Burst Apart
Encyclopedia
Burst Apart is the fourth studio album
by American
indie rock
group The Antlers
. It was released on Frenchkiss Records
on May 10th, 2011 and the day before in the UK / Japan / Europe by Transgressive Records
. It began streaming on the National Public Radio website on April 24, 2011. The cover art was designed by Zan Goodman, who also designed the album cover for their previous album, Hospice.
The track "Parentheses" was released as an iTunes single on April 5, 2011.
, indicating "universal acclaim." Most critics have noted the contrast between Burst Apart and its predecessor Hospice, a highly conceptual album about a hospice worker who falls in love with a dying patient. Among the most enthusiastic reviews was that of Delusions of Adequacy, which called it "exclusively incredible," "downright astonishing," and "every bit just as breathtaking" as Hospice. Pitchfork Media
gave the album an 8.2 rating and endorsed it with its "Best New Music" label; reviewer Ian Cohen remarked that although Burst Apart could not achieve the cult-like following of Hospice, it is "still tethered to a magnanimity and expressive clarity that makes it almost every bit as devastating." Jeremy Aaron of AbsolutePunk said that while the record "marks a move away from the stifling bleakness" of Hospice, it is still "an incredible sounding album," composed with "breathtaking elegance." The Mud Doctor said in his review for VZ Magazine that in comparison to Hospice
, "while the two albums are worlds apart, Burst Apart stands its ground against its legendary predecessor, and manages to be its equal." Marc Hawthorne of The AV Club likewise commented on the difference, writing that Hospice "bummed everyone out--in the best possible way," but that The Antlers were able to create a followup that "easily reaches grand, dramatic heights even while remaining relatively subdued."
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
group The Antlers
The Antlers (band)
The Antlers are an indie rock band currently based in Brooklyn, New York, fronted by Peter Silberman.-History:Initially, The Antlers was a solo project created by vocalist and guitarist Peter Silberman immediately after he had moved to Brooklyn, New York. Silberman wrote the first two albums,...
. It was released on Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records is an independent record label based in New York, New York. The label was started in 1999 by Syd Butler, bassist and founder of Les Savy Fav...
on May 10th, 2011 and the day before in the UK / Japan / Europe by Transgressive Records
Transgressive Records
Transgressive Records is an independent record label based in London, England formed in 2004. Founders Tim Dellow, and Toby L first met at a Bloc Party gig organised by Toby's rockfeedback website. The first release on the label was 1am by The Subways, released in September 2004...
. It began streaming on the National Public Radio website on April 24, 2011. The cover art was designed by Zan Goodman, who also designed the album cover for their previous album, Hospice.
The track "Parentheses" was released as an iTunes single on April 5, 2011.
Track listing
Reception
Upon its release, Burst Apart received positive reviews from most critics. As of June 23, 2011, it has garnered a score of 81 from review aggregate website MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, indicating "universal acclaim." Most critics have noted the contrast between Burst Apart and its predecessor Hospice, a highly conceptual album about a hospice worker who falls in love with a dying patient. Among the most enthusiastic reviews was that of Delusions of Adequacy, which called it "exclusively incredible," "downright astonishing," and "every bit just as breathtaking" as Hospice. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
gave the album an 8.2 rating and endorsed it with its "Best New Music" label; reviewer Ian Cohen remarked that although Burst Apart could not achieve the cult-like following of Hospice, it is "still tethered to a magnanimity and expressive clarity that makes it almost every bit as devastating." Jeremy Aaron of AbsolutePunk said that while the record "marks a move away from the stifling bleakness" of Hospice, it is still "an incredible sounding album," composed with "breathtaking elegance." The Mud Doctor said in his review for VZ Magazine that in comparison to Hospice
Hospice (album)
Hospice is the critically acclaimed third studio album by American indie rock group The Antlers, and their first concept album. It was initially self-distributed by the band in March 2009, and was eventually remastered and re-released once they signed to Frenchkiss Records in August.Hospice tells...
, "while the two albums are worlds apart, Burst Apart stands its ground against its legendary predecessor, and manages to be its equal." Marc Hawthorne of The AV Club likewise commented on the difference, writing that Hospice "bummed everyone out--in the best possible way," but that The Antlers were able to create a followup that "easily reaches grand, dramatic heights even while remaining relatively subdued."
Credits
- Peter Silberman: Vocals, lyrics, guitar, mandolin, organ
- Darby Cicci: Synthesizers, electric pianos, organ, bass, vocals, trumpet, banjo
- Michael Lerner: Drums, percussion
- Engineered by Darby Cicci
- Mixed by The Antlers and Dan Seiders
- Mastered by Greg Calbi, Sterling Sound
- Cover design by Zan Goodman
- Cover photo by Justin Hollar
- Additional Design by Zan Goodman, Darby Cicci