Born Under Saturn proves Django Django still has all their ducks in a row three years after their debut self-titled record. They’re still making music as well-suited to dance clubs as to solitary psychedelic journeying.
It definitely ain’t perfect, then, but in concocting a scrubbed-up, carefully wrought maturation of their sound, Born Under Saturn gives us something close to Django Django unchained.
Born Under Saturn is an album of ambition, and while the gaffes certainly hold it back, there are enough good ideas crammed in throughout, making the album a worthy trip to a spacey dancehall.
This album is brilliant and arguably tops their debut album - which says a lot! Shake and Tremble, Pause Repeat, Reflections and First LightThis album is brilliant and arguably tops their debut album - which says a lot! Shake and Tremble, Pause Repeat, Reflections and First Light are my favourite tracks on the album but every single song on the album is good. The album is an absolute joy to listen to. I would highly recommend, faultless in my opinion.…Expand
It's just pure art. Maybe even better than their first album. Every track is so well produced and with so many details. I gotta admit DjangoIt's just pure art. Maybe even better than their first album. Every track is so well produced and with so many details. I gotta admit Django Django is one of my favorite bands of all time and I honestly hope, they'll come to Denmark pretty soon. :-) Their music is so god damned addictive and infectious!! Folktronica FTW! :D…Expand
I'll admit it: when I read a negative or mixed review of an album I enjoy, it sometimes makes me reconsider a bit. Maybe I was too obliviousI'll admit it: when I read a negative or mixed review of an album I enjoy, it sometimes makes me reconsider a bit. Maybe I was too oblivious to how derivative it was, or maybe my overall taste in music is flat out not that great- I will think to myself. Yes, this is somewhat pathetic, but I think it's probably a normal human psychological response.
I mention this tendency of mine because in the case of Born Under Saturn (and the kinda muted critical reaction to it), my response has been uncharacteristic: I simply do not give a **** what anyone else says. This album has some of the catchiest, most beautiful and playful hooks and harmonies of anything I've heard in recent memory, and all I feel is gratitude that I can listen to it whenever I want. If you're on the fence about giving this a listen, don't listen to the whiny hipsters on Pitchfork and the like and just go for it.
To be entirely fair, not every track here is a homerun. But worst tracks here are fine, just not that catchy or memorable. There are lots of highlights, however. My favorites: "Shake And Tremble", "Found You", "Reflections", "Break The Glass", and "Life We Know"…Expand
The touches of brilliance on this album and a couple of sublime songs more than compensate for the less successful tracks. When it reallyThe touches of brilliance on this album and a couple of sublime songs more than compensate for the less successful tracks. When it really works (Shake and Tremble, Pause Repeat, Beginning to Fade, 4000 Years), and the lads reel in their odd bit of aural self-indulgence, the blending of genres is masterful. It's like Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks time-travelled to Manchester in the 90s, and hooked up with a Devo covers band. Give it a listen. Why ? Because I, anonymous internet reviewer, say so.…Expand
(Six and a half, but I'll give it the edge here because I can't specify to that high a level.) Admittedly I'd give this a much higher score if(Six and a half, but I'll give it the edge here because I can't specify to that high a level.) Admittedly I'd give this a much higher score if it weren't for their incredible debut. Compare it to that and this album just sounds a little too polished, less inventive and overall not as entertaining. The bedroom feel added something unique to the debut and that's lost here. But as much as I like long albums that contain good ideas, this album would be a lot better without some of the clear filler (4000 Years and Break the Glass mainly, High Moon is a runner-up but it's fine enough to keep it there).
That's not to say this album is bad, not at all. It's just a bit of a letdown and not extremely impressive, but there is some great stuff on here (Giant, First Light, Pause Repeat, Reflections and Beginning to Fade stand out), some of the melodies are classic Django Django material and undeniably impressive and all throughout this record is a good listen. It's just overshadowed by what it could've been, and that's a shame.…Expand
Django Django really do bridge a gap between electronic and indie genres with 'Born Under Saturn', an invigorating and interesting new album.Django Django really do bridge a gap between electronic and indie genres with 'Born Under Saturn', an invigorating and interesting new album. Infused with a jangling vocal and a synth backdrop, tracks such as 'First Light' and euphoric closer 'Life We Know' give the record real lift, although the album is arguably too long and diluted by less impactful tracks to really pack the punch it might otherwise do.…Expand
After such an amazing debut you'd expect Django Django to release something, well, just as amazing. Instead they released Born Under Saturn,After such an amazing debut you'd expect Django Django to release something, well, just as amazing. Instead they released Born Under Saturn, which is in no way bad, rather it is simply sub-par when compared to their earlier work. This album seems to fit more aptly as an EP of b-sides from their debut sessions, with a very similar sound this album doesn't really do anything interesting or captivating, they seem to be following a formula for their music; and while that has worked in the past it is simply getting bland, Django Django needs to add some new sounds to their repertoire of synths. This album is still very fun to listen to, certainly worth checking out - just a little underwhelming as a follow up.…Expand
