Released 6 years ago this October
Serpentine Prison
Matt Berninger · 2020
41 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Intimate melodies weave through reflective lyrics, creating a poignant atmosphere that captures both melancholy and warmth.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Eyes Are T‐Shirts — This opening track introduces the album's introspective tone with vivid imagery and a catchy melody that encapsulates Berninger's lyrical style.
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Distant Axis — Here, Berninger explores themes of distance and connection through haunting instrumentation and a memorable chorus that lingers long after listening.
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Serpentine Prison — The title track serves as an emotional centerpiece, blending rich instrumentation with deeply personal reflections that resonate 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 strong songwriting and production, creating an intimate listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow tempo and builds gradually, maintaining a reflective mood throughout.
- Each track features Berninger's deep vocals layered over sparse instrumentation, often highlighting piano and subtle guitar.
- Several songs incorporate recurring melodic motifs that create a sense of continuity across the record.
- The final track concludes with an extended instrumental fade-out, allowing the listener to linger in the atmosphere.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Loved So Little
The verse shifts into a moment of stark vulnerability where the singer contemplates feelings of inadequacy and missed opportunities.
This shift in tone presents an unguarded side of Berninger rarely seen in his previous work, enhancing the album's emotional depth.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 My Eyes Are T‐Shirts 2:40
- 2 Distant Axis 4:25
- 3 One More Second 5:23
- 4 Loved So Little 4:55
- 5 Silver Springs 3:54
- 6 Oh Dearie 3:16
- 7 Take Me Out of Town 4:12
- 8 Collar of Your Shirt 5:14
- 9 All for Nothing 3:06
- 10 Serpentine Prison 4:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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