The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night
The Besnard Lakes · 2010
46 min · 10 tracks · indie rock
Expansive soundscapes meld lush instrumentation with haunting vocals, creating an ethereal atmosphere that feels both intimate and vast.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chicago Train — This track stands out for its driving rhythm and evocative lyrics, capturing themes of longing and nostalgia through layered harmonies and rich instrumentation.
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And This Is What We Call Progress — With its dynamic shifts and contemplative lyrics, this song encapsulates the album's exploration of change and the passage of time, making it a pivotal moment in the listening experience.
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Light Up the Night — The closing track features sweeping melodies and a climactic build-up that leaves listeners with a sense of resolution and wonder, embodying the album's overarching themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's expansive sound and dynamic shifts create a unique listening experience within indie rock.
What we noticed
- The album features long tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and expansive soundscapes.
- Vocal harmonies are layered throughout, often creating a haunting effect that complements the lush instrumentation.
- The use of dynamic shifts is prominent, with quieter sections leading into more intense crescendos, particularly in the longer pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate instrumental interludes that serve as transitions between vocal sections, enhancing the ethereal 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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7/10
- 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
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
- dreamlike soundscapes for introspection
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- evocative melodies for late nights
- immersive journey through emotions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2010, The Besnard Lakes released their third album, following their acclaimed 2007 record 'The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse.' By this point in their career, they were solidifying their distinct sound within the indie rock scene, gaining recognition for their ambitious production and intricate arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Godspeed You! Black Emperor· Sigur Rós· Explosions in the Sky
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent, Part 1: The Ocean 1:39
- 2 Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent, Part 2: The Innocent 7:17
- 3 Chicago Train 5:18
- 4 Albatross 4:42
- 5 Glass Printer 3:54
- 6 Land of Living Skies, Part 1: The Land 1:05
- 7 Land of Living Skies, Part 2: The Living Skies 5:42
- 8 And This Is What We Call Progress 5:10
- 9 Light Up the Night 7:25
- 10 The Lonely Moan 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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