Learn to Lose was a
Cynics marketing tack -- more straightforward rock songs, fewer covers, more riffs than chords, and more vocal harmonies. As a result, the effort is less vigorous than previous records.
Learn to Lose is superbly crafted, with overdubbed guitar leads and percussion effects, but the energy level sounds more counterfeit and the songs are overproduced. Though songs like "How Could I" and "Pressure" hearken back to previous efforts of punked-out garage rock, others avoid any reference to R&B or folk, as the band settles for a dull hard rock approach. Although no band wants to be dubbed mere '60s revivalists, the group lost focus and tried too hard to be just another typical '90s rock band. ~ Matt Carlson