Painted Ruins
Grizzly Bear · 2017
48 min · 11 tracks · psychedelic rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with intricate harmonies, creating a lush soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mourning Sound — This track encapsulates the album's exploration of grief and longing through its haunting vocal harmonies and layered instrumentation. Its introspective lyrics delve into the complexities of emotional loss in a vivid auditory landscape.
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Neighbors — With its driving rhythm and dynamic shifts, Neighbors stands out as an energetic commentary on interpersonal relationships. The interplay of guitar and vocals captures the tension between familiarity and distance, making it a vital part of the album's narrative.
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Four Cypresses — This track features a delicate balance between serene melodies and unsettling undertones, reflecting a sense of nostalgia intertwined with uncertainty. Its lyrical imagery evokes a rich sense of place that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate songwriting and lush production but lacks a fully cohesive arc throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering instrumentation and harmonies before reaching a peak in intensity.
- The final track fades out slowly, leaving a lingering atmosphere that contrasts with the more dynamic earlier 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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7/10
- 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
- steady progression with ethereal harmonies
- haunting soundscapes for introspection
- vibrant textures for focused listening
- immersive experience during quiet moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Painted Ruins is Grizzly Bear's fifth studio album, released four years after their previous project, Shields. This period followed a hiatus during which members pursued solo endeavors, marking a return to collaborative songwriting and refined production techniques. The album reflects their evolution while retaining the distinctive psychedelic rock identity they are known for.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Fleet Foxes· Animal Collective· Beach House
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wasted Acres 2:52
- 2 Mourning Sound 4:22
- 3 Four Cypresses 4:48
- 4 Three Rings 4:48
- 5 Losing All Sense 5:06
- 6 Aquarian 4:18
- 7 Cut-out 3:46
- 8 Glass Hillside 4:54
- 9 Neighbors 4:44
- 10 Systole 3:16
- 11 Sky Took Hold 5:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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