What makes Tamer Animals by Other Lives notable?

The album received critical acclaim, earning praise from outlets like Pitchfork and The New York Times for its lush instrumentation and emotional depth. It showcased Other Lives' ability to weave intricate melodies with rich textures, influencing the indie rock scene and contributing to the revival of orchestral elements in popular music. Tamer Animals is Other Lives' second album, released on May 10, 2011, following their self-titled debut in 2009. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound and expanding their audience, having gained attention for their cinematic approach to songwriting and arrangements.

How many songs are on Tamer Animals?

Tamer Animals has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Tamer Animals

Other Lives · 2011

40 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A sweeping blend of atmospheric indie rock with orchestral elements that evokes a sense of vast, open landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dark Horse — This track opens the album with a haunting melody and a driving rhythm that sets the stage for the expansive soundscape throughout Tamer Animals.
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Dust Bowl III — With its evocative lyrics and dynamic shifts, this song captures the essence of the album’s themes of desolation and yearning, making it a standout piece.
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Tamer Animals — The title track encapsulates the album's core by blending introspective lyrics with a carefully constructed arrangement that showcases the band's musical maturity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album features lush instrumentation and dynamic shifts, creating an atmospheric experience that rewards repeat listens.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow build in 'Dark Horse', layering strings and piano before introducing vocals, setting a contemplative tone.
Tracks like 'Dust Bowl III' and 'Weather' feature dynamic shifts, moving from quiet introspection to sweeping crescendos that evoke vast landscapes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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 Dark Horse 2:39
2 As I Lay My Head Down 3:46
3 For 12 4:11
4 Tamer Animals 4:07
5 Dust Bowl III 4:57
6 Weather 3:49
7 Old Statues 4:09
8 Woodwind 2:21
9 Desert 4:26
10 Landforms 3:18
11 Heading East 2:31

What to play next

Listen next

Rituals

2015

Go back to

Other Lives

2009

Full Other Lives discography Artists like Other Lives

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata