What makes The Barbarians Move In by Duels notable?

'The Barbarians Move In' received critical acclaim for its ambitious sound and lyrical complexity, helping to solidify Duels' place in the indie rock landscape. The album was particularly noted for its innovative approach to songwriting and was featured in several year-end lists for 2008, highlighting its impact on the genre during that time. Released on February 14, 2008, 'The Barbarians Move In' is Duels' sophomore album, following their debut 'The Bright Lights' from 2006. At this point in their career, the band sought to expand their sound, incorporating more complex arrangements and thematic depth, establishing themselves within the UK indie rock scene.

How many songs are on The Barbarians Move In?

The Barbarians Move In has 11 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

The Barbarians Move In

Duels · 2008

44 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A vibrant tapestry of indie rock, blending anthemic melodies with introspective lyrics and rich instrumental textures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Furies — This opening track sets the tone with its driving rhythm and intense vocals, encapsulating the album's exploration of conflict and resilience.
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Regeneration — A standout for its lyrical introspection and dynamic shifts, this track showcases the band's ability to blend melody with thoughtful commentary on change.
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The Barbarians Move In — The title track embodies the album's themes of invasion and transformation, featuring powerful instrumentation that mirrors its lyrical urgency.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and cohesive flow but lacks standout production elements.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build in intensity, culminating in a climactic arrangement on 'Wolvesland'.
Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly evident in 'The Healing' and 'This Year's Man'.
The final track, 'The Barbarians Move In', serves as an expansive conclusion, featuring a gradual fade-out that contrasts with the more energetic earlier tracks.

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

Influence 3/10

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 The Furies 4:28
2 Sleeping Giants 2:49
3 Regeneration 3:29
4 Perimeter Fence 4:05
5 The Healing 4:01
6 Wolvesland 3:52
7 The Wild Hunt 3:43
8 This Year's Man 3:50
9 Forgotten Babies 3:50
10 The First Time/The Last Time 6:01
11 The Barbarians Move In 4:03

What to play next

Go back to

The Bright Lights and What I Should Have Learned

2006

Full Duels discography Artists like Duels

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata