Top tracks — play these first
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Blue Flower/Blue Flame — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and vivid imagery, introducing listeners to Destroyer's unique narrative style.
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My Favorite Year — Clocking in at over six minutes, this track showcases Dan Bejar's lyrical prowess, blending nostalgia with a reflective emotional core that resonates deeply.
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Shooting Rockets (From the Desk of Night's Ape) — This ambitious seven-minute piece exemplifies the album's experimental nature, featuring shifting tempos and complex arrangements that challenge conventional song structures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate songwriting and diverse instrumentation, making it both engaging and distinctive.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features layered vocals and a slow build-up, setting a reflective tone for the record.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as horns and synthesizers, creating a rich sonic texture.
- The lyrics often employ abstract imagery, requiring listeners to engage deeply to unpack their meaning.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others shift dramatically in mood and rhythm.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with emotional peaks
- introspective reflections on disillusionment
- early morning contemplative listening
- kaleidoscopic soundscapes to explore
- thoughtful lyrics for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Trouble in Dreams' was released in 2008, Destroyer was already established in the indie rock scene but still evolving. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'Destroyer’s Rubies' from 2006, maintaining the artistic momentum while exploring new sonic textures and lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The New Pornographers· Spoon· Wolf Parade
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Blue Flower/Blue Flame 3:23
- 2 Dark Leaves Form a Thread 3:35
- 3 The State 3:58
- 4 Foam Hands 3:50
- 5 My Favorite Year 6:07
- 6 Shooting Rockets (From the Desk of Night's Ape) 7:59
- 7 Introducing Angels 3:44
- 8 Rivers 5:14
- 9 Leopard of Honor 5:32
- 10 Plaza Trinidad 3:33
- 11 Libby's First Sunrise 5:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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