Burst Apart

Untitled

Burst Apart is the fourth studio album by American indie rock group The Antlers. It was released on Frenchkiss Records on May 10th, 2011. It began streaming on the National Public Radio website on April 24, 2011. The cover art was designed by Zan Goodman, who also designed the album cover for their previous album, Hospice. The album became available internationally on the Transgressive label on May 30, 2011.

Track listing

All songs written, performed, produced and recorded by The Antlers.

1. "I Don't Want Love" - 3:19
2. "French Exit" - 4:03
3. "Parentheses" - 3:26
4. "No Widows" - 5:17
5. "Rolled Together" - 4:37
6. "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out" - 3:23
7. "Tiptoe" - 2:21
8. "Hounds" - 5:17
9. "Corsicana" - 3:39
10. "Putting the Dog to Sleep" - 5:47
11. "Tongue Tied" [iTunes Deluxe Version]

Credits

Written, performed, produced and recorded by The Antlers

• Peter Silberman: Vocals, lyrics, guitar, mandolin, organ
• Darby Cicci: Synthesizers, electric pianos, organ, bass, vocals, trumpet, banjo
• Michael Lerner: Drums, percussion
• Engineered by Darby Cicci
• Mixed by The Antlers and Dan Seiders
• Mastered by Greg Calbi, Sterling Sound
• Cover design by Zan Goodman
• Cover photo by Justin Hollar
• Additional Design by Zan Goodman, Darby Cicci

Reviews

Upon its release, Burst Apart received positive reviews from most critics. As of June 23, 2011, it has garnered a score of 81 from review aggregate website Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim." Most critics have noted the contrast between Burst Apart and its predecessor Hospice, a highly conceptual album about a hospice worker who falls in love with a dying patient. Among the most enthusiastic reviews was that of Delusions of Adequacy, which called it "exclusively incredible," "downright astonishing," and "every bit just as breathtaking" as Hospice. Pitchfork Media gave the album an 8.2 rating and brandished it with its "Best New Music" label; reviewer Ian Cohen remarked that although Burst Apart could not achieve the cult-like following of Hospice, it is "still tethered to a magnanimity and expressive clarity that makes it almost every bit as devastating." Jeremy Aaron of AbsolutePunk said that while the record "marks a move away from the stifling bleakness" of Hospice, it is still "an incredible sounding album," composed with "breathtaking elegance." Marc Hawthorne of The AV Club likewise commented on the difference, writing that Hospice "bummed everyone out--in the best possible way," but that The Antlers were able to create a followup that "easily reaches grand, dramatic heights even while remaining relatively subdued."