Finally! Finally, one of my favorite modern bands has returned with a new album. I came late to the Grizzly Bear bandwagon, not discovering them untilย their 2012 LP,ย Shields, but once I dove into that project they really got their hooks into me. It quickly became one of my favorite albums to come out in this past decade and itโs a project Iโve played into the ground long ago. Soย Painted Ruins couldnโt have gotten here soon enough; Iโve been itching to hear what theyโve been cooking up.
โTry giving me a chance to get out
I want it
There ainโt nothing wrong
Every time I got it homeYou can take one look at the things that we started
But you know that I lost that key that promised homeโ
The word that immediately came to mind after giving it itโs first listen was, gorgeous! Itโs an absolutely beautiful sounding album and they continue to have some of the richest and deeply layered compositions Iโve heard from a band, and each member is sublime in their craft. The compostions are so intricate and dense that thereโs know way youโll catch every nuance; Iโve listened to it a number of times now and each time I do, I discover something new. Itโs a moody album that has an ambiance like a soft haze and while itโs much more synth driven than their last outing, they still retain that folky charm I loved so much the first time I heard them.ย I have yet to skip a single track, so do yourselves a favor and check this one out ASAP.
Have you heardย Painted Ruins? Whatโd you think about it? Was it well worth the five year wait? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions for the album.
