Alt-J - An Awesome Wave

Hijinx
Member

I'm wondering how many more listens it will take before I stop thinking this album is just weird. Not bad by any measure, but very odd. And not just in sound, but in structure. Starts with an intro which leads into the first of three interludes! This leads to a severe lack of tracks that stand out compared to total number. That being said, they're definitely there. "Breezeblocks" goes without saying, but then chuck on "Something Good" & "Fitzpleasure" strategically along the way and the album doesn't wear on me too much. I'm having trouble placing the appeal of the band because they don't really sound like anything I've come across prior. That's a good thing though, but being original isn't enough to justify it if there's nothing of worth to be had. I'd be interested to hear another album from them, but I hope by then, they've refined exactly what it is that they're going for, because I still find myself confused.

Edit: I think I've better assimilated this now. What I find with ∆ albums is that it works better if you don't look at the actual tracklist, and just take it in for what it is. With that being said, they could possibly do a better job of justifying all the interludes they pigeonhole in, but they have an interesting and welcoming album to show for it. I'm just impressed that something this not straightforward is as popular as it is. 3.8
Last edited: 19.11.2014 05:37