Customer Reviews

In the Attic of the Universe

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"In the Attic of the Universe" is a superb title for this obscure pop gem. I got the remastered and cool special digipack version from Fall Records and couldn't be more pleased to own this. I own over 10,000 CD's ( and used to own over 6,000 vinyl albums ) so now you might start guessing my age. I have played drumkit and a large variety of percussion, as well as keyboards for over 40 years, and now I am a music teacher. I am also a session drummer and own my own recording studio, where I have toiled for many years at making my next recording. After spending my entire life collecting great music from all over the world, and having had the pleasure of hearing the greatest music ever recorded for the last 40 yrs, I am still delighted to find gems like this Antlers recording. It proves that hidden gems will keep popping up, even if the mass audience never knows about them, or cares to find them. I listened to this "In the Attic of the Universe CD 3 times in a row as it just had me hooked. And when I got to song #3 "On The Roof" it literally blew me away! THERE IT WAS... just as gorgeous and huge as those climatic crescendo chorus's of Sigur Ros. This CD has mellow dream songs, with mystery sounds and those fine avant touches of psychedelic nuances, all blended with this melodic pop know how1. And also some giant beauties that just fall into place. It's for the music lovers that love the cerebral mixed with their dreamy pop with a good dose of the esoteric and an occasional lift to the sky with gigantic wall of sound songs aka Explosions In The Sky/Sigur Ros/Saxon Shore/God Is An Astronaut. Not at all hard to listen to... JUST the opposite. It is pleasant and both eargasmic in it's musical virtuosity. I wish for more independant artists like this to surface. I for one am all smiles for this release. To the moon!!!!!!!!!!

In The Attic is a great middle of the night record, which means not everyone will understand it. I love to listen to it when I'm awake at night mulling over my thoughts, it was well worth buying it. I love his unique voice and lyrics, as well as the beautiful, subtle instrumentation. The record has a quiet grandeur to it, profound, melodic and cohesive. It's not made to be background music, if that's what you're looking for, you might be disappointed. If you give it your full attention all through the record, you will be rewarded with a profoundly enjoyable experience. Anyway, give it a chance, and see if it appeals to ypur music tastes.

The Antlers don't really write songs so much as sweeps. Leadoff "In the Attic" spends about half its running time on a walk (literally) with the occasional pluck of an acoutic guitar. Then the song begins, and before it actually forms itself complete, it moves on to "Look!" an unnecessary interlude. Then we think that a song is on the way after "Look!" breaks down midway into frazzled, high volume operatics, but then simply collapses into "On the Roof." That one goes nowhere, and follows the earlier pattern, before dying with all the drama of a Wayans brothers movie. "Shh!" dawdles and hums along and again...halfway point...does something else, though apt to the song name it never gets very loud. Finally, mercifully, they give us "The Universe Is Going to Catch You," a seemingly unholy hybrid of Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene and Bright Eyes. It's a song that actually works...before abruptly crashing into another waste of time called "The Carrying Arms." Then it whimpers its way through about four more minutes of boredom to get to the decent but unremarkable closer, "Stair to the Attic," another *gasp* real song.

If this all seems harsh, blame it on the throes of disenchantment. Early word was strong on this one. And I tried to like it...I even let it pass by on first listen and played it again, louder, so its hidden perks could sink in. Other than parts of the bookends and "Universe," nothing is worthwhile. It's like a really drawn out three song EP that wastes time reaching for some profound musical statement. For "Universe," it might be worthwhile for indie fans to seek it out (it was free and legal online when I heard it), but I suspect most will just keep the three listenable songs and trash the rest. But then again, there were those early raves, so maybe that scene is just too easily impressed by anything that doesn't sound like the junk on mainstream radio. Ok...ok..."Attic" is better than most of the junk on the radio. Happy?

Best cuts: "The Universe Is Going to Catch You," "In the Attic"