Reason in Decline
Archers of Loaf · 2022
35 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
A raw and urgent blend of angular guitars and introspective lyrics reflecting on contemporary disillusionment.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mama Was a War Profiteer — This track stands out for its biting critique of capitalism and war, combining sharp lyrics with an infectious melody that captures the album's overarching themes of disillusionment.
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Misinformation Age — With its frenetic energy and pointed lyrics, this song encapsulates the chaos of the digital era, making it a resonant anthem for today's climate of confusion.
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Saturation and Light — This track showcases the band's ability to balance introspection with urgency, featuring a compelling vocal delivery that highlights both personal and societal struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends urgent instrumentation with introspective lyrics, maintaining a cohesive flow despite varied tempos.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving tempo that persists through the first half, then shifts to more reflective and slower tracks in the latter half.
- Guitar riffs are angular and often interlock with bass lines, creating a dense texture that supports the introspective lyrics.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions between sections, enhancing the sense of urgency and disillusionment expressed in the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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
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 mid-tempo engagement
- gritty introspective reflections
- urgent yet contemplative themes
- short bursts of intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate gratification
- seek lengthy explorations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 21, 2022, Reason in Decline marks Archers of Loaf's first album since their reunion in 2011. This album comes after a lengthy hiatus, showcasing the band’s evolution while retaining their signature sound. The record reflects their return to the indie rock scene with a fresh yet familiar perspective.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Superchunk· Guided by Voices· The Promise Ring
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Human 2:58
- 2 Saturation and Light 3:03
- 3 Screaming Undercover 2:55
- 4 Mama Was a War Profiteer 3:55
- 5 Aimee 3:16
- 6 In the Surface Noise 4:22
- 7 Breaking Even 4:13
- 8 Misinformation Age 2:17
- 9 The Moment You End 2:55
- 10 War Is Wide Open 5:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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