at all. 

Final score: 🟡 6 out of 10 

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