Great review, although I'm not sure you even needed to address the pointless, tiresome "industry plant" discourse, much less in the opening paragraph. As you correctly note, this conversation is often rooted in some sort of prejudice, so I would argue that mentioning it, even in a dismissive sort of way, simply legitimizes it further.
I had never heard of this band (much less the discourse) prior to reading your review, so I think that mentioning the "industry plant" stuff is actually just giving it new life and a broader reach, even though that's clearly not your intention.

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah i get you ebola, though admittedly i quite liked the challenge of addressing it without giving it any real credit haha. it'd feel a bit strange not addressing the (highly unfortunate) main 'thing' surrounding this band, and yet i suppose it does indeed keep the topic alive... aaa, tricky

Album Rating: 3.5

I think it would be weird to write a review without at least talking about how quickly and easily they've become highly visible. Not that I'm saying it should determine how they get judged musically (however it does influence how I evaluate their lyrical content)

"However, it should be noted that nothing The Last Dinner Party puts forth here sounds truly original: while all the arrangements may be expansive and intricate at once, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Prelude to Ecstasy captures anything fresh."

This sentence seems to contradict itself... hard to shake the feeling that it's original?

Great review otherwise.

Album Rating: 3.0

Can someone give me like a one or two line tl;dr of how these guys (gals) have been confirmed industry plants and why the discourse surrounding that is being overwhelmingly shoved to the forefront of any conversation about them? It's not like they'd be the first industry plants ever, nor will they be the last, so who cares? Why is that specific talking point dominating every discussion about this particular album?

realise how deeply uncool these guys' 'how-cool-is-it-being-uncool' schtick is but vibing with this

Album Rating: 4.0

oops good shout dylan! fixed that boi

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

tect - if the NME goes 100% to town over a new band it just whiffs of Pete Doherty instantly is about the sum of it

Album Rating: 2.0

So no

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

No…but something almost equally as worrying? Yes

cursory listen and I was not amazed, tho it was definitely pleasant. Unaware of the discourse but it's always weird to me how bands put out a couple songs then totally blow up on RYM.

Album Rating: 3.0

Oh wow, didn't realize NME still had that big a sway among the music savvies. Not sure who is actually more out of touch at this point - them or me. Industry plant, nepo babies, or whatever the case, this thing has three solid bangers (Burn Alive, Nothing Matters, and My Lady of Mercy). Can take or leave the rest, nothing remarkable but otherwise nothing offensive, either.

Album Rating: 3.5

I don't read NME so not sure if they have been gushing about the band or not, but they only gave the album 4/5 which is odd if they are "all in" as they hand out 5/5 reviews like 10% off promo codes these days. Heaps of other publications gave the album a higher score.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

I first heard about them with the BBC of all people pushing them, they seem pretty hyped up for mainstream crossover in the UK...I guess I expected to be bowled over in a sort of 'the new Arcade Fire' way, but more sort of a slightly more 'woah' Florence and the Machine in terms of appeal.



Sort of band that might be playing race courses in England in four years, just has that vibe, few £10 each way flutters, some shit canapes and this lot are playing at 6pm after your money has gone.

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah, it will definitely be interesting to see where they go from here. I'm not blown away either but I like it more than you. It's a 7.5 album for me (rounded up because they sound so out of step with what else is out there right now).

That last paragraph is exactly how I'm experiencing it right now. Immensely appreciative of the effort and spot-on songwriting, but I can't yet see where this fits into my daily life. Hard to find a venue or context for it.

Album Rating: 4.0

They know how to make hooks. Industry plants or not, this is pretty enjoyable.

Album Rating: 2.5

Burn Alive is a serviceable bop but the rest of it is just a bit naff, I don't see any replay value for myself... after 3.5 listens I can only recall Nothing Matters and that's because Spotify pimped it to me relentlessly for months prior.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

yeah, there is something naff in the presentation and sound of this



Spotify also keeps dragging me back to songs here and the vocals instantly stand out as 'not my thing' and it takes me a while to realise 'oh, it's this band, that's why I know it, yup'

Album Rating: 2.5

I had the reverse happen when listening to this for the first time, when Nothing Matters came on I had that lightbulb moment of "oh no it's this band"



Potential for them to mature into something more interesting I'm thinking.