Gossamer

Passion Pit | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 20, 2012
• Label: Columbia
• Copyright: (P) 2012 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 47:28
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B008JIFJ4W
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rad October 31, 2012

By Jeremy Thornhill

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Michael Angelakos is a fascinating individual. Shortly after I purchased this album, I heard an interview with him on Sound Opinions, and I was kind of blown away with his honesty. Jim and Greg talk to him *at length* about his bipolar disorder and how his mental health issues had dominated his life in recent years.

One of the things that's easy to overlook about this album (and Passion Pit in general) is the striking contrast between the sound and the lyrics: the tempo is upbeat, the sound is chipper, the hooks massive - but underneath it all, the lyrics are stark and deeply depressing at times. Passion Pit music feels like an embodiment of Angelakos's own self-described experiences, with echoes of lyrical despair thinly veiled behind a layer of exuberant sound.

Let's back up: "Gossamer" is "pop," with a huge dose of electronics thrown in for good measure. This describes a lot of music these days, but even discarding the lyrics, Angelakos injects layers of sound that elevate Passion Pit beyond the standard fare you're likely to hear on Clearchannel. The sound: huge! The hooks: killer! But, as Angelakos says, Passion Pit songs take the "long way" to get there, and the payoff is all the greater for it.

Bottom line: Passion Pit is simply incredible. And this album is simply incredible. Buy it.

41 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Warped, Light Weight Vinyl July 26, 2012

By R. Daming

Format:Vinyl

Warning for vinyl lovers! The album is really really good. The artwork and packaging is also excellent. Unfortunately, the vinyl is thin and flimsy. My copy is severely warped. The tone arm goes up and down constantly with a good 1/3"-1/2" vertical movement. I got so annoyed that I got out my kitchen scale to weigh the vinyl. 128 grams. This is unacceptable for an album that costs over $25. You might want to consider just getting the CD or buying the MP3s. I wish I had.

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I just don't get it August 23, 2012

By Ethan B.

Format:Audio CD

I loved Passion Pit's first album, Manners. LOVED it. It only took one listen for me to love every song. After a while, though, I forced myself to pull away from it to check out this album which has been receiving rave reviews from nearly everywhere. It's just disappointing, that's all.

This album isn't BAD. It just pales in comparison to Manners..in my opinion, anyway. Not nearly as many hooks, better production but sometimes it's overkill, sound that makes room for fresher hooks that don't ever arrive. I don't know. It's not the mood of the album that's putting me off, it's the songs. People are bloody RAVING for this CD and I just don't see what all the fuss is about. It's not that great. There are some highlights, though: "Mirrored Sea" blew me away, "Carried Away" is undeniably catchy, "Constant Conversations" does live up to the hype, and "I'll be Alright" is a good listen if you can handle all the bleeps and such. The little "Two Veils to Hide My Face" song is also worth checking out!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a 1/4 as good as Manners. October 16, 2012

By Amy J. Canaday

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love manners. This doesn't come close to the magic that that album holds. A lot of these reviews are just fans blinded by faith. The album seems forced, whereas Manners was flowing and flawless.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth the Wait September 10, 2012

By John Dye

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I picked up a used copy of Passion Pit's first CD "Manners" on a whim -- the rainbow-ribbon cover looked intriguing, thought I'd give it a shot. Loved just about everything about it, including (if not especially) the two surprisingly chill acoustic renditions. Also hugely enjoy "Little Secrets." Only down side to "Manners" was singer's falsetto could be a little thin & grating on the aural nerves at times. In any case, I've been eagerly awaiting "Gossamer" for a long time, knew it would be amped up based on hearing "Take a Walk" on local radio.

Man, I thought "Manners" was thick & heavy in the synth department, but "Gossamer" often goes for all-out wall of electronica, rivaling M83 for "most heavily layered multi-mega-tracked synth bomb" or something like that. Been listening regularly for a couple months now, wavered back & forth between 4 & 5 stars. 4 stars would be attributable to catchy but vacuous pop tracks like "Carried Away" and "Hideaway" -- a little too reminiscent of Lightning Seeds, maybe played at 45 RPM when it should be 33. Also could have used a few stripped-down acoustic versions such as grace "Manners," but alas, "Gossamer" is a bit too dedicated to being LOUD and UP.

But I had to go 5 stars based primarily on the lyrical & musical triumph "Take a Walk," the goofy/groovy retro-70s grind and catchy chorus of "Cry Like a Ghost," and the undeniable strength of the last 3 tracks, which rival any back-to-back-to-back triple shot you'll ever hear on any synth album ever. "Love is Greed" is so happy & boppy & joyously backgrounded with female choral vocals that you'll almost miss the surprisingly melancholy lyrics.

"Where We Belong" is the perfect coda to an album that is a most curious fusion of lyrical ambivalence and musical transcendence....

"It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy" is the closest thing I've got to a personal anthem right now. Can't get enough of the shimmering keyboard washes and driving bass. The singer (mostly) checks his falsetto at the door and is content to whisper-vocalize, except for the bridge, which he seems to cede to the background ladies, and the rousing chorus, where he harmonizes with them. Musical brilliance, well done!

It's not fair, it's not fair -- still I'm the only one who seems to care... Read more ›

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Delicate Songwriting and Big, Big Choruses July 24, 2012

By T. A. Daniel TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:MP3 Music

Passion Pit's sophomore album, GOSSAMER, won't let fans down. In fact, this album is in many ways, better than its predecessor, MANNERS. It's a more consistent record, and in GOSSAMER, Passion Pit isn't afraid to reach for pop-status or radio-friendly alternative. Even though the production of GOSSAMER has been shrouded with stories about Michael Angelakos' mental health issues (a link will be provided in the comments of this review to those that are interested), the album rarely seems troubled. Fans of the band will be excited to find that the band has expanded its songwriting craft: the emotions are more present here, the choruses bigger, and the production more streamlined. Passion Pit's second album is pretty accessible, but it only grows better with repeated listens.

The album begins with its propulsive lead single, "Take a Walk." It's a socially-conscious and introspective song, but what it carries in thematic heft (it's probably the only song I've ever heard on the radio to talk about foreclosures and pension funds), it also provides in enduring melody. The band's refrain during the chorus ("take a walk, take a walk.") aren't just echos of the lead vocals -- they're meant as instructions/reminders to the public at large. The album slows for "Constant Conversations," which serves as a pretty divisive track; the spacey R&B is complimented by the Swedish acapella group Erato. The song serves not only as a departure in terms of tone and rhythm, but also one of style.... The next song, "Mirrored Sea" brings GOSSAMER back into Passion Pit's wheelhouse - it's a track with a soaring, atmospheric chorus that sticks with listeners long after it's over. Following up "Mirrored Sea" is "Cry Like a Ghost," another slower song, but its groove carries the song much better than "Constant Conversations." "Two Veils to Hide My Face" is an acapella arrangement that is pretty, but short (33 seconds) - it feels less like a song and more like an introduction to "Love is Greed." The closing "Where We Belong" begins drenched in fluttering synthesizers and ends in a cathartic refrain. It's a beautiful closer to the album.

Because many of these songs are layered with a glossy production, it takes repeated listens to pick up on all of the nuance that exist in each of these tracks. Fans of M83, Grouplove, or The Naked and Famous ought to love GOSSAMER. Fans of the band's MANNERS should definitely check on this release, but if you've never even heard of the band, this album is still a great place to start listening. Standout songs to sample/download: "Take A Walk," "Mirrored Sea," and "I'll Be Alright."

(additional release information)
The iTunes edition of GOSSAMER includes a bonus track: "American Blood." Read more ›