Description
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Brooklyn’s indie music scene often feels like a competitive arena of ever-evolving trends, but Pete Silberman, the frontman of The Antlers, has consistently charted his own course. In the scorching summer of 2009, Silberman emerged from the solitude of his bedroom with the third Antlers LP, Hospice. This album boldly embraced emotionally charged themes such as abortion, cancer, and death, packaged within a concept-album format. Fast forward to 2011, and The Antlers, now a trio, released Burst Apart, an album influenced by electronic music and marked by a shift from the intensely personal narrative of its predecessor.
Burst Apart diverges from the autobiographical intensity and Arcade Fire-like aspirations of Hospice. While Hospice was characterized by prolonged segments of calm white noise punctuated by intense emotional outbursts, Burst Apart features luxurious downtempo tones that hint at deep romantic turmoil. The lead single “Parentheses” initially seemed to connect the band to post-OK Computer and pre-Kid A sonic landscapes, with its electronic percussion and tweaked piano. However, the aggression in Silberman’s falsetto and the gnarly guitar distortion proved to be outliers within the album’s overall atmosphere.
The album’s opener, “I Don’t Want Love”, sets the tone with a heartbreaking melody that captures the essence of a numbing hangover, moving away from the overwhelming emotional rawness that defined Hospice. Tracks like “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out” delve into symbolic manifestations of sexual frustration, while “Parentheses” and “Every Night” echo the desperate grip on sanity akin to The Walkmen’s “The Rat”.
Burst Apart presents a nocturnal and desolate soundscape, with tracks like “No Widows” evoking fears of vehicular disaster. The album’s centerpiece, “Rolled Together”, features brushed drum work and ethereal guitars reminiscent of Sigur Rós’s Agaetis Byrjun. The tender ballads “Hounds” and “Corsicana” showcase The Antlers’ unique sound, combining Silberman’s melancholic lyrics with uplifting synth and vocal arrangements.
Despite its many strengths, Burst Apart does have its missteps. The closing track, “Putting the Dog to Sleep”, with its dramatic vocals and overwrought doo-wop progression, feels out of place, resembling last-call karaoke rather than a fitting conclusion to the album. Nonetheless, this track underscores The Antlers’ evolution as a band, shifting the focus from a gripping backstory to their musical growth.
While Hospice hit listeners with its raw, unfiltered emotion, Burst Apart requires more patience, gradually revealing its depths. The album invites listeners to navigate their own paths through its haunting, lonely landscapes, ultimately making the experience more rewarding. As The Antlers continue to evolve, Burst Apart stands as a testament to their ability to craft emotionally resonant music that defies conventional expectations.
