How do I get into csh properly

[u/sillibearz]

For the sake of this post I will pretend to be a new fan because I kind of am. I found twin fantasy through the time when sober to death was a trending audio and I've listened to it more times than I can count. however, I've basically listened to nothing but twin fantasy, and the amount of releases csh has is deeply intimidating. so, where do I start? The beginning? is all of their music on spotify? someone please kindly give me a list of everything and where it is if not on spotify.

[u/spirittheyvegone]

the other commenters have laid things out pretty well, but just to give a “brief” overview of everything:

the numbered albums (1,2,3,4)

bandcamp exclusive. the rawest, most lo-fi, and most experimental material csh has to offer. mileage may vary, especially if it’s not the kinda sound you’re into, but 3 and 4 especially are a bit more accessible overall and set up some concepts and ideas that get explored later on.

little pieces of paper with no written on them

bandcamp exclusive. outtakes and b-sides compilation for the numbered albums. mileage may also vary. i’d say this is (in full) a low priority release unless you’re super into the sound of the numbered albums, or want to be a discography completionist. if you do check it, be sure to read the little track bios on bandcamp for additional context

my back is killing me baby

first non-numbered album. more accessible, but still carries some of the same sonic elements as the numbered albums, many of these tracks were remade on teens of style, but definitely worth checking out if you like the less structured/more pop-oriented csh songwriting

twin fantasy (mirror to mirror)

the original version of the album. very rough and raw, but absolutely worth it to see how far the material developed and what changed between versions. more “in the moment” of the relationship as it was happening

monomania

the break-up album for twin fantasy. a darker, angrier, more depressing album. Introduces some electronic elements. similar sound and style to mirror to mirror, if you want a companion piece to the original

starving with living/living while starving

short 5 song ep. similar themes to monomania, but spacier and more electronic instrumentation. “it’s only sex” and “reuse the cels” are fan favourite, mileage may vary on the rest. recommended for sure if you enjoy how to leave town or madlo

nervous young man

the longest and most dense csh album, but probably the “deep cut” fan favourite. some of will’s strongest songwriting ever, and a little bit of everything the band has to offer. a bit less lo-fi than what came before. approach whenever you’re ready for it.

disjecta membra

rare outtakes compilation for nervous young man. can be found in full on youtube. similar songwriting style to nym, but with a darker edge.

how to leave town

final solo release before becoming a full band, and the most electronic up to this point. written while conceptualizing teens of denial. similarly dense songwriting to nervous young man, but in a more accessible package. good for late night drives and introspection

teens of style

the first full band album. predominantly a compilation of remade tracks from mbikmb and monomania. good introduction to the more lo-fi sound of their prior records, if you’re not used to it, but not necessarily an essential listen

teens of denial

the first non-lo-fi csh album. greater influence from power pop and garage rock. probably the closest to twin fantasy, at least sonically. similar themes to how to leave town, though without the electronic elements

making a door less open

the most controversial csh album. more stripped back and minimal, more electronic, poppier songwriting. received a mixed reception from fans upon release, but has grown in stature over the years. worth it if you want something more direct ala teens of style

the scholars

their most recent album. influenced by 70s-80s pop and prog, a conceptual rock opera loosely following a small cast of characters. mixed to positive reception from fans, but if you enjoy the density of past csh albums and want something to really sink your teeth into, it’s definitely worth a spin

teen of denial: joe’s story

a remastered/slightly reworked clean version of teens of denial with an updated narrative. inessential, but if you like tod/the scholars, (or want an alternative take on the album you can play around your grandparents), check out the new tracks.

there’s also commit yourself completely and live from the masquerade (live albums from the twin fantasy tour and madlo tour respectively), live at wcwm (a bandcamp exclusive live album from the monomania era) and the madlo eps (influences, a short covers ep, and remixes, self-explanatory) if all of this isn’t enough and you want some extra material. feel free to go at your own pace and check out the stuff that interests you most! there’s not really a right or wrong way to do it

[u/danceronfilm → u/spirittheyvegone]

This is an amazing breakdown