Smother
Wild Beasts · 2011
42 min · 10 tracks · punk rock
Ambient textures meld with intricate rhythms and layered vocals, creating an evocative landscape of introspection and yearning.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Lion's Share — The opening track sets the tone with its haunting melodies and complex lyrical themes surrounding desire and loss, encapsulating the album’s introspective nature.
-
→
Bed of Nails — This track combines driving rhythms with poignant lyrics that explore vulnerability and love, showcasing the band's ability to blend emotional resonance with intricate soundscapes.
-
→
Invisible — With its minimalist arrangement and subtle vocal delivery, this track distills the essence of longing and invisibility in relationships, representing a key thematic element of the album.
-
→
End Come Too Soon — Closing the album on a reflective note, this expansive track weaves together rich instrumentation and contemplative lyrics about mortality, leaving a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines layered vocals and ambient textures with dynamic shifts, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering ambient textures with intricate rhythms before reaching a more dynamic second half.
- Vocals are often harmonized in a call-and-response style, creating a sense of dialogue between the singers rather than a single lead voice.
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected shifts in tempo and mood, such as 'Invisible,' which transitions from a slow build to an intense climax.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lion's Share 4:14
- 2 Bed of Nails 4:18
- 3 Deeper 3:01
- 4 Loop the Loop 4:06
- 5 Plaything 4:21
- 6 Invisible 2:58
- 7 Albatross 3:12
- 8 Reach a Bit Further 3:36
- 9 Burning 4:44
- 10 End Come Too Soon 7:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.