eyeland

It's hard to fault the Low Anthem for trying something different. After all, if they conformed to what they thought people wanted to hear rather than what they wanted to play, we may never have had such beautiful songs like "This God Damn House", "Charlie Darwin" or "Ghost Woman Blues", to name a few. And the problem with EYELAND is not that it's different from the other albums they've put out, but that it's presented as if there's a whole lot to this new experience, when there isn't. We saw hints of Low Anthem's boredom with folk-rock during SMART FLESH, using most of the deleted far-out tracks from its sessions for their SNAKE WAGON guise. But unlike SMART FLESH, where there are hints of minor evolution, or SNAKE WAGON which is so different that it might as well be a different band, EYELAND lingers in an imbalance of the two, as if it's unsure of itself internally but is outward confident. They drop the nostalgic-like folk-rock tracks "In the Air Hockey Fire", "Dream Killer" and the overrated "Pepsi Moon" on us, as if these songs are here just in case their new style backfires; and then there's the straight up bizarre "Waved the Neon Seaweed", "Behind the Airport Mirror", "Wzgddrmtnwrdz", "Am I the Dream or Am I the Dreamer?" and the anti-climactic "Circular Ruins in Euphio", which are more frustrating for being interchangeable than being "bad". Luckily, the classically trained Rhode Island band couldn't make an entirely bad album even if they tried, as "In Eyeland" and "Ozzie" are excellent and perhaps worth adding to a Best Of compilation, while "Her Little Cosmos" grows on you by the third or fourth listen.One can't bash this album too harshly, as the effort is definitely there and every artist is allowed to try something different. If the Low Anthem wants to move away from folk-rock, then they should continue do so, if that's what makes them happy. But it's fair to say that EYELAND is outnumbered by bland noisy instrumentals that fail to set the intended mood or demonstrate a new era that's worth listening to.

Beautiful new album from the Low Anthem! It's been a while since they've been on my radar, but I'm thrilled to see them making music again.Fans of some of their folk-rock driven albums of past years may be in for a pleasant shock. Eyeland is a sprawling exploration of childhood, memory, and loss that is simultaneously folk, electronic, and modern prog rock. While there are some beautiful songs that can stand on their own (Pepsi Moon, In the Air Hockey Fire, Dream Killer), this album is a spectacular piece of work that begs to be listened to straight through. Dedicate 45 minutes of your day to sitting down with this, and you'll be reminded that there are still people making music that breaks from the mold of Spotify singles.Terrific album!

Have seen them several times, bought them beer and have been blown away by their first 3 efforts. Too many bells and whistles (literally). All the electronica, ugh. Need to get back to poignant lyrics, harmonies and real instruments instead of synthesizers, drum loops and lyrics about masturbation, an air hockey table fire and a commercial for Pepsi. Focus on music, not cover art! Was waiting for any new music but am disappointed. Has been discarded.

This is a beautiful recorded album, worth a listen on good speakers or headphones. Individual songs worked well for me, and the connecting instrumental tracks do not work for me unless I have time to listen attentively to the album as a whole.

All the studio manipulation in the world will not change the fact that thisis a mediocre album, if the songwriting behind the creativity was betterI would love this, but the closer you listen the flimsier it gets.

5/5...

Sonic genius! From beginning to end this is a mesmerizing album. What creativity. The Low Anthem has hit another home run in my book. I can't stop listening to this CD. Bravo!

Gorgeous new album from a great band.

The most disappointed I have ever been in an album. One of my favourite groups, their last album was a masterpiece. This is an unlistenable disaster. Straight on ebay where it sold for 99p, which is more than I would pay for it!!

great album, love it, quick as delivery

Non conoscevo il gruppo EYELAND e sono rimasto fortemente colpito, al primo ascolto, dalla molteplicità di atmosfere e di umori che compaiono nell'album. Ci sono brani rumoristici con percussioni e suoni ripresi dalla vita comune, in primo piano, che concorrono a conferire all'opera un'atmosfera psichedelica e straniante che ricorda il meglio di Martha & The Muffins e i Pink Floyd di Ummagumma; ma poi si passa a brani dolcissimi che fanno tornare la mente a brani allo zucchero filato degli Smashing Pumpkins migliori.Per me l'album piu' bello ascoltato nel 2016; un'opera seminale che sa ammaliare ed inquietare senza l'uso di trucchetti prefabbricati e specchietti per le allodole. 5 stelle!

its ok

This is a terrible album. I love the Low Anthem’s previous albums. I approached Eyeland with high hopes. But, after a few minutes of listening it became clear that much of the album is complete drivel. Some will say they love Eyeland. But, I will be surprised if anyone is still playing their Eyeland CD a month after buying it.I saw the Low Anthem perform Eyeland at the Borderline in London. It was just as bad live.