MANIFESTO
So here’s the deal - to combat Neil’s slew of remarkably tasteful “Ted Talks” jokes, I’ve determined the best course of action is a weekly dose of subversion. Ouch, interns bite back. I bring you the first installment of “Ted Listens,” in which I listen to and WRITE (not talk) about a track I am particularly stoked on.
You with me? Tight.
The Antlers, “Hotel”, Familiars, (ANTI-)
Welcome to Familiars, the Antler’s 5th release in which they’ve traded heartbreak for inner peace without losing any of the haunt we love.
“Hotel” grooves hard. Within the first 10 seconds the keys, bass, and drums sew themselves into a fierce pocket that just doesn’t quit until the end.
Halfway in, I’m thinking I’ve got the hang of it when suddenly everything becomes suspended; drums minimize to downbeat ride hits while the once punchy, rhythmic keys morph into a legato, jazz-like layer upon which the vocals and horns lightly waft.
Oh man, oh boy.
The faintest hint of an organ begins to reveal itself, eventually swelling to a gospel feel around 3:35 that slays as a complement to Silberman’s devastatingly lowkey guitar solo to close out the track.
Apparently, much of the album was inspired by the zen-buddhist, "bardo", or “between state” after death and before rebirth which manifests in “Hotel’s” lyrics exploring the hotel as existential waiting room; self, anonymity, the wrestle of existence, it’s all here.
Check out the track below and pick up the LP while we still got it!
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