RECORD REVIEW: THE ANTLERS

RECORD REVIEW: THE ANTLERS - BURST APART

Reviews

Sunday, 22 May 2011 00:23

JPG

Two years ago The Antlers released what was in my opinion, one of the best albums of the year. Hospice contained ten tracks that were woven together to create something completely original with a cathartic quality you don't experience every day. The songwriting and vocals of Peter Silberman seemed to reach out, poetic lines left lingering with you long after the LP has finished playing, "And all the while I'll know we're fucked and not getting unfucked soon, When we get home we're bigger strangers than we've ever been before, you sit in front of snowy television, suitcase on the floor..." the tension is palpable throughout. Burst Apart is a fitting title for this fourth album from the Brooklyn boys, (Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci make up the trio), as we step away from the concept and narrative themes of its predecessor. Here the tracks are varied and carry their own strengths, a new direction altogether while retaining the emotional clarity so evident on Hospice.

'I Don't Want Love' eases us in slowly as the ethereal opener, a melancholy track but hints of pop are there, in a song that immediately showcases Silberman's outstanding vocal abilities. The dark edge is still present, "If I see you again, desperate and stoned, keep your prison locked up, and I will leave my gun at home", a link to Hospice can be drawn here, but the relationship in this story sees the protagonist cutting and running, instead of suffering. Lead single from Burst Apart, 'Parentheses' has Radiohead-esque electro percussion running through offset with distorted electric guitar and rushes of energy amongst the falsetto vocals.

'Rolled Together' begins light and airy, a sparse landscape with one line repeated through the song, it's one of the most ambient moments found here. It gently rolls into 'Every Night My Teeth are Falling Out', the build up from the sweet opening leading to a crescendo ending. 'Tip Toe', a meditative instrumental, serves as a breather before the beautiful 'Hounds' where synths, slow percussion and brass gel together with vocals creating a tenderness The Antlers do so well. 'Corsicana' is another minimalist wonder, wispy and laden with synths and crystalline vocals, it drifts away to a void. The closer is one of the strongest songs to found on Burst Apart, 'Putting The Dog To Sleep', more poetry in motion "Well my trust in you, is a dog with a broken leg, tendons too torn to beg for you to let me back in". The lyrical skill of Silberman is evident across all the work here, raw honesty, brutal at times, teamed up with the delivery is what make The Antlers so special to the multitude of fans they have aquired. Since originally self-releasing Hospice two years ago as a full band, and beginning with Uprooted in 2006 as a solo project by Slberman, they have created a niche which Burst Apart has helped to cement their ownership of.

The confidence found on this album is clear, while having no over-arching theme the songs stand on their own merits. After a few listens you have a feeling that this is in fact Hospice's opposite. The mood may at times be similar but it doesn't come over as a eulogy, rather it speaks of the sunburst after the storm. The cover art seems ideal, a burst of energy through the darkness which is exactly what this album is.

Dave Roberts - May 22, 2010

*The Antlers are currently touring North America, having played sold out shows at the Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg before heading over to Europe where they have added more dates. You can check out all the info at their website below.

The Antlers Official Site

Putting The Dog To Sleep

The Antlers (USA)

From the album, 'Burst Apart', Frenchkiss

Download here

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