In the Attic of the Universe

The Antlers - In the Attic of the Universe (Album)





'Hospice' was my favourite album of the year just gone by, not only was it beautiful emotive music, but i felt like i could connect with it on a personal level. That album gained a lot of recognition and it made to a lot of 2009 top ten lists, but 'Hospice' wasn't the Antlers first album.

If you look back to 2007, you find their first offering, 'In the Attic of the Universe'. Clocking in at just under 27 minutes, and with just 8 tracks, this album was a modest offering, a 'sneak peak' at the talent that is front man Peter Siberman and his band. They create such atmospheric, mood building indie rock.

'In the Attic' sounds like it was home recorded, beginning with the sound of someone walking on a path laden with foliage, before breaking out into an earnest ballad with soft guitar melodies and all. The lyrics are haunting, as are many of Siberman's lyrics, 'Say the ghosts up in the attic tell the truth'. It makes you wonder what if going through his mind, apparently this album was recorded at a low point in his life, presumably connected to the back story to 'Hospice'. Then comes the brooding instrumental 'Look!' which eventually breaks out into an Arcade Fire type riff. 'On the Roof' sees Siberman in despair, sounding like he might break up at any moment, similar to 'Epilogue' from Hospice.

The highlight of the album however is 'The Universe is Going to Catch You' which perhaps reflects a feeling we all might have at one time or another, that overwhelming feeling that we are out of control and drowning in the tide of life. The lyrics are appropriately accompanied by a set of loose and fairly wild instrumentals including a rumbling guitar and something that i think is cymbals? The album winds down reflectively on 'In the Snow' and 'Stairs to the Attic'.

If you have never listened to the Antlers before then please give this album and/or Hospice a chance, but don't listen to it at your weekend pre drinks, or everyone must suddenly want to go home and feel rather apathetic about themselves!

8/10