Familiars
by The Antlers
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Jun 17, 2014
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 58
  3. Negative: 3 out of 58
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ricko
    Jun 17, 2015
    7
    Previous album "Burst Apart" was more song driven compared to the sparse, soundscape of their excellent "Hospice" album. "Familiars" falls between the two. Pretty much all the songs pass the 5 minute mark and choruses are a rare thing. Instead, the band create a mood with each track that fits in with the overall album - a much more upbeat affair than was found on "Hospice" but morePrevious album "Burst Apart" was more song driven compared to the sparse, soundscape of their excellent "Hospice" album. "Familiars" falls between the two. Pretty much all the songs pass the 5 minute mark and choruses are a rare thing. Instead, the band create a mood with each track that fits in with the overall album - a much more upbeat affair than was found on "Hospice" but more sprawling than "Burst Apart". If you've heard "I Don't Want Love" from that "Burst Apart", this is what you can expect here but longer and with more exploration going on. Not on par with whats gone before but still decent.… Expand
  2. jotaeseche
    Aug 2, 2014
    8
    As charmingly and deliciously created and performed as the album grows further and further, the consistency and stability the work projects is sometimes diminished by excessively steady and slow structures that end up being a bit boring or tedious. Despite saying that if it had lasted 35 minutes instead of 53 it would have been quite tastier and prettier, the combination of exquisiteAs charmingly and deliciously created and performed as the album grows further and further, the consistency and stability the work projects is sometimes diminished by excessively steady and slow structures that end up being a bit boring or tedious. Despite saying that if it had lasted 35 minutes instead of 53 it would have been quite tastier and prettier, the combination of exquisite trumpets, aesthetic and profound lyrics and Silberman‘s astonishing voice denotes a purely talented band that has made a nostalgic and thrilling job (all over again).… Expand
  3. adhamhany
    Jul 13, 2014
    8
    It's not the kind of music i expected from the Antlers, but it nonetheless manages to be better than their two previous beautiful albums ("Hospice" and "Burst Apart"). The music is full of subtle touches that converge together to create this wonderful serene mood. The lyrics and vocals are great as well.

    I truly like this band and wish them the best of luck in their future.
  4. zmusicmovieman
    Jun 24, 2014
    9
    The Antlers have slowly creeped under the radar with nothing but brilliant, original music. It's just a matter of time before they get the credit they deserve. No one should expect to get another Hospice but they seem to grow in ideas and originality as they grow older as a band. I consider them the Radiohead of American music, and not just because they both have brilliant lead singersThe Antlers have slowly creeped under the radar with nothing but brilliant, original music. It's just a matter of time before they get the credit they deserve. No one should expect to get another Hospice but they seem to grow in ideas and originality as they grow older as a band. I consider them the Radiohead of American music, and not just because they both have brilliant lead singers that sing through their bones on each note. They are quite unique and I love everything they have put out to this point and I truly think they are easily one of the best bands in the world at the moment, even if the world doesn't know it yet. Their brilliance is unparalleled in almost everything they have made to this point. I hope for even better going forward and I hope their brilliance spreads world wide as well.… Collapse
  5. pdesaab07
    Jun 19, 2014
    8
    Another great album from the Antlers... more of a following from Burst Apart than Hospice but very well executed and subtle music arrangements as well as the songwriting.

    I do believe they are an under-rated band and they deverve much more success. The introduction Palace is a gem by itself !

    Bravo.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Mojo
    Jul 2, 2014
    80
    Unwieldy on paper, it comes to life through odd, prickly phrases, but the music cuts deepest. [Aug 2014, p.93]
  2. Record Collector
    Jul 1, 2014
    80
    Another big step for Silberman and required listening for any Americana aficionados.
    Read full review
  3. Paste Magazine
    Jun 24, 2014
    89
    The album is ultimately the most cathartic and uplifting that songwriter Peter Silberman has crafted, indicating the demons he has long wrestled with may be tiring, if not nearing defeat.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »