The Antlers have amassed a quiet following of fans for themselves. Quiet being the important word. Looking at their myspace page, I noticed they have shows lined up throughout the US & UK all the way into November. As a rule of thumb I try not to compare bands and albums to anyone, and it is very easy NOT to do that with these guys. Their second album, Hospice, is one of the most unique pieces of work I've heard. Ever. Their combination of delicate lyrics & the slow but intense movement of music is the source of this exclusive sound.
They make use of quite a wide array of instruments: voice, harmonica, harp, accordian, keys, drums, random percussion, trumpet, bowed banjo, bass guitar, and guitar. There are only 4 people in this band. I want to watch them live so I can time-them on how long it will take to unload just the instruments.
At first glance, you might look at the list of instruments and assume that they are some sort of blue-grass band. However, this album is far from that. From my understanding, Peter Silberman, the main singer and song writer, is the force behind this project. Isolation, death, unhappy relations: It all seems to add up to one depressing scream fest of content. Silberman doesn't do this though. He slowly guides us through an impressive story with accompaniments of trumpets, weird sounds, and strangely intense rhythms that strike like a cat and strike hard. Then this cat slowly leaves you alone for a while to let you think about what it has done to you.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I listened to it alone in my car driving to and from New Orleans, and I'm glad I listened to it this way. It was an album that needed to be appreciated alone. It plays like a refined cult classic movie. The way the tempo only picked up on tracks 5 & 7 was amazing. Because the entire band is very talented, and being able to play their instruments slowly so well is amazing. Then when you least expect it they turn a corner and take the listener through a more climactic part of their album, such as in "Bear" and "Two."
The entire album was written & sung by Silberman. I don't know if he drew his lyrics from personal experience, but it doesn't matter. If it is a work of fiction, it's so well written you will believe it's true. I'd consider this work of art a concept album dedicated to dying. So if you do listen to it, realize there is a reason for every sound and beat that The Antlers throw at you.
-Cory Vogel
I haven't heard this album, but I definitely don't agree with Pitchfork's take on any album. They dismiss so much good stuff and gush over albums that either sound like 4 other bands or have a foreign girl playing the scissors in them. Not that that has anything to do with this blog other than to tell you that I've been reading it, but with that link to pitchfork frowning at me on the bottom of the blog, I was hoping to find a different take on albums other than what they have.
ReplyDeleteAnd in regards to Blake's tea commentary: I thought beer was the second most consumed beverage in the world? Perhaps it's just the U.S. It makes me feel better to know that it's tea, for some reason. And if you ask at Highland, there's a list of teas and which ones are good with milk and which ones aren't. It's very helpful, in case you're interested in branching out more.
-jade.
Thanks Jade.
ReplyDeleteI actually just started reading Pitchfork about a week ago, and I'm still exploring their site. I just thought I'd link it for kicks.
I have to agree with you on not liking some of their reviews though; they have an end-all-be-all opinion about things. As if their opinion is the final statement on the matter. I don't like that kind of attitude in music.
But their site is so fucking diverse. It's easy to avoid their opinions.
-Cory
Jade-
ReplyDeleteI looked it up on Wikipedia and I think beer is the 3rd most consumed beverage. It almost tickled me to find tea second. Now whenever i drink it I'm I feel like I'm participating in some worldwide ritual. Haha. Anyway, that's nice to know about highland and the milk-list. I'll have to ask for it sometime.
-blake
this album did not stick out to me upon my first listen, but i went back after i read your review, cory. i have to admit i really like this album now. i wish i had a car so i could listen to it while driving, haha.
ReplyDeletei agree with you about the slow but intense movement of the music. everything about this album is so deliberate. they may have a lot of instruments but they know when to use them to their best effect. and i think the album is arranged really well--they do a good job changing up the tempos of the different songs, making the album as a whole a really interesting listen. and the singer sounds so earnest (both in the lyrics and his general sound). i don't know what he's selling, but i'll take two! ;)
seriously, thanks for reviewing this album. i wouldn't have given it a chance without you!