Rise Ye Sunken Ships
Augustines · 2011
45 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
Anthemic melodies intertwine with raw, introspective lyrics, creating a sweeping landscape of emotional exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chapel Song — This track opens the album with a rousing, sing-along chorus that captures the essence of longing and hope, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Headlong Into the Abyss — The song's powerful dynamics and reflective lyrics encapsulate themes of struggle and resilience, showcasing the band's ability to blend anthemic rock with personal narrative.
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Philadelphia (City of Brotherly Love) — This track stands out for its vivid storytelling and emotional depth, painting a poignant picture of connection and belonging while maintaining an upbeat tempo.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album features strong songwriting but lacks consistent cohesion and production polish.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build momentum with driving rhythms and anthemic choruses, while the fourth track shifts to a more reflective tone with softer instrumentation.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a lengthy instrumental track that contrasts sharply with the preceding lyrical content, providing a contemplative ending.
- 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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5/10
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
- poignant storytelling with anthemic melodies
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- uplifting energy for group listening
- for reflective road trips
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2011, Rise Ye Sunken Ships was Augustines' debut album after the dissolution of their previous band, Pela. This transition marked a significant shift for the members as they aimed to forge a new identity that would resonate with their experiences and struggles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frightened Rabbit· The National· Band of Horses
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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New Drink for the Old Drunk
The writing shifts from nostalgia to urgent self-reflection about past choices and present realities.
This shift creates a contrast between memory and action, emphasizing growth while also acknowledging the weight of one's history.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Chapel Song 3:08
- 2 Augustine 4:15
- 3 Headlong Into the Abyss 4:29
- 4 Book of James 5:00
- 5 East Los Angeles 2:59
- 6 Juarez 4:20
- 7 Philadelphia (City of Brotherly Love) 4:18
- 8 New Drink for the Old Drunk 3:55
- 9 Patton State Hospital 3:20
- 10 Strange Days 3:02
- 11 Barrel of Leaves 3:08
- 12 The Instrumental 3:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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