The Antlers – Burst Apart LP

October 18, 2011

Being late to the party is where it’s at.

Unfortunately, I’m so late to The Antlers‘ party that everybody’s gone home or passed out and all that’s left is a carpet of empty bottles.

Better late than never though. I love a new discovery, even if it’s only new for me.

Partly my tardiness is because Burst Apart isn’t a record which makes complete sense straight away. It takes a few listens and I’m still getting under it’s skin. What is apparent on the first listen though, is that it’s one which deserves having some time devoted to it.

This appears to be Brooklyn-based The Antlers’ fourth studio LP, following 2009′s desperately sad Hospice LP, which made it onto all those Album of the Year lists and which means you probably all know them already. If you don’t though, it’s your lucky day, here’s a band with substance that you can really fall in love with.

Let’s get started, here’s the album’s opener; I Don’t Want Love:

Like that? Oh boy, of course you do. How about Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out?:

They’re not a straightforward band, The Antlers, they’re complex, and I like complex bands. I think I’m really falling for them.

Burst Apart is full of melancholy, graceful and tender melodies. The band evoke proper depth of feeling with every song, through the little details, so whether it’s the subtle organ in No Widows or the understated trumpet and female vocal refrain towards the end of Hounds, each song has something which grabs you. It’s such a restrained record, and so retains a delicate beauty which is rare these days.

There are shades of Elbow, hints of The Dears, but The Antlers are writing songs both those bands would dream of calling their own.

Ok let’s have one more shall we? This is French Exit:

I hope you’ve enjoyed those as much as me. Burst Apart is out now on Frenchkiss Records. Come and join the party.

Tags: Burst Apart, The Antlers