Silent '88 cover

Released 30 years ago

Silent '88

Hood · 1996

64 min · 26 tracks · post-rock

A sprawling tapestry of ambient soundscapes infused with intricate melodies and a sense of introspective melancholy.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Hidden Ambience of a Lost Art — This track exemplifies the band's ability to create an immersive atmosphere through layered instrumentation and subtle dynamics, serving as a pivotal moment on the album.
  • →
    Deny Deny Deny — At just over a minute long, this piece captures Hood's knack for brevity while still delivering a potent emotional punch, showcasing their unique compositional style.
  • →
    Love Is Dead but Never Buried — This track features haunting melodies intertwined with rich textural elements, highlighting the band's signature sound that blends melancholy with intricate musicianship.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate soundscapes and layered compositions create an immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features lengthy tracks that often build gradually, layering sounds and textures over time.
  • Several tracks incorporate field recordings and ambient noise, creating a rich soundscape that enhances the overall atmosphere.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 journeys through sound
  • soundscapes for reflection
  • short tracks for focused listening
  • sprawling exploration of emotions
  • melancholic moods for solitude

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer traditional song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1996, Silent '88 marked Hood's third album, following their critically acclaimed debut, Cabled Linear. This album further established their unique blend of post-rock and ambient elements, solidifying their place within the UK music scene during the mid-90s.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Field Is Cut 4:25
  • 2 Hood Northern 3:51
  • 3 Delusions of Worthlessness 3:35
  • 4 At Last! Riots on Spofforth Hill 0:48
  • 5 [untitled] 0:32
  • 6 Rural Colours 2:30
  • 7 Western Skies 2:43
  • 8 Deny Deny Deny 1:16
  • 9 Smash Your Head on the Cubist Jazz 1:12
  • 10 The Hidden Ambience of a Lost Art 3:33
  • 11 Being Beaten Up 0:40
  • 12 Silent ’88 4:11
  • 13 Outro 0:51
  • 14 Intro 0:43
  • 15 Documenting Crop Rotations 2:08
  • 16 I Hate You Now 0:28
  • 17 Her Innocent Stock of Words 3:18
  • 18 Trust Me, I’m a Stomach 2:47
  • 19 Resonant 1942 2:00
  • 20 Sometimes I Worry 1:54
  • 21 [untitled] 0:27
  • 22 Downpour 2:43
  • 23 The Fields Are Divided 1:38
  • 24 Love Is Dead but Never Buried 2:43
  • 25 Empty Canvas 1:49
  • 26 The Silent Years 11:02

What to play next

Rustic Houses, Forlorn Valleys
Listen next

Rustic Houses, Forlorn Valleys

1998
Structured Disasters
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Structured Disasters

1996
Full Hood discography Artists like Hood
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata