And the Glass Handed Kites
Mew · 2005
54 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with intricate melodies, creating a surreal journey through alternative rock's dreamier avenues.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Zookeeper’s Boy — This track features lush harmonies and an expansive arrangement that encapsulates the album's blend of whimsy and introspection, making it a standout single.
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Apocalypso — With its driving rhythm and vibrant instrumentation, this track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse energetic melodies with thought-provoking lyrics.
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White Lips Kissed — The atmospheric build-up and haunting vocals create an emotional climax that resonates deeply, showcasing Mew's knack for creating immersive auditory experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Mew's intricate melodies and ethereal soundscapes create a distinctive and immersive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half introduces more complex arrangements and layered instrumentation.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Saviours of Jazz Ballet / Fear Me, December', which shifts from a serene melody to a frenetic climax.
- The use of ethereal vocal harmonies is prominent throughout, often overlapping and creating a dreamlike quality that enhances the surreal atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2005, And the Glass Handed Kites is Mew's third studio album, following the critical success of Frengers. At this point in their career, Mew was solidifying their unique sound that blends post-rock and pop sensibilities, gaining a dedicated international following.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Postal Service· Sigur Rós· Radiohead
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Circuitry of the Wolf 2:44
- 2 Chinaberry Tree 3:33
- 3 Why Are You Looking Grave? 3:50
- 4 Fox Cub 1:15
- 5 Apocalypso 4:46
- 6 Special 3:13
- 7 The Zookeeper’s Boy 4:43
- 8 A Dark Design 3:29
- 9 Saviours of Jazz Ballet / Fear Me, December 3:18
- 10 An Envoy to the Open Fields 3:40
- 11 Small Ambulance 1:05
- 12 The Seething Rain Weeps for You / Uda Pruda 4:18
- 13 White Lips Kissed 6:44
- 14 Louise Louisa 7:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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