American Dream

1. NeutralMilkH

   Sep 1, 2017

   10

   oh baby-9.5/10
   other voices-10/10
   i used to-9.5/10 change yr mind-10/10 how do you sleep-10/10 tonite-9.5/10 call the police-10/10oh baby-9.5/10
   other voices-10/10
   i used to-9.5/10
   change yr mind-10/10
   how do you sleep-10/10
   tonite-9.5/10
   call the police-10/10
   american dream-10/10
   emotional haircut-9.5/10
   black screen-10/10
   
   Consensus: 10/10 or 9.8/10, originally I wrote a bigger review describing what makes each of the songs individually great when I accidentally deleted my essay... so I'm just going to do this quick summary instead. This album contains extremely haunting tracks from oh baby to black screen, and also contains amazing dance pieces such as tonite and other voices, let alone outstanding rock tracks such as call the police and emotional haircut. My point is, that this album has an amazing amount of variety for an extremely consistent work. The lyrics tell outstanding stories of love and regret, and ultimately about obsession (especially with the internet and drugs.) James' vocals are truly powerful and I never wanted this album to end despite the fact that it's over an hour long. Please listen to this album, it's too damn good to be passed aside. My favorite lyric: **** the shuffle, put this **** on repeat.… Expand

   • 7 of 8 users found this helpful
2. Jaime3001

   Sep 1, 2017

   10

   If You can really see how time has taken its time in James Murphy and his music, but in a good way. Using a lot of themes related to death,If You can really see how time has taken its time in James Murphy and his music, but in a good way. Using a lot of themes related to death, age, and change, Murphy has made ANOTHER great LCD Soundsystsem, both musically and lyrically. Even if one has too much high hopes, this album doesn't disapoints in any way.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
4. Pericowsky

   Oct 1, 2017

   10

   The least happy album of the band, I must say one of the best records of the year, as Peter Murphy manages to give us those sounds that areThe least happy album of the band, I must say one of the best records of the year, as Peter Murphy manages to give us those sounds that are needed today. I perceive great influences of Joy Division and Talking Heads.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
5. mikeoley13

   Sep 1, 2017

   9

   I'm not going to say it's perfect, but it's damn close. If Sound of Silver is LCD's perfect party album, then this is its brooding darkerI'm not going to say it's perfect, but it's damn close. If Sound of Silver is LCD's perfect party album, then this is its brooding darker brother. James clearly went through some **** during the bands 5 year hiatus, and he has poured his soul out onto this record. I was worried about this release and couldn't be happier that the band went in a new direction yet still maintaining all the good qualities that make them special.
   
   Highlights: Oh Baby, Other Voices, I Used To, Tonite, American Dream and How Do You Sleep? How Do You Sleep? might be the best thing James has ever created. If you're a fan then you should be welcome this addition to their existing catalog. If you're new, there's a lot of interesting ideas going on in this album that may catch your attention. If you're a lover of synths then go to listen to this album NOW.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. CPaccini

   Sep 1, 2017

   9

   Everything James Murphy seemed to be poking fun at in the previous LCD projects has resurfaced on this album but in a much darker and moreEverything James Murphy seemed to be poking fun at in the previous LCD projects has resurfaced on this album but in a much darker and more serious way. Mostly themes like personal relationships are dark realizations masked as fun and beautiful electronic/pop-rock tracks, almost as if Murphy has become less naive with his age. Of course, on top of the dense lyrical content is an immaculately mastered musical experience that we've come to expect from LCD Soundsystem.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. Ricko

   Apr 1, 2018

   8

   A solid comeback that fits in well with LCD's back catalog which is a huge success when taken in context. Opener "Oh Baby" and its buildingA solid comeback that fits in well with LCD's back catalog which is a huge success when taken in context. Opener "Oh Baby" and its building nature bring "Dance Yrself Clean" to mind. "I Used To" and "How Do You Sleep" are others that hark back to the bands peak moment. There's a fair bit of fresh experimentation to be found as well resulting in a rewarding listening experience. Some of the best percussion and synth work around is on show here and Murphy's trademark style should bring in a few new fans as well as delighting longtime fans.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. EludiumQ36

   Sep 3, 2017

   3

   Note that I'm not a core-fan of LCDSS, so this isn't going to be a 9/10 rating like the others. It's very hard to rate music like this, so I'mNote that I'm not a core-fan of LCDSS, so this isn't going to be a 9/10 rating like the others. It's very hard to rate music like this, so I'm just going to rate its effect on me and the likelihood for me to buy it and/or recommend it. I've read several industry pub reviews on the album so I'd have some frame of reference for evaluating. Most, if not all, praise the new effort, but I find it hard to listen to. It uses a lot of noisy, rhythmic drumming with discordant strings so it comes off as audibly offensive. As such, most of this is listen once and forget, you're not going to playlist any of this. Only three tracks - oh baby, call the police and american dream - are even close to radio friendly and at 6+ mins each they'd have to be cut and re-pkg'ed for radio. As with industry pubs, I did detect a lot of musical/rhythm influence from the 80s, and in a few cases the Talking Heads in particular, though I think "oh baby" recalls Spandau Ballet. Also, most if not all these tracks would've sounded better, been more tolerable with a soft female vocalist. Lead singer James Murphy just doesn't have an attractive vocal style at all and his falsetto in "american dream" was just labored. Why not use a female's vocal talent, especially after a 7yr break? Vulture.com noted that Murphy had a stated fear about LCD being overdue for a flop after three sterling studio albums. "American Dreams" might be that flop, won't buy/recommend.… Expand

   • 2 of 17 users found this helpful

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