Released 10 years ago
A Coliseum Complex Museum
The Besnard Lakes · 2016
38 min · 8 tracks · indie rock
A sprawling soundscape of atmospheric layers and intricate melodies, blending indie rock with dream-pop textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Golden Lion — This track encapsulates the album's blend of rich harmonies and intricate instrumentation, showcasing the band's ability to create an immersive listening experience.
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Necronomicon — With its haunting melodies and evocative lyrics, this song stands out for its exploration of darker themes while maintaining a melodic sensibility characteristic of the band.
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Towers Sent Her to Sheets of Sound — This track exemplifies the album's lush soundscapes and dynamic shifts, offering a profound listening journey that mirrors the complexity of its narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's expansive sound and intricate melodies create a rich listening experience, though it may not stand out significantly in the broader music landscape.
What we noticed
- The album features long, atmospheric tracks that often exceed six minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and layered instrumentation.
- Vocals are frequently harmonized, creating a lush soundscape that blends seamlessly with the instrumental arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in dynamics, with quieter passages leading into more intense climaxes, enhancing emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with immersive flow
- ethereal harmonies for introspective moments
- lush soundscapes for deep listening
- consistent peaks and valleys
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
- seek high-energy, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 22, 2016, A Coliseum Complex Museum is The Besnard Lakes' fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Until in Excess, Imperceptible UFO from 2013. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their distinct sonic identity while continuing to explore ambitious musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Godspeed You! Black Emperor· Sigur Rós· Explosions in the Sky
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Bray Road Beast 5:30
- 2 Golden Lion 3:48
- 3 Pressure of Our Plans 5:21
- 4 Towers Sent Her to Sheets of Sound 4:28
- 5 The Plain Moon 4:26
- 6 Necronomicon 3:40
- 7 Nightingale 5:08
- 8 Tungsten 4 - The Refugee 6:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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