A Church That Fits Our Needs
by Lost in the Trees
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Mar 20, 2012
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Magnet
    Apr 10, 2012
    75
    A suite-like meditation that is emotionally expressive and impressively nuanced.[No. 86, p.55]
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  2. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 3, 2012
    80
    It's an exhausting listen, but what A Church That Fits Our Needs does so well is how it makes this loss palatable--the grief is real and heartfelt and sometimes overwhelming, but in its honesty and the warm instrumentation that Picker has mastered, it's thoughtful and all too easy to get lost in.
  3. PopMatters
    Mar 30, 2012
    80
    This may be one of the best records of the year so far.
  5. Consequence
    Mar 28, 2012
    70
    Picker and the rest of Lost in the Trees have said plenty while also crafting a unique album that blends classical music with contemporary flair.
  6. AllMusic
    Mar 22, 2012
    90
    Haunting as it may be, A Church That Fits Our Needs succeeds on nearly every level.
  7. Beats Per Minute
    Mar 21, 2012
    88
    It's definitely a taxing listen. But it's also one of the most cohesive and powerful records to come around in a long time, and it doesn't tire after multiple spins.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    Mar 21, 2012
    80
    A Church That Fits Our Needs isn't easy to define, but it is easy to get lost in.
  9. The New York Times
    Mar 20, 2012
    70
    Mr. Picker fills these songs with uncomfortable imagery, reliving his mother's pain and imagining her golden transfiguration.
  10. Blurt Magazine
    Mar 20, 2012
    70
    Shimmering and ethereal, A Church That Fits Our Needs finds the band as ambitious as ever.
  11. Paste Magazine
    Mar 20, 2012
    80
    Lost in the Trees rethink of the music of grief and catharsis, turning this album into a loving and lively wake without neglecting either the precariousness of life or the horrors of death.
  12. Under The Radar
    Mar 20, 2012
    80
    The tracks on A Church are beatifically mournful, its orchestrations minor key, and its vocals sung by an author distinctly heavy of heart.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Breakfast
    Mar 30, 2012
    10
    A beautiful, breathtaking, heartbreaking and masterful work of art. Every note, every word, every melody. Just perfect. As of right now, farA beautiful, breathtaking, heartbreaking and masterful work of art. Every note, every word, every melody. Just perfect. As of right now, far and away the best album of the year.… Full Review »
  2. transparence
    Dec 21, 2012
    9
    What emotion in this album. Arrangements melodies, voice, everything is very high. One of the best albums I've heard in the history of popWhat emotion in this album. Arrangements melodies, voice, everything is very high. One of the best albums I've heard in the history of pop music . Only tracks 4 and 8 are less developed regarding melodies. The other fly very high… Full Review »
  3. listener
    Jul 22, 2012
    9
    Never heard of them before but somehow photography on a cover of it grabbed my attention...anyway turned out to be the most beautiful album INever heard of them before but somehow photography on a cover of it grabbed my attention...anyway turned out to be the most beautiful album I heard in 2012 so far.… Full Review »
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