Traditionally, bands introduce themselves with self-titled albums. They believe it begins here, with me. What do we think of Bleachers' fourth, self-titled album? It indicates a “Bleachers” revival. Jack Antonoff, a multi-instrumentalist, Grammy-winning super-producer, and New Jersey cool kid, provides 14 mature, kaleidoscopic tracks with softer tones.
This Bleachers is hugging on the sofa, unlike the angsty one who barreled down the Garden State Parkway with a middle finger through the sunroof. Antonoff sings, “I'll make your bed/I'll make your home,” in a Beatles-like manner Woke Up Today.”
Bruce Springsteen, who guested on the last Bleachers album, “Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night,” is absent this time, but he nevertheless dominates the new set, especially when E Street-style horns threaten to swallow songs. Antonoff appears to think a sax solo is always perfect. He's an expert but wrong.
The Boss is less prominent in “Bleachers” than in prior films. “Tiny Moves,” with its ‘80s synth, could be on the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack, while “Self Respect” combines The National's relaxation with The Killers' bombast. Antonoff's “Call Me After Midnight” is a great 1975 imitation.
The elaborate "Hey Joe," a 2024 response to Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," is the album's best. Antonoff discusses war, fatherhood, and Marilyn Monroe spanning generations. “We gave peace a chance but didn’t know what it is,” he sings.
Lana Del Rey and Florence Welch sing and co-write on a song each, while Matt Healy from The 1975 plays piano and Aaron Dessner from The National co-writes. However, his guests don't appear in songs that sound like them.
Lyrical connections to Tom Waits and Bowie, plus pop culture references to Kobe Bryant, Kendall Jenner, Ken Burns, “Phantom Thread” and Balenciaga. Antonoff laughs at himself in “Modern Girl”: “I guess I’m/New Jersey’s finest New Yorker/unreliable reporter/pop music hoarder/some guy playing quarters.”
Antonoff's recent marriage to Margaret Qualley may have refocused him; “Me Before You” is a “Streets of Philadelphia”-style look back at a man with new perspective. Happy domesticity permeates the album, and Qualley's voice appears.
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