Albums to watch

On The Water

Future Islands

On The Water

Third album of synthpop / new wave from the Baltimore trio

ADM rating[?]

7.6

Label
Thrill Jockey
UK Release date
10/10/2011
US Release date
11/10/2011
  1. 9.1 |   A.V. Club

    A cryptic confessional, Herring’s own song-by-song exorcism of haunted thoughts and occupied memories
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  2. 9.0 |   PopMatters

    If the record was inspired by loss, we’ve gained something rich and affirming through that process
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  3. 9.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    They've paced themselves, slowed down the tempos, and left room for ambience, such that the album's fevered points hit much more poignantly
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  4. 8.9 |   Paste Magazine

    Gorgeous and personal, the band has delivered a record that is not only the product of years of trial and error, but also the rarity of a truly talented storyteller
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  5. 8.5 |   The Quietus

    Otherwise generic lines like "There are the moments that we save / And the dreams that fade away", as which opens the album, have a way of touching a place no other singer can
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  6. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    An accomplished, beautiful record from the Baltimore three piece, and one which we’ll be listening to for a long time to come, without a doubt
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  7. 8.0 |   State

    Stunning, accomplished stuff, with real heart. An album of the year
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  8. 8.0 |   Prefix

    Water is leagues more mature than last year's In Evening Air - the production more robust, the lyrics more evocative of people who've been around long enough to know what's worth lamenting
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  9. 8.0 |   Q

    It's all a little hard to swallow at first, but ultimately quite remarkable. Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Romantic synths, oriental flushes and an air of softness from where Samuel T Herring’s baying vocal soar
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  11. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Their dreamy, romantic and melancholy music is the perfect accompaniment to hope
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  12. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    One of the most unconventionally beautiful records of the year
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  13. 7.7 |   Pitchfork

    It's less intent on bringing the drama or the fury than In Evening Air was, but its reflections on aging and memory accumulate into something surprisingly moving
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  14. 7.0 |   Beats Per Minute

    This is one of those ‘song’ albums; it’s hard to listen throughout but as individual songs, they hold up well as strong material
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  15. 7.0 |   Bowlegs

    Future Islands latest is, at times, a magnificent ode to love, time and despair, told via programmed electronics, retro guitars, and, of course, a very unique storyteller
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  16. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    Raising the songwriting and production stakes, while retaining the sonic signatures so recognizable as Future Islands
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  17. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    They’re still steadily improving on their basic sound. Not by leaps and bounds, but in a satisfyingly quiet way
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  18. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Overall, this is a great effort ... there's not much to knock in a cracking example of that rare phenomenon - listenable concept art
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  19. 6.0 |   Mojo

    The results are affecting and not dissimilar to Eno, Talk Talk and the earliest days of New order. Print edition only

  20. 6.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Superficially the album might seem more serious and mature, but in reality the album offers little artistic or musical progress
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  21. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Unconventionally earnest, often doing for the New Romantics what Gayngs did for 10cc Print edition only

  22. 6.0 |   NME

    Not everyone will have the patience for 10 variations on a narrow theme. Print edition only


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