In•ter a•li•a
At the Drive-In · 2017
41 min · 11 tracks · post-hardcore
Explosive post-hardcore energy clashes with angular melodies and introspective lyrics, creating a frenetic yet thoughtful soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Governed by Contagions — This track encapsulates the album's urgent themes of societal issues through frenetic instrumentation and poignant lyrics, making it a standout representation of their signature style.
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Incurably Innocent — With its melodic hooks juxtaposed against intense rhythms, this track highlights the band's ability to blend vulnerability and aggression, showcasing their artistic maturity.
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Call Broken Arrow — This song builds tension through its dynamic shifts, effectively illustrating the band's knack for intricate song structures while addressing themes of conflict and resolution.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines explosive energy with introspective lyrics, showcasing At the Drive-In's signature style after a long hiatus.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a high energy level with aggressive instrumentation and rapid tempo changes, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more reflective pace.
- Lyrically, the album employs complex imagery and abstract themes that invite deeper analysis, particularly in tracks like 'Incurably Innocent' and 'Ghost‐Tape No.9'.
- 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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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
- introspective lyrics with urgency
- engaging in-order listening experience
- chaotic instrumentation for focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In•ter a•li•a marks At the Drive-In's first studio album in 17 years, following their disbandment after 2000's Relationship of Command. The band reunited in 2016, reigniting their legacy in the post-hardcore scene. This album reflects their evolution while retaining the raw intensity that defined their earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Mars Volta· Refused· Glassjaw
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Incurably Innocent
The shift from an introspective verse to a soaring chorus amplifies feelings of yearning and frustration regarding lost innocence.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 No Wolf Like the Present 3:39
- 2 Continuum 4:02
- 3 Tilting at the Univendor 3:26
- 4 Governed by Contagions 3:27
- 5 Pendulum in a Peasant Dress 3:41
- 6 Incurably Innocent 3:26
- 7 Call Broken Arrow 4:11
- 8 Holtzclaw 3:49
- 9 Torrentially Cutshaw 3:12
- 10 Ghost‐Tape No.9 4:15
- 11 Hostage Stamps 3:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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