Painted Ruins
by Grizzly Bear
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 18, 2017
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 93
  3. Negative: 6 out of 93
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  1. DavidWasHere
    Aug 18, 2017
    7
    While the band's trademark of lush psychedelic folk does shine through, it is unforutnately weighted down by an inconsistent record with songs that sound like the band are trying to go for alternative radio hits with some of their more poppier cuts here. Still the good songs that harken back to the band's trademarks are here and do outweigh the weaker moments on the album.
  2. CiphirSol
    Aug 19, 2017
    10
    I really dig what they're doing here, the new elements they've brought into the forefront give the album a real pulse. I'd say it is more accessible than Shields but there's no reason that's a bad thing.
  3. thelittlecoon
    Aug 18, 2017
    10
    This might be my favorite album of theirs yet. Every song is fantastic and the album flows really nicely the whole way through. One of the best alternative albums of the year.
  4. Ricko
    Apr 7, 2020
    8
    Painted Ruins in its own right is a laudable indie pop album. It does different to older Grizzly Bear work in that the songs are relatively more straightforward and relatively traditional with the emphasis more on melody than experimentation. That said, it still will appeal to fans of their previous work as it still has that distinct sound the band are known for. It's arguably the bandsPainted Ruins in its own right is a laudable indie pop album. It does different to older Grizzly Bear work in that the songs are relatively more straightforward and relatively traditional with the emphasis more on melody than experimentation. That said, it still will appeal to fans of their previous work as it still has that distinct sound the band are known for. It's arguably the bands most instant album but also their easiest to forget. One of 2017's most enjoyable releases for me with a great balance of interesting ideas and good tunes. "Mourning Sound" is a highlight, simple enough idea made to sound amazing.… Expand
  5. aguasalex
    Sep 13, 2017
    9
    Grizzly Bear has been the epitome of indie-rock since their inception, and yet this album continues to feel fresh while failing to cover new ground. Now, that being said, isn't necessarily a bad thing! It just means the group wants to satisfy their lifelong fans, and this album doesn't disappoint. Ed had divorced since the last time we saw him and these songs reflect that. He isGrizzly Bear has been the epitome of indie-rock since their inception, and yet this album continues to feel fresh while failing to cover new ground. Now, that being said, isn't necessarily a bad thing! It just means the group wants to satisfy their lifelong fans, and this album doesn't disappoint. Ed had divorced since the last time we saw him and these songs reflect that. He is contemplating his position in life, while questioning love as something quasi-magnificently confusing, but ultimately, painfully obtuse. Painted Ruins is enjoyable to listen to because it is explicitly heart-rendering and we've all been there; Grizzly Bear wants you to know that love is confusing on any side of the spectrum and there's unique concept that many musicians fail to recognize. Overall, Grizzly Bear will leave us hungering for more, but there is only so much we can digest before bloating on such crippling heartache, ergo becoming a cliche. Well done!… Expand
  6. andrewsalgado
    Feb 28, 2018
    10
    I WAsnt keen at first ... hit it is without a doubt their best work. It has such texture and brilliant melodies that maintain listener interest...
  7. MetawalkerAC
    Aug 22, 2017
    10
    More 'playlistable' than their previous work, this is still the culmination of one of the greatest bands of this century so far. Breathtaking in its beauty, intelligent and complex but pristine melodic sensibility - it flows like a movie or orchestral suite. Quite likely to be my favorite album of 2017 if listening on repeat is any indication.
  8. Ombudsperson
    Aug 23, 2017
    8
    Painted Ruins tracks are individually all very good indie rock songs but taken as album, they all have the same tone and same amount of energy. It is also Grizzly Bear's safest record, that is no track manages to experiment into new frontiers of indie rock. It is probably Grizzly Bear's weakest record, but even at their worst still manages to produce a very enjoyable record which is one ofPainted Ruins tracks are individually all very good indie rock songs but taken as album, they all have the same tone and same amount of energy. It is also Grizzly Bear's safest record, that is no track manages to experiment into new frontiers of indie rock. It is probably Grizzly Bear's weakest record, but even at their worst still manages to produce a very enjoyable record which is one of the best albums of the year.… Expand
  9. YT_Guyyy
    Aug 18, 2017
    9
    Took me a long time to get to review this album because like all of their albums this is a slow-burner. In the end it's probably the band's best album. I was skeptical based on the singles, but this album really blew out my expectations.

    The band experiment with elements of electronica on the album, with full, electronic soundscapes on songs such as Neighbors. Other than that it's    Took me a long time to get to review this album because like all of their albums this is a slow-burner. In the end it's probably the band's best album. I was skeptical based on the singles, but this album really blew out my expectations.

    The band experiment with elements of electronica on the album, with full, electronic soundscapes on songs such as Neighbors. Other than that it's really business as usual. There's not much for fans of the band that could be said to be different other than the experimentation into electronica. The album has the usual beautiful, lush art rock sounds that are featured on every Grizzly Bear album.

    Best songs: Sky Took Hold, Wasted Acres, Mourning Sound, Three Rings, Losing All Sense, Aquarian, Neighbors

    Worst song: Four Cypresses    … Expand
  10. dvjmarcomatheus
    Sep 8, 2017
    10
    All the music from this album are beatfull. It is a masterpiece, psicodelic, experimental and pop in a good way.

    I meet this work yesterday, and I cant stop listening.... today I listen at least 10x I completctly addictive.
  11. Music_Observer
    Sep 12, 2017
    8
    The intelligent uses of simple and accessible songwriting conventions were quite strong, and everything was made even stronger by the success of creating a feel-good atmosphere through atypical sonic combinations, only losing some remarkableness with doses of lethargy and directionless melodic lines. My Score: 137/180 (Solid) = 7.6/10
  12. CPaccini
    Aug 23, 2017
    7
    Grizzly Bear did a stellar job on instrumentation on this project, with immaculate layering and a pleasing pace throughout. However, the slow and rather boring vocal performances on most tracks leave the instrumentals to display the creative vision and carry the project.
  13. facuronca
    Aug 24, 2017
    9
    Grizzly Bear es una banda que siempre resaltó por su profundidad y rupturas de esquemas en cuanto a lo que bases musicales se refiere. Sabiendo esto creo que en este último album no modificaron esa idea que, como banda, tuvieron si es que la tuvieron. Me parece que, viendo la increíble como inolvidable obra de arte que fue Shields, dado el tiempo que como fan he tenido que esperar paraGrizzly Bear es una banda que siempre resaltó por su profundidad y rupturas de esquemas en cuanto a lo que bases musicales se refiere. Sabiendo esto creo que en este último album no modificaron esa idea que, como banda, tuvieron si es que la tuvieron. Me parece que, viendo la increíble como inolvidable obra de arte que fue Shields, dado el tiempo que como fan he tenido que esperar para escuchar nuevas noticias de Ed y compañía, en este nuevo album noto una combinación entre anteriores álbumes de la banda (más precisamente Horn Of Plenty y Veckatimest). De esta forma creo que las nuevas pistas que Painted Ruins nos aportan tienen muchísimo más ritmo, que en el pasado, las primera canciones tuvieron. Me gusta, aunque honestamente esperaba algo un poco más experimental como siempre fueron en la banda, ahora suenan mucho más a indie rock. Mi puntuación es un 9 en comparación de Shields y Horn Of Plenty, que me parecieron un indudable 10 ambos.… Expand
  14. bigboppin
    Dec 13, 2017
    10
    My first listen to the music on this album was at a live show. It would be inaccurate to say the new music held its place amongst Grizzly Bear's earlier and much loved pieces in the set. Instead, the new pieces brought out the best of the old and elevated the entire set. I've had Painted Ruins on repeat play ever since and it easily earns 10/10.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2017
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 8, 2017
    40
    With nary an aural step forward from their hitherto records, Painted Ruins ends much in the same way it begins, not with a bang, but with a drone.
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  2. The Quietus
    Sep 5, 2017
    80
    While perhaps coming up slightly short on the nuanced splendor of Shields and the instantaneous élan of its Veckatimest, Painted Ruins is a special kind of conquest. Be it via the unseen sparks that spring forth from heartbreak or the dizzying urges that stem from one too many late-night wrangling with one’s place in the world, this is music stemming from a place that few artists can access.
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  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Aug 22, 2017
    83
    Only when you dive in does the beauty reveal itself. Grizzly Bear have never been afraid to expect something of the listener. That’s never been truer than on Painted Ruins.
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