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MojoJul 18, 2012You're left with the impression that Lower Dens are both big sounding and very clever. [Jun 2012, p.85]
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Jul 12, 2012A few, like Lion In Winter Pt. 1 and 12-minute closer In The Beginning Is The End, test your patience, while others, like Nova Anthem and Lamb, become so surprisingly transcendent that they vanquish any and all tedium.
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May 30, 2012It is a delicate alchemy of tight metronomic grooves and carefully parsed instrumental interplay, to the point where nothing steals the show.
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May 23, 2012It not so much a record that juxtaposes itself, but rather one that sways between the two sides of whatever spectrum you put it in.
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May 21, 2012A welcome new start for this talented band.
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May 10, 2012Weirder is better with this crew; witness the 12-minute apocalyptic dub incantation "In The End Is The Beginning," which locates sublime power in its spacey pessimism.
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May 9, 2012Largely favoring grayscale tones and sedated sentiment, Lower Dens' highs achieve with an understated ability to evoke emotion.
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May 8, 2012Sometimes trance-inducing, sometimes wildly dynamic, the album is a sumptuous, woozy feast that proudly dances on the lines between nirvana and reality.
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May 3, 2012These are sleek soothing balms sombrely and meticulously crafted to usher the listener in.
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May 2, 2012Nootropics, the latest record from Baltimore quintet Lower Dens, connects layered loops and trippy chants with catchy rock 'n' roll arrangements, delivering a pure punch of sonic bliss.
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UncutMay 2, 2012Nootropics is a slow burn that lingers long. [May 2012, p.78]
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May 2, 2012Despite the lack of direct emotional content in the shrouded lyrics, the music has an ache to it, a yearning that suggests a desire to connect but an inability to make a connection.
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May 1, 2012The disc turns more experimental as it progresses.
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May 1, 2012This is one of those albums that creates its own little sound world, and a lot of its appeal has to do with qualities like texture and atmosphere.
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May 1, 2012The panicked sensation of Nootropics gives way to catharsis as the surrealism intensifies to the point at which change is inevitable.
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May 1, 2012What's missing is the meditative joy they achieved in their rockier moments.
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May 1, 2012As a breathtaking study in grayscale minimalism, Nootropics is exquisite. But it dissipates the instant it touches air.
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Apr 30, 2012It's undoubtedly complex, awkward and occasionally without direction, but it also produces moments of astonishing splendour, each with the capacity to bring neck hairs bristling to attention.
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Apr 30, 2012The end result is an intriguing, ambitious set of songs that reward those who opt for full immersion, rather than cherry-picking tracks, with each listen.
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Apr 27, 2012Their minimalist throb is challenging at first, yet allowing the likes of 'Brains' and 'Propagation' to seep in is to be submerged in an invigoratingly ballsy album.
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Apr 27, 2012Its refined edges, percussion heavy sounds and understated opulence find the band's sonic landscape revitalised.
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Apr 27, 2012Nootropics is so mired in restraint it will fail to grab many ears on the first go-round. However, once listeners get their heads around the sound, it's a definite on-repeat player.
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Apr 27, 2012If you're willing to put the effort in, then you will be rewarded with an achingly beautiful and immersive album.
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Apr 27, 2012The dreamwave immersion and haunting power of Hunter's vocals invite comparisons to fellow Baltimore mood-wizards Beach House, but whereas Teen Dream aimed for beauty even at its darkest, Lower Dens keeps things weird.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 18 out of 20
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Mixed: 2 out of 20
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Negative: 0 out of 20
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May 3, 2012
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Jun 14, 2012
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Jul 10, 2012