• Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2012
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 165 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 4 out of 165
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  1. Aug 14, 2018
    8
    Arguably a career highlight alongside "Yellow House". "Shields" is an extremely satisfying listen from start to finish and is a record of both density and depth. It contains much of what was great on the band's previous efforts but with a different take, specifically the vocals and rhythm sections are given more emphasis. "Shields" is the best type of weird record. While I like the wholeArguably a career highlight alongside "Yellow House". "Shields" is an extremely satisfying listen from start to finish and is a record of both density and depth. It contains much of what was great on the band's previous efforts but with a different take, specifically the vocals and rhythm sections are given more emphasis. "Shields" is the best type of weird record. While I like the whole album, for me it takes off completely for the last quarter with the band sounding truly inspired. A band brimming with confidence, aiming to push and create rather than please or produce. Gently captivating. Expand
  2. Apr 24, 2018
    9
    Loved the variety in this album, easily my favorite Grizzly Bear album. A Simple Answer, gun-shy, and Sleeping Ute are incredible
  3. Aug 24, 2017
    10
    Lo escuché por primera vez a principios del 2013, y desde entonces este album me parece una obra de arte en su totalidad. Cada canción, cada pista y melodía de Shields me llevaron a distintos lugares de mi imaginación. Creo además que no hay una pista que no me haya, ni siquiera gustado, sino encantado. Definitivamente, sin dudas, este es el album que en mi opinión representa a la banda.Lo escuché por primera vez a principios del 2013, y desde entonces este album me parece una obra de arte en su totalidad. Cada canción, cada pista y melodía de Shields me llevaron a distintos lugares de mi imaginación. Creo además que no hay una pista que no me haya, ni siquiera gustado, sino encantado. Definitivamente, sin dudas, este es el album que en mi opinión representa a la banda. Un verdadero 10, una joya que nos dejaron Ed Droste, Chris Bear, Chris Taylor y Daniel Rossen. Admirable desde toda perspectiva. Expand
  4. Mar 5, 2013
    10
    If there is something that identifies the band Grizzly Bear (besides sweating right?) Is that there seems to have fun with their 'music, something that I think will surprise fans, because the adjectives that best define it are: dense ,complex and or ambitious. is a band that is often easier to admire than just listen and love. They achieved a work of art and would be an insult not toIf there is something that identifies the band Grizzly Bear (besides sweating right?) Is that there seems to have fun with their 'music, something that I think will surprise fans, because the adjectives that best define it are: dense ,complex and or ambitious. is a band that is often easier to admire than just listen and love. They achieved a work of art and would be an insult not to separate each of the layers of music that had been carefully placed by the band.
    Shields continues the move toward more digestible sounds without the need to get a degree in pure mathematics from Harvard. Influences that have been removed from the world of Ed Droste atmospheric side jazzoso towards Daniel Rossen has used in his side project Department of Eagles, though still unusual compositions and instrumentation with unconventional times.

    The band is not reinventing but expands its proposal without losing the essence. With a beautiful production, with good details, arrangements and textures worthy of a Renaissance chapel, have developed a sound that could be defined as Pop Ambient, without compromising his artistic vision or whatever you call it.
    Definitely one of the best albums of 2012.
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  5. Jan 19, 2013
    9
    Brilliant album from start to finish. Daniel Rossen's tracks stand out the most and are the best tracks on the album: Sleeping Ute, A Simple Answer, and the magnificent Sun In Your Eyes. Not to say Ed Droste's tracks are mediocre. Quite the opposite, they're great as well, especially Speaking In Rounds. The build up to the climax with an ebb and flow melody is really spectacular.
  6. Dec 31, 2012
    10
    Grizzly Bear's great effort has come. First hearing this, it felt a bit different, but with elements from their previous album, their previous album, this is a superb 10-track album worth buying. Tracks to listen to: Yet Again, Sun In Your Eyes and Gun-Shy.
  7. Dec 20, 2012
    8
    Perhaps I'm not sophisticated enough, but I just don't always get what they want to say in their songs. They are great musicians and fantastic at expressing themselves, however I don't always understand the meanings of the songs and/or the analogies. But when I get that, it's truly awesome! It's a stunning and chilling kind of music and it's not wrongly named as one of the best CDs in thePerhaps I'm not sophisticated enough, but I just don't always get what they want to say in their songs. They are great musicians and fantastic at expressing themselves, however I don't always understand the meanings of the songs and/or the analogies. But when I get that, it's truly awesome! It's a stunning and chilling kind of music and it's not wrongly named as one of the best CDs in the year 2012 on many critics' lists. A strong album, you definitely should check it out. Expand
  8. Nov 29, 2012
    7
    Not a big fan of Grizzly Bear , but this album is a strong , better then their previous albums. Its a 10 song track album. My opinion avoid Adelma. The hunt , and Sun in your eyes...the rest are strong tracks
  9. Nov 3, 2012
    9
    This was a pleasant surprise. An album that demands to be listened to many times to get its full clarity. A near perfect blend of pop and texture. My favorite songs are Speak in Rounds, Yet Again and Half Gate (a clear take off My Morning Jacket), but the others are great also. Like most, I believe this is their best and most creative effort.
  10. Oct 26, 2012
    8
    This is by far Grizzly Bear's best album to date. Shields shows another side to Grizzly Bear that is both unexpected, and absolutely enthralling. The musicianship is top-notch, the lyrics speak for themselves, and the vocals are wonderful. Almost all the tracks really stand-out. All In All, Shields is a great album that I recommend to anyone that appreciates great music. B+
  11. Oct 21, 2012
    8
    It's a much more structured album than Veckatimist, with more experimentation, less pop hooks, and a lot more layering in vocals and in instrumentation. It's one of the better albums of the year.
  12. Oct 14, 2012
    10
    Great album, one of the best this year so far. Very clean cut, smooth vibe to it, loved this album. Would definitely recommend it to anyone with a good taste in music.
  13. Sep 28, 2012
    10
    This album is really a milestone for Grizzly Bear. After listening, you can tell how much detail they went into the composing of all the instruments, as well as the production which makes this what it is, with probably the 2 most powerful songs which end up such a brilliant album.
  14. Sep 24, 2012
    9
    Shields is Grizzly Bear's fourth studio album and follow-up to their critically-acclaimed Veckatimest, which is among my top ten favorite albums and holds a score of 85/100 here on Metacritic.

    This album is much more raw and exposed, less perfect (intentionally) than Veckatimest. I would be stoked, therefore, to see it performed live. Shields brims with grit and energy, much unlike its
    Shields is Grizzly Bear's fourth studio album and follow-up to their critically-acclaimed Veckatimest, which is among my top ten favorite albums and holds a score of 85/100 here on Metacritic.

    This album is much more raw and exposed, less perfect (intentionally) than Veckatimest. I would be stoked, therefore, to see it performed live. Shields brims with grit and energy, much unlike its careful, thought-provoking predecessor. This is Physical Graffiti after Houses of the Holy.

    Shields feels much more collaborative than any of the previous albums. Whereas on other albums, it is clear which songs were written by Daniel Rossen and which by Ed Droste, it is not so distinct this time around. While each track's vocalist probably gives it away, there is a stylistic molding that makes Grizzly Bear feel more like a cohesive band. Ed sings tracks full of Daniel's broken rhythms, and Dan seems to have taken a slightly more melodic approach to songwriting. These guys are rubbing off on one another, which is a pleasure to hear.

    The album opens with "Sleeping Ute," a slightly aggressive, largely guitar-driven track, clearly written by Dan Rossen. It reminds me a ton of "Southern Point," the opener on Veckatimest. And it's an important song, because it sets the tone for the album. Rossen sounds utterly confused, hesitant to hold on to something he loves out of an arbitrary desire for independence. These feelings are amplified by the juxtaposition of his tentative vocal over an ever-exploding backdrop of bass and drums. "And I live to see your face, And I hate to see you go, But I know no other way, Than straight on out the door. And I can't help myself."

    "Speaking Rounds" follows the mellow close of "Ute" with a low-key but powerful opening. It then builds rather quickly to a surprising burst of energy, keeping this album moving forward rather than slowing it down. They bring in all the players here: plenty of background vocals, a horn section and a choir, bass fills and percussive jangle. It really starts to pop with authority, until the timer on the microwave is up and the pops start to dwindle. That's "Adelma": purely transitional, but entirely necessary to bridge the gap between "Rounds" and "Yet Again." It sets us back down from the high of "Rounds" so that we can appreciate the explosion of the album's masterpiece.

    Possibly my favorite Grizzly Bear track to date, "Yet Again" features Droste's most impressive and emotional vocal, better even than "Ready, Able," my favorite song off Veckatimest. But what is so great about this track is that, while beautiful and contemplative, it is driven ever forward by Chris Bear's percussive work. The orchestration is full, and the rhythms intertwine with a complexity that we have not yet seen from the band. The track comes to an epic close while Grizzly grooves on a heavy, disgruntled mess resembling the song's earlier motivations. I'm in disbelief.

    The next stretch of the album most closely resembles Veckatimest. A slow burner called "The Hunt" precedes "A Simple Answer," which is aptly named. And "What's Wrong" sounds like it could be a bonus track on the previous album.

    The next song, "gun-shy," is one of the catchiest on the album, which I didn't notice until I started singing it to myself on the streets and wondered, "what song is this?" It wasn't until then that I took the album for a second listen (this number has now neared fifteen, no joke) and realized that "gun-shy" is a masterwork of serenity. It's almost bubbly, a satirical introspective on the game of love. "Half Gate" is a powerhouse. It's the hesitant uplifter, the bridge reaching toward a conclusion that may or may not be on the other side.

    As the title suggests, "Sun in Your Eyes" is sort of that conclusion. Shields is an album about the complications of personal relationships. It's about the barriers we put between ourselves and other people, or between ourselves and our desires. We don't enjoy putting up walls; we wish we didn't have to, but we just do it, for reasons we can't really explain. We know we want something different, but we don't know what it is; it always seems to be whatever we don't currently have. "Sun in Your Eyes" is a complicated way of moving on. There's an uncertainty involved in moving toward the sun. The other side could be different, or it might be the same. You'll never know because the damn sun hurts your eyes. "So bright, so long, I'm never coming back."

    For more reviews on movies, TV, and music, see my blog at kofdrops.blogspot.com.
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  15. Sep 22, 2012
    8
    As a listener that is not a fan, because I never heard of them before, I very much enjoyed this record. Some parts were magical, it's definitely a very nice indie-sounding album with rock and roll touches.
  16. Sep 20, 2012
    9
    Great production, per usual. To me, it is "Veckatimest" but with out the classic "Two Weeks/Ready,Able," So I guess a 9 does it justice. Grizzly Bear did it again!
  17. Sep 19, 2012
    10
    For me, the efforts of this band cannot be downplayed or diminished. They are truly devoted to continual improvement, and this album is a testament to their creative capacity as well as their devotion to constantly make themselves better as a band. I might have listened to opener "Sleeping Ute" 10 times before it struck me what it is (or could be) all about, and the resonance it carried:For me, the efforts of this band cannot be downplayed or diminished. They are truly devoted to continual improvement, and this album is a testament to their creative capacity as well as their devotion to constantly make themselves better as a band. I might have listened to opener "Sleeping Ute" 10 times before it struck me what it is (or could be) all about, and the resonance it carried: Rossen, in a contented relationship, far gone, though his partner sleeps "nearer to me [him]" and if he could continue to lie still as that gray hill, he could remain in the relationship, but at a loss; at the sacrifice of opportunities to have "a long day, wandering free". And though he lives to see her face (read, possibly, superficial beauty) and hates to see her go (even though he'll be the one doing the leaving), in spite of comfort, he knows a life awaits him beyond, perhaps through the leaves, perhaps through the smoke that he witnesses so saliently as he lies collapsed on the stone he was "delivered" to in dream to contemplate the vagary (or perchance evolving change) of his present situation. Being true to himself, he knows no other way than to "walk on out the door" because he can't help himself. Previously, it was just a grand rocker with a second movement that expresses perhaps perfectly the calmness and clearness he finds on that rock. Yes, perhaps an overanalysis of one song on the album, but my experience with it speaks to the same effect all 10 songs on this album deliver. Some have called it a grower, but like the best GB songs, it opens up on first listen, then bouquets on repeated listens, just as a fine beloved wine is quaffable at first blush, and becomes something else towards the end of the second glass. The integrity of this effort cannot be diminished, and I'm cautiously optimistic that the publications that rated it with a high enough mark will revisit their sentiments come December, when the best-of lists are released and the finest album of the year is hailed. Sure, that Frank Ocean album...what was it called...was great at first listen, but will it rank the finest album of the year? It ought not to, for while it is an inspired effort, it is also limited by its lack of layers, and its lack of value on repeated listens. There is so much to peel back on Shields, and while I am encouraged by the initial glowing reviews, I believe we have to put all in perspective to realize the sheer strength of this album, given the great expectations that surely would have been placed upon it. It is a Herculean labour to follow up a stellar album like Veckatimest, and the band pulled through, by being perfectionistic, by striving for higher ground, and achieving it. Despite my love for Half Gate, Yet Again and a few other standouts on the album, as a music lover with a deep interest in jazz (and a deep contempt of jazz that aspires to be rock -- oh how many failed attempts that has rendered), Grizzly Bear actually pulled it off with What's Wrong. Listen to the tonal complexity. Listen to the chords. Listen to that Horace Silveresque coda. And recall that the track still embodies all of rock's core competencies, and nothing but amazement and reverie ought to befall. If MetaCritic users could do decimals (unless there's something I'm missing), I would put this at a 9.6 or 9.7 given there are slight imperfections (don't even get me started on MBDTF, which would have earned a great ranking, but was not inherently perfect), but I have to round up, I guess :) Regardless, it might not be for everyone, but musically, lyrically, it is brilliant and a masterpiece. Good work, guys. Can't believe this all began with Droste recording tracks simply "for friends" in his mother's place. Collapse
  18. Sep 19, 2012
    8
    Is it Veckatimest? No, not quite. But Grizzly Bear's ability to go from minimalist to crashing crescendo remains at the very heart of a solid album - one that may be one of the best so far in 2012.
  19. Sep 19, 2012
    9
    Grizzly Bear's new album 'Shields' is a strong release full of unique and dynamic tracks that pushes the mood of the record and does it in a terrific way, there are times where the groups switch from their progressive folk roots and combined it with baroque touches. It makes it appealing to the listener and unlike their other albums, this one is the best and is bring that sensibility to it.
  20. Sep 19, 2012
    9
    It's certainly another impressive album from one of the most creative bands in the indie scene. The melodies are outstanding, the album production is better than Veckatemist. I have to admit that I didn't like 2 of the 10 tracks. But still, they are **** awesome!!!!!
  21. Sep 18, 2012
    10
    10/10 best new grizzly bear. boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
  22. Sep 18, 2012
    9
    This is the third album of the best rock band in the world. Their music is still as resonant and inventive as ever. There's nothing quite like them in the anglo-saxon indie scene. They established their caliber in the previous two albums, but this one goes still further in embodying who Grizzly Bear are. If you haven't enjoyed their previous efforts you will demur falling in love withThis is the third album of the best rock band in the world. Their music is still as resonant and inventive as ever. There's nothing quite like them in the anglo-saxon indie scene. They established their caliber in the previous two albums, but this one goes still further in embodying who Grizzly Bear are. If you haven't enjoyed their previous efforts you will demur falling in love with this; the music is still too idyosincratic, even though people keep liking them to led zeppelin, which is one of the most popular bands among all rock devotees. Actually they do share zeppelin's craft, but exceed them in sophistication and divergence.
    9/10.
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Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Nov 30, 2012
    100
    It's the construction of it all that's so perfect: that the music can follow, this time, but still be what Grizzly Bear are all about.
  2. 90
    Although Veckatimest might be more of an emotionally-driven album, Shields continues to showcase a band that is somehow--as good as they currently are--simply getting better and better, regardless of the location, the circumstances, regardless of the schedules.
  3. Oct 25, 2012
    78
    More than anything, Shields feels like a deliberate maturation of Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, trading adolescent angst for an older disillusion and heartbreak. The same tension exists between the two, especially in swelling closers "Half Gate" and "Sun in Your Eyes," yet here, they're more intricately expressed and controlled.