What makes Alarms in the Heart by Dry the River notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its lyrical depth and musical evolution. It peaked at number 24 on the UK Albums Chart, showcasing the band's growing popularity and reaching a wider audience than their debut. Alarms in the Heart is Dry the River's sophomore album, following their debut, Shallow Bed, which garnered significant acclaim in 2012. By this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the indie rock scene, aiming to build on their initial success while exploring deeper themes and more intricate musical arrangements.

How many songs are on Alarms in the Heart?

Alarms in the Heart has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Alarms in the Heart

Dry the River · 2014

45 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

A rich tapestry of emotive melodies and introspective lyrics set against a backdrop of layered instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Alarms in the Heart — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes of vulnerability and emotional struggle, opening with poignant instrumentation that sets the tone for the entire record.
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Everlasting Light — This track features soaring harmonies and anthemic choruses, representing the band's ability to blend introspective lyrics with uplifting melodies, making it a standout moment.
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Hope Diamond — Clocking in at over eleven minutes, this epic closer showcases dynamic shifts in instrumentation and emotional intensity, illustrating the band's ambitious songwriting approach.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and emotional depth but follows familiar indie rock structures.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features layered harmonies and builds to a crescendo, setting an emotive tone for the record.
Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts, such as 'Med School,' which transitions from soft verses to a powerful chorus.
The instrumentation often includes strings and layered guitars, creating a rich soundscape that supports the introspective lyrics throughout.
The final track, 'Hope Diamond,' concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Gethsemane

The verses shift from a reflective tone to a decisive proclamation about personal redemption.

This transition not only emphasizes the internal conflict but also marks a pivotal moment of resolution within the song’s narrative arc.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Alarms in the Heart 3:29
2 Hidden Hand 3:39
3 Roman Candle 3:52
4 Med School 3:40
5 It Was Love That Laid Us Low 3:40
6 Gethsemane 4:12
7 Rollerskate 3:22
8 Everlasting Light 3:16
9 Vessel 5:14
10 Hope Diamond 11:06

What to play next

Listen next

Hooves of Doubt

2015

Go back to

Shallow Bed

2012

Full Dry the River discography Artists like Dry the River

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata