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The Snake
EMAILPRINTby Wildbirds & Peacedrums
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: The Control Group/Leaf
Release Date: 25 August 2009
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Experimental, Alternative
Summary
The Swedish duo releases their second album.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
No Ripcord
To put it simply, it’s a near perfect conclusion to one of the finest records I’ve heard this year.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
Wildbirds & Peacedrums make experimental music that really carves out its own sonic space, that intrigues and engages without ever really attempting to "challenge," because that's not what it cares about.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Their equipment may be largely restricted to percussion, vocals, and the occasional embellishment of keyboard, but their ability to fully eclipse these limitations and create music with a strong improvisational pulse and so much vitality is a no small feat, and proves that they are continuing to experiment in magnificent, dynamic ways.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
The Snake for the first time is a journey riddled with surprise--that almost nothing can be nailed down or predicted even after the seven-minutes-thirty of closer of 'My Heart' is pure 'lucky dip' stuff. Each time you dip in, you seem to come out with an even bigger handful of sweetness.
Read Full Review >Mojo
The duo's songs may employ no chords and few notes to sing against, but they are brillantly structured via Andreas Werliin's melodic drum patterns, with Mariam Wallentin's flamboyant, unfettered voice a huge presence. [May 2009, p109]
Q Magazine
Somehow nothing appears to be missing from the tantalisingly brief beats and blues of 'There Is No Light,' while 'Chain Of Steel's' tick-tocking marimba adds spooky variation. [May 2009, p.119]
Observer Music Monthly
With this second album cementing the union between Mariam Wallentin's impassioned gut-bucket vocals and Andreas Werliin's busy percussion, they are on their way to becoming the White Stripes in reverse.
Read Full Review >musicOMH.com
It's a challenging but ultimately very rewarding listening experience.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Wildbirds & Peacedrums has honed their distinctive mixture of primal emotionalism and imaginative arrangements with a magnetic dynamism that makes for one of the most captivating albums this year.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
At times The Snake sounds like a drum solo with vocals, but they make their limited line-up sound endlessly malleable, which is no small feat.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Wildbirds & Peacedrums are strongest when tapping into their wild side. [Fall 2009, p.68]
Dusted Magazine
The Snake displays many of its predecessor’s strengths--good songs, that emotion-laden voice, the amorphous blend of pop and jazz--without trying to be an action replay
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
Music theory waffle/spiritual musings aside, this sees the pair expand their austere template with new instruments and ideas to great effect.
Read Full Review >Uncut
It's the skeletal accompaniment that lends the sound real brawn--primitive and intuitive, yet sophisticated at the same time. [Jun 2009, p.113]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
