And Their Refinement Of The Decline
by Stars Of The Lid
  • Record Label: Kranky
  • Release Date: Apr 7, 2007
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 103
  3. Negative: 23 out of 103

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  1. jbertsch
    Jan 10, 2013
    10
    Another album that's a prime example of simple purity in music always wins. I'm already in the minority of the general population who enjoys music like this, and this particular album. But I'm realizing I'm also in a second-tier minority among lovers of SOTL...because I hear lovers of this stuff often say that it sounds like space, fantasy, or some distant removed place. Or that it'sAnother album that's a prime example of simple purity in music always wins. I'm already in the minority of the general population who enjoys music like this, and this particular album. But I'm realizing I'm also in a second-tier minority among lovers of SOTL...because I hear lovers of this stuff often say that it sounds like space, fantasy, or some distant removed place. Or that it's thought provoking, relaxing,, and great to get a massage to, etc. And that's all great. But to me, SOTl, and this album, couldn't feel more organic, down-to-earth and real. I may relax to it, but using this album merely as a tool to relax almost seems like a slight disservice to it. Even delicate, simple music deserves our attention and the deeper I listen to this album the more rewarding it is.… Expand
  2. Bezet
    Jul 4, 2011
    10
    This is one of my favourite albums of all time. "Even If You're Never Awake" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. People giving this album negative reviews because it is a "bunch of random tones slowly fading in and out" should educate themselves on drone and ambient music; it's like giving a negative score to Metallica because "there is too much of electric guitars andThis is one of my favourite albums of all time. "Even If You're Never Awake" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. People giving this album negative reviews because it is a "bunch of random tones slowly fading in and out" should educate themselves on drone and ambient music; it's like giving a negative score to Metallica because "there is too much of electric guitars and shouting" or to 2Pac, because "his music is just talking over a beat".… Expand
  3. mkayser
    Jun 23, 2011
    9
    This album doesn't require an epiphany or hard work on the part of the listener -- you either like it or you don't. I'm not sure whether it was "hard to create" or not -- my guess is that it was not easy. But regardless, to me it's beautiful and revelatory. Don't worry about hype or fashion: just turn the music on, listen for a while, and decide whether you like it. If you don't like it,This album doesn't require an epiphany or hard work on the part of the listener -- you either like it or you don't. I'm not sure whether it was "hard to create" or not -- my guess is that it was not easy. But regardless, to me it's beautiful and revelatory. Don't worry about hype or fashion: just turn the music on, listen for a while, and decide whether you like it. If you don't like it, no problem.… Expand
  4. AntonyP
    Sep 11, 2009
    10
    Just returning to this, I didn't get it at first, but this is really a classic, like in fact most Stars of the Lid records.
  5. BohoG
    Aug 10, 2009
    10
    I'd like to know what the people who say this record sound like a fridge or whatever would say if they heard some drone which is genuinely lacking in harmony, or even slightly more obtuse than sotl. i mean wtf this is one of the most innately beautiful albums i've ever heard. people who don't like this just don't understand music.
  6. CH
    Oct 21, 2008
    10
    Pretty? Pleasant? It sounds like people need to learn how to listen to other forms of music aside from voice. If voice or repetitive beats are needed to capture your attention, you might want to reconsider voting at all for such an album or genre. This album is simply stunning.
  7. JonathanW.
    Oct 6, 2008
    10
    I'm seeing people discuss this as electronic music. First and foremost, I'd like to point out that while electronic elements are certainly in use here, most of the sound comes from more classical instruments, from clarinets to trumpets to loads of strings, even a children's choir. Part of the allure for me was trying to place those sounds within the recording, which sounds I'm seeing people discuss this as electronic music. First and foremost, I'd like to point out that while electronic elements are certainly in use here, most of the sound comes from more classical instruments, from clarinets to trumpets to loads of strings, even a children's choir. Part of the allure for me was trying to place those sounds within the recording, which sounds so cold at first that, yes, it could turn people off (and obviously does). But it's called me back more than most other albums that have come out in the past decade, still retaining the air of mystery while my expectations for the melodic changes become more and more filled with excitement.… Expand
  8. EricC
    Aug 19, 2008
    9
    Well, here's another reason why idiots should not buy a record on a high metascore alone. How hard is it to go to Amazon or Allmusic.com and listen to some samples? A 2 disc, about 2 hour drone album is not for everyone. I don't mean to sound like an elitist jerk, but you have to learn how to appreciate ambient. Albums like these reward patience, and you may have to approach it Well, here's another reason why idiots should not buy a record on a high metascore alone. How hard is it to go to Amazon or Allmusic.com and listen to some samples? A 2 disc, about 2 hour drone album is not for everyone. I don't mean to sound like an elitist jerk, but you have to learn how to appreciate ambient. Albums like these reward patience, and you may have to approach it differently than standard rock or pop. But enough whining and preaching. This is another stunning Stars of the Lid album. It may not show the same kind of evolution as other releases (it is very similar to Tired Sounds, which is surprising given the long break between the two) but that hardly matters, as it carries more emotional weight then most other music out there. SotL are the most signifficant drone composers, and they are still at the top of their game.… Expand
  9. 6138
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Incredible album, every realease of this guys is better and better compared to its predecessors. not foor everyone, but if you like ambient/drone/classical-contemporary music you can't be wrong with this!
  10. MattD
    Apr 21, 2008
    10
    Perhaps the most important music being made today.... Stars of the Lid could just bridge the gap between classical and pop music.
  11. AmbientF
    Apr 21, 2008
    10
    Excellent music for late night pondering. Well, for that matter, it is excellent music for any time of the day!
  12. GClark
    Apr 11, 2008
    10
    This is just one of the greatest albums ever released in the drone music genre. If you like drone music, chances are you know Stars of the Lid already. If you don't... Well, why are you listening anyway? Drone music uses sustained sounds and is very slow. You've been warned. Stop trolling.
  13. PaulC
    Jan 23, 2008
    6
    I found this to be pleasant album, the kind of thing you can have on in the background and no one will complain, and one or two people might even inquire as to who the artist is. It's like frosting on a cake, but how much of it can you eat before you want something more substantive. This album, along with Burial and The Field, is vastly overrated by critics. Spoon, Arcade Fire, The I found this to be pleasant album, the kind of thing you can have on in the background and no one will complain, and one or two people might even inquire as to who the artist is. It's like frosting on a cake, but how much of it can you eat before you want something more substantive. This album, along with Burial and The Field, is vastly overrated by critics. Spoon, Arcade Fire, The National and probably 10 other bands put out albums better than this in 2007, and yet for some reason this is the fourth best album of 2007. Five years from now this will not be an album you are still listening to with any sort of frequency; it will simply be useless space on your iPod. This is a good, not great album, and there are a lot of better artists to support both financially and critically.… Expand
  14. PeoplePeople
    Jan 20, 2008
    7
    Nice Iban. Very thought provoking review "you"wrote there. How about not plagiarizing inches below the review. You just convinced me to buy this.
  15. StuP
    Jan 9, 2008
    10
    No it isn't for everyone but anyone who can't put on a pair of headphones, close their eyes and feel washed away by the gorgeous soundscapes must be very hard indeed. I have been listening to it constantly whilst marking 31 SAT papers and it has helped a great deal!
  16. BlakeBlake
    Jan 5, 2008
    4
    Yeah its pretty, but how much pretty can a person take?
  17. MatthewB
    Jan 4, 2008
    10
    It's an album people seem either to love or to hate. So at least it's not a mediocrity, which is probably the worst thing of all. I think it's brilliant.
  18. DorksH
    Dec 28, 2007
    4
    Excellent music to fall asleep to. Not much more though. I guess people who like their music really, really slow, yet disturbingly dissonant at times, should give it a listen. At the end of cd1 I'm wondering how it would sound at double or triple speed.
  19. discombobulator
    Dec 18, 2007
    8
    Stars of the Lid have gotten me through my end of year exams. This was the soundtrack to my study sessions. I'd never heard of them before this.
  20. blahblah
    Dec 17, 2007
    7
    Stars of the Lid still hold a neat position between refined, tasteful ambient and classical instrumentation and composition; and on this record they seem to be leaning further over to the latter. With this in mind I hope this is yet another step in a sound that has been slowly evolving for a decade. There's some soul-crushingly beautiful music on this disc but they could do with Stars of the Lid still hold a neat position between refined, tasteful ambient and classical instrumentation and composition; and on this record they seem to be leaning further over to the latter. With this in mind I hope this is yet another step in a sound that has been slowly evolving for a decade. There's some soul-crushingly beautiful music on this disc but they could do with cutting it down a bit on to one CD - it doesn't manage to get away with it like Tired Sounds did because it's not so "continuous" and dreamy as that release.… Expand
  21. IbanL
    Dec 16, 2007
    1
    Not only is this an inaccessible record but it has no redeeming qualities either. I liked The Tired Sounds of the Stars of the Lid because it had some really beautiful moments on it. Yet this is just so boring and sleep-inducing. 2 hours of absolutely no change. Sincerely, I'm really surprised that people can get to like (and adore) this.
  22. DDTired
    Dec 16, 2007
    10
    Anyone else think that the low scores are all coming from the same bored dude?
  23. CC
    Dec 14, 2007
    2
    There's a difference between minimalism and beautiful minimalism, this one falls into the former.
  24. JohnH.
    Dec 13, 2007
    10
    This is possibly the most beautiful music I have heard this year. This album is a subtle, yet powerful hybrid between modern classical and ambient music. Granted, this type of music is not for everyone, especially since people these days are always looking for instant gratification (i.e. MTV/ radio), and never seem to have enough to time to slow down and enjoy the latent complexities in This is possibly the most beautiful music I have heard this year. This album is a subtle, yet powerful hybrid between modern classical and ambient music. Granted, this type of music is not for everyone, especially since people these days are always looking for instant gratification (i.e. MTV/ radio), and never seem to have enough to time to slow down and enjoy the latent complexities in life. The drone-based songs are melancholy yet soothing, and perfect for accompanying the more meditative and reflective moments in life. It took me weeks of listening to understand this album, but now stars of the lid are one of my favorite bands. So I encourage people to listen beneath the surface, and most of all be patient when trying to understand this album. You won… Expand
  25. SpencerT
    Dec 12, 2007
    2
    The next person who says they love this album MUST explain why it isn't just another 80s/90s sci-fi movie soundtrack. There is NOTHING novel about the sound or melody (both words are singular - not plural) in this album.
  26. BrianE.
    Dec 12, 2007
    9
    This is a subtle, beautiful album. People that don't get it probably don't understand a thing about ambient music. For shame.
  27. CarmichaelC.
    Dec 12, 2007
    3
    It's liking (or pretending to like) this sort of thing that gives critics a bad name.
  28. ShaneS.
    Dec 10, 2007
    10
    This is one of the most challenging albums I've heard in a long time. The low reviews are unsurprising, since really on the surface, nothing much stands out for the catchy pop mainstream. Some have likened this to new age, and I'm not sure that's a fair comparison. New age music--in the sense that I've been acquainted with it--seems more like the easy listening, This is one of the most challenging albums I've heard in a long time. The low reviews are unsurprising, since really on the surface, nothing much stands out for the catchy pop mainstream. Some have likened this to new age, and I'm not sure that's a fair comparison. New age music--in the sense that I've been acquainted with it--seems more like the easy listening, un-challenging sentiment you might find in the CD players of people who don't really want to listen to music; they just want to relax. Certainly, And Their Refinement of the Decline works to that effect as well, but actually latching onto its nuances is rather more rewarding than letting it marinate in the background without having much to do.… Expand
  29. AlexH.
    Dec 9, 2007
    9
    I assume most of the contrarian haters A. don't like this sort of music in the first place and B. didn't actually give it a proper listen. Talk about 'scenes' and 'indie kids' is meaningless; music isn't fashion. If you like Brian Eno's ambient work or modern composers like Gavin Bryars you'll probably enjoy this. It's fine as I assume most of the contrarian haters A. don't like this sort of music in the first place and B. didn't actually give it a proper listen. Talk about 'scenes' and 'indie kids' is meaningless; music isn't fashion. If you like Brian Eno's ambient work or modern composers like Gavin Bryars you'll probably enjoy this. It's fine as background/reading music but hearing it in full quality with full attention is the most rewarding way to listen to the album.… Expand
  30. MartyM.
    Dec 8, 2007
    0
    If you'd like to hear the next stars of the lid album, lie down next to your fridge for about 50 minutes complete rubbish.
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2007
46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2007
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    90
    It's an awesome thing, this album, and anyone, virtually anyone who encounters it will be in some way moved by the impure music it contains.
    Read full review
  2. Almost Cool
    85
    Call it music for lucid dreaming, call it music for daydreams, or call it music for simply strolling in the dusk, this is another album that will stretch time and take you to another place.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    82
    If nothing else, Stars of the Lid have achieved Adam's goal of making music "to really relax to," abjectly defying intent listening, laying waste to the established vocabulary of music production and appreciation.
    Read full review
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