Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Murder by Death · 2012
44 min · 13 tracks · indie rock
Haunting melodies intertwine with darkly poetic lyrics, creating an atmospheric journey through themes of longing and existential reflection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lost River — This track showcases the band's ability to blend melancholic instrumentation with vivid storytelling about loss and nostalgia, setting a tone for the entire album.
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Hard World — With its driving rhythm and reflective lyrics, this song encapsulates the struggle of navigating life's challenges while maintaining hope, resonating deeply with listeners.
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Queen Mab (Instrumental) — This instrumental piece serves as a haunting interlude that enhances the album's overall atmosphere, allowing listeners to reflect on the preceding themes before moving forward.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends atmospheric melodies with dynamic shifts, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, creating a rich soundscape that supports the lyrical themes.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in dynamics, with quieter verses building into more intense choruses, particularly evident in 'I Came Around' and 'Hard World.'
- The final three tracks slow down significantly, with 'Queen Mab' being an instrumental interlude that contrasts with the preceding songs.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- haunting stories of longing
- brief bursts of introspection
- evocative melodies for reflection
- cathartic release through narrative
- late-night contemplative listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced music
- seek upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 25, 2012, 'Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon' is Murder by Death's fifth studio album, following their acclaimed 'Good Morning, Magpie.' At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique blend of indie rock and Americana, pushing further into narrative-driven songwriting that characterized their evolving sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· Neutral Milk Hotel· Iron & Wine
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Came Around
The shift from first-person reflection to addressing another person creates an intimate moment of vulnerability amidst the song's exploration of regret.
This change in perspective deepens the emotional impact by directly engaging with another character, contrasting the personal narrative with shared experience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 My Hill 2:36
- 2 Lost River 4:24
- 3 Straight at the Sun 4:04
- 4 No Oath, No Spell 3:32
- 5 I Came Around 4:35
- 6 Hard World 3:37
- 7 Ditch Lilly 3:22
- 8 The Curse of Elkhart 2:50
- 9 Ramblin' 3:12
- 10 Queen Mab (Instrumental) 1:26
- 11 Go to the Light 3:40
- 12 Oh, to Be an Animal 3:00
- 13 Ghost Fields 4:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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