Record Review: The Antlers

The Antlers
Hospice
[2009, Frenhkiss]
3.5/4

I recently saw The Antlers perform at the Pitchfork Music Festival. It was one of the best sets of the weekend, and one of the best I've seen all year. If you haven't gotten this album yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.

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Read the full review at In Review Online. The more seemingly fictional or fantastic an album’s mythology, the greater chance it has of becoming inextricably entwined with the album itself. When Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago began receiving belated press in 2008 (despite initial release in 2007), nary a review surfaced that didn’t mention the conditions surrounding the album’s inception – Justin Vernon breaks from his band and a romantic relationship, sequesters himself within a cabin in rural Wisconsin, and writes an intimate, endearing song cycle. While I think that Vernon’s distraught, maybe even despairing mindset at the time explains how such a sad album can come to life, the music and lyrics are already so powerful that explaining the back-story might be doing Emma a disservice.
Well, this isn't a Bon Iver review, so if you want to read my thoughts, check the full review. Regardless, go get a copy of Hospice.

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The Antlers: Hospice

But something kept me standing by that hospital bed, I should have quit, but instead I took care of you. You made me sleep and uneven, and I didn't believe them when they told me there was no saving you.-"Kettering, or Bedside Manner"

The above comes from the new album from The Antlers, a band that I had no knowledge of until last week. Check the link, there's a whole lot of free music available, as well as the excellent new full-length. The album's been resonating with me quite a lot lately. It's a concept album of sorts, with a plot that's almost Grey's Anatomy-esque, but without any petty drama. Anyway, I highly recommend it. Absolutely haunting.
On a personal note... I never know when to give up. And it's dominating my thoughts these days.