Mess
Studio album by
The Hard Aches
Released13 April 2018
RecordedSeptember 2017
StudioHoles and Corners, Melbourne, VIC
GenreAlternative rock, punk rock
Length36:31
Label
  • Anchorhead Records
  • ADA
ProducerSam Johnson
The Hard Aches chronology
Pheromones
(2015)		 Mess
(2018)		 I Saw The Future
(2023)
Singles from Mess
  1. "Mess"
    Released: 31 January 2018[1]
  2. "Happy"
    Released: 26 March 2018[2]

Mess is the second studio album by Australian melodic punk/alternative rock band The Hard Aches, released on 13 April 2018 by Anchorhead Records.[3] It was produced by Sam Johnson and recorded at Holes and Corners in Melbourne in September 2017.[4][5]

Background and promotion

Mess was recorded in September 2017, over three weeks, with the band working six-day weeks, then flying out to play live on weekends.[5] In late January 2018, the band released a new single, "Mess".[1] The single premiered on Triple J's show Good Nights, where the band announced it as the title track of their upcoming second album, and also announced an upcoming national tour to support the release of the album.[6]

In March 2018, the band released "Happy", the second single from the album, which features guest vocals from Camp Cope vocalist/guitarist Georgia "Maq" McDonald.[7]

On 13 April 2018, The Hard Aches released Mess, their second album.[8] The band kicked off their album tour the same day Mess released, performing seven shows nationally.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Beat Magazine8.5/10[10]
Hysteria Magazine6/10[11]

The album received positive reviews. The AU Review gave the album a positive review and said it was "a career-defining effort from The Hard Aches."[9] Kill Your Stereo praised the album, describing it as an: "utter belter of a record, the kind of killer album that I have been hoping The Hard Aches would make for a long while now".[12] Beat Magazine gave the album a positive review and said: "shining with raw honesty, The Hard Aches prove that they’ve found their unique rhythm."[10] In another positive review, Upside Adelaide wrote, "This is an album that will make you feel something, but it will also sweep you up and have you singing along."[13] Hysteria Magazine were less enthused, stating "The Hard Aches deliver in skillful songwriting but their minimal instrumentation doesn’t quite satisfy".[11]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from BandCamp.[3]

No.TitleLength
1."Mess"3:48
2."Get Outta My House"3:16
3."Happy"3:02
4."Friendship"2:59
5."Warm Blooded"3:02
6."Terrible Things"3:07
7."Outline"2:22
8."Grinding My Teeth"2:33
9."I Feel Like I'm Dying"2:20
10."On The Mend"2:11
11."Kat's Song III"3:31
12."Family"4:20
Total length:36:31

Personnel

The Hard Aches
  • Ben David – lead vocals, guitar
  • Alex Upton – drums
Additional musicians
  • Georgia McDonald – guest vocals on "Happy" and "Family"
  • Jeff Rosenstock – guest vocals on "Friendship"
  • Craig Selak (formerly of The Bennies) – guest vocals on "Outline"
  • Sam Johnson – guest vocals on "Terrible Things"
  • Dougie Rankin – trombone on "I Feel Like I'm Dying" and "Family"
Production
Design
  • Annie Walter – artwork
  • Jay Wennington – photography
  • Matt Walter – photography

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[14] 36

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
Australia 13 April 2018 Anchorhead Records CD, digital download, streaming ANC028C
LP ANC028V

References

  1. 1 2 "Mess – Single". 31 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023 – via Apple Music.
  2. ↑ "Happy – Single". 26 March 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2023 – via Apple Music.
  3. 1 2 "Mess". Bandcamp. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. ↑ The Hard Aches; second album on Facebook
  5. 1 2 Snowdon-Smith, Zachary (11 April 2018). "The Hard Aches: using rock to shine a light on mental health". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  6. ↑ Scott, Spencer (31 January 2018). "The Hard Aches Announce New Album & National Tour". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Newstead, Al (18 February 2019). "First Spin: The Hard Aches team up with Georgia from Camp Cope on the gutsy 'Happy'". Triple J. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Cann, Kay (14 April 2018). "The Hard Aches Hit The Gov Tonight With Brand New Mess". Upside Adelaide. WordPress.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. 1 2 Fuamoli, Sosefina (10 April 2018). "Interview: The Hard Aches' Mess is more than a rock album, it's a conversation starter". The AU Review. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 "The Hard Aches : Mess". Beat Magazine. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  11. 1 2 Jaramillo, Daniel (8 April 2018). "The Hard Aches Mess". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Hard Aches / Mess". Kill Your Stereo. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  13. ↑ Trainor, Matthew (14 April 2018). "Album Review: The Hard Aches – Mess". Upside Adelaide. WordPress.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "Gurrumul takes out posthumous #1 album". ARIA. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
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