Is In the Air a good place to start with The Handsome Family?

Yes, In the Air is recommended as a starting point for new The Handsome Family listeners. Whimsical storytelling intertwines with haunting melodies, creating a dreamlike landscape of love, loss, and Americana folklore. Released on February 7, 2000, 'In the Air' is The Handsome Family's fourth studio album, following their breakthrough project 'Through the Trees' in 1998. By this point in their career, they had established a distinct sound that combined dark lyrical themes with traditional Americana influences, solidifying their presence in the alternative country scene.

Who is In the Air for?

In the Air works well if you're into steady melodic journey throughout, haunting narratives with whimsy and for reflective afternoons.

How many songs are on In the Air?

In the Air has 11 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

In the Air

The Handsome Family · 2000

37 min · 11 tracks · alternative country

Whimsical storytelling intertwines with haunting melodies, creating a dreamlike landscape of love, loss, and Americana folklore.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Don’t Be Scared Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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So Much Wine — This track stands out with its poignant narrative about heartbreak during the holidays, blending melancholy and warmth in equal measure.
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In the Air — The title track encapsulates the album's ethereal quality, showcasing the duo's signature blend of haunting melodies and vivid imagery.
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Poor, Poor Lenore — This song's narrative structure highlights the duo’s storytelling prowess while exploring themes of loss and longing with a haunting simplicity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album weaves storytelling and melody into a cohesive experience, marked by thematic depth and distinctive sound.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a slow, reflective pace with sparse instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat tempo.
Several songs feature recurring motifs and lyrical themes that connect to Americana folklore, creating a cohesive narrative thread.
The album closes with two tracks that gradually decrease in tempo, allowing for a gentle exhalation as it concludes.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic journey throughout
haunting narratives with whimsy
for reflective afternoons
captivating storytelling in song

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat or fast-paced
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Notable for critical acclaim, elevating the band's profile within indie music.
Themes: holiday heartbreak· dreamlike landscapes
Career context: Released on February 7, 2000, 'In the Air' is The Handsome Family's fourth studio album, following their breakthrough project 'Through the Trees' in 1998. By this point in their career, they had established a distinct sound that combined dark lyrical themes with traditional Americana influences, solidifying their presence in the alternative country scene.
Stylistic neighbors: The Civil Wars· Sufjan Stevens· Neko Case