On the Water - Future Islands
On the Water Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

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  • Summary: Produced by Chester Endersby Gwazda, the second album for the trio features cello, marimba, and violin instrumentation.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The A.V. Club
    Oct 11, 2011
    91
    The record is sweetly evocative, swathed in meditative rhythms and lighthearted melodies.
  2. The Quietus
    Oct 26, 2011
    80
    On the Water is a 'love album', but much more than that--seldom has a long player narrated so fluidly, consummately and lucidly, a journey of self-realization.
  3. Q Magazine
    Nov 8, 2011
    80
    It's heavy stuff, and there is a real rawness at the heart of standouts Where I Found You, Before The Bridge, Give Us The Wind and The Great Fire - all a little hard to swallow at first, but ultimately quite remarkable. [Nov. 2011, p. 128]
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  4. Mojo
    Jan 11, 2012
    60
    The band's primary strength is their ability to harness cold electronica and synth sounds to deftly create earthy-sounding atmospherics... Stirring. [Dec. 2011 p.97]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. impudence
    10
    Future islands is hands down my favorite band of 2011. Lead singer Sam Herring's voice is amazing, it regularly reminds me of the cowardly lion (but in a good way). As a child of the eighties any band that labels itself post wave is a-ok in my book. Give them a listen!… Collapse
  2. jraedisch
    9
    Future Islands is definitively one of the best live bands I have seen recently, and "On the Water" is an amazing album that finally captures their spirit. I just wish "In Evening Air" would have been recorded in the same quality.… Expand
  3. RickFlairbombed
    8
    Really enjoyable album, it may have staled a bit on the 6th, 7th listen, but I enjoy more than "In Evening Air." The songs are more developed, and there's more variety here than it's predecessor. It seems like the vocals are not as strong as In Evening Air, but the music definitely compensates. I'ts more subdued, but more powerful IMO. Right now, in my top 5 albums of the year. I am not particularly 80's nostalgic, but the band feels a bit like New Order with a much better singer. Can't wait to see them live!… Expand

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