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Review: Stalefish - It's All Down Here from Hill

I can't believe it's not 1997

Related Listening

Posted on 2025-05-14

I’ve had this review on the back burner for a while, so I’m just gonna publish it. Perfect is the enemy of done, yeah?

I’ve had this album on constant rotation since I first heard Becoming The Square a few weeks ago. It really hits. It’s got a great vintage 90’s indie rock sound (I mean, even ending with a Built To Spill cover), the production is great, and the songwriting is fantastic. With three vocalists, there’s a bit of range on the songs and it keeps everything feeling fresh. I enjoy how each vocalist has their own style and they work well together.

Highlights of the album:

  • Ipso Facto
  • The Conversation’s Over
  • Cut Around a Corner
  • The back half of Chia Pet
  • Becoming The Square
  • Any Way That You Cut It

I’m leaving Carry The Zero off the list, because it’s not an original, but the cover definitely cranks.

Some track highlights:

Ipso Facto

Starting off the album with a neat little riff and then dropping into a more noodly, groovy guitar line that’s reminiscent of Meat Puppets, this is a great opening track. The chorus is catchy and I find myself repeating “You think so, ipso facto, you are” in my head recently.

The Conversation’s Over

I love the chugging basswork and the vocal harmonies on this song. The riff on the bridge totally rocks. The little keyboard line during the chorus is so catchy.

Chia Pet

I think I originally wasn’t wild about this song, but it’s starting to grow on me, and I really love the back half of the song. We hit 2 minutes on this baby and there’s a sick little riff before the drums come back in and that takes us all the way to the end.

Becoming The Square

This was the first track I heard off of this album, I think it was a recommendation from “the algo”. Good job, algo! Kinda reminds me of Pavement, but in a way that I find less annoying? Anyway, great, catchy chorus and fun lyrics.

Carry The Zero (Built To Spill cover)

This was maybe my favorite song when I was in high school? 10/10 no notes.

Overall I’d say this is a great album by a new band that I hope to hear more from!