03/04/12: The Antlers - In The Attic of the Universe (2007)

03/04/12: The Antlers - In The Attic of the Universe (2007)

1. In the Attic
2. Look!
3. On the Roof
4. Shh!
5. The Universe is Going to Catch You
6. The Carrying Arms
7. In the Snow
8. Stairs to the Attic

     The Antlers I guess would just be an Indie or Alternative rock band. This is The Antlers 2nd album and was recorded basically as a solo album by the lead singer and guitarist Peter Silberman. He recruited a band after this and released their last 2 albums since "In The Attic..." as a group. I would describe their sound as dreamy and mellow. His lyrics are poetic and fit with his falsetto singing style perfectly. Silberman seems to always be writing sad songs, but theirs a strange sense of victory in many of his songs anyways. I had listened to their 2 more recent full lengths quite a few times and really enjoyed them and decided that I needed to check out his older "solo" stuff ASAP. This album could almost be considered an EP length wise but was still a very solid listen. It sounds like their later stuff only a bit more stripped down.
     I enjoy his voice and the way he composes his songs. This album has a structure of a full song built around a simple acoustic riff that he fleshes out with basic drums, programming, keyboards, and stranger touches like the harmonica and accordion. He fills in the gaps with very moody but beautiful instrumental interludes. Adding the other band members and instruments definitely added a lot to Silberman's songs but on that same note, he wrote and recorded some really solid songs on his own and his style he created on his own carried over to a full band style very well. One of the cooler things I have to note is the occurrence of a melody and small song part that actually gets much more fleshed out and basiclaly returns on their next album "Hospice" 3 years later. I always enjoy those hidden recurring themes when I'm enjoying a bands catalog. (064)