Wilderness
The Handsome Family · 2013
52 min · 12 tracks · alternative country
A haunting exploration of nature's darker corners, blending eerie storytelling with folk-infused melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Flies Start here — Opening the album, Flies sets a chilling tone with its vivid imagery of decay and transformation, showcasing the duo's knack for storytelling.
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Owls — Owls features an intricate interplay of metaphor and narrative that encapsulates themes of nature and mortality, making it a standout track.
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Glow Worm — This track weaves a dreamlike quality with its gentle melody and evocative lyrics, illustrating the delicate balance between beauty and darkness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's thematic focus and unique instrumentation create a distinct sound within alternative country.
What we noticed
- Vocal harmonies are prominent, with the male and female leads often intertwining their melodies rather than taking turns.
- The pacing is mostly slow to mid-tempo, with only a few moments of increased energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- wave-like pacing with gentle peaks
- nature-inspired imagery and themes
- reflective moments of quiet introspection
- subtle dynamics that reward attention
- evening listening for calm exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek instant gratification from tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in their catalog, but not as widely recognized or accessible as others.
- Themes
- nature's decay· eerie storytelling· dark corners of wilderness
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Wilderness is The Handsome Family's seventh studio album, following the critically acclaimed Honey Moon. By this point, the duo had established a unique voice in Americana and alternative country, marked by their signature blend of whimsy and darkness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Civil Wars· Sufjan Stevens· Neko Case
Tracklist
- 1 Flies Start here 3:41
- 2 Frogs 4:41
- 3 Eels 4:25
- 4 Octopus 3:33
- 5 Owls 3:59
- 6 Caterpillars 4:42
- 7 Glow Worm 5:33
- 8 Lizard 5:12
- 9 Woodpecker 4:22
- 10 Gulls 4:20
- 11 Spider 3:54
- 12 Wildebeest 4:20
What to play next
Unseen
2016
Continues the atmospheric and introspective themes found in Wilderness.
Honey Moon
2009
Sets a similar mood with rich storytelling and haunting melodies.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Explores themes of loss and nature with haunting melodies and intimate storytelling.
The Creek Drank the Cradle
Iron & Wine
Shares a similar blend of folk-infused melodies and lyrical exploration of nature's darker elements.
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Offers eerie storytelling and dark themes, framed within haunting musical arrangements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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