Hospice (album)


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Hospice is the critically acclaimed third studio album by American indie rock group The Antlers, and their first concept album. It was initially self-distributed by the band in March 2009, and was eventually remastered and re-released once they signed to Frenchkiss Records in August.[10][11]

Untitled

Hospice tells the story of an emotionally abusive relationship, explained through the analogy of a hospice worker and terminally-ill patient. Frontman Peter Silberman has been reticent to divulge explicit details regarding the meaning of the record, and the extent to which it is autobiographical.[6]

Reception

The album has generated very positive reviews. Pitchfork Media endorsed the re-release of Hospice with their "Best New Music" stamp.[6][12] At the end of the year, the same publication named it the 37th best album of 2009, praising its "power to emotionally destroy listeners."[13] Fan review sites like Rate Your Music and Amazon MP3 have placed the album in its list of Top 10 Albums of 2009. Popular music blog 20 Watts gave it a rating of 18/20 Watts and praised the album's "realism and its sadness, found in its most abrasive lyrics and most expressive instrumental segments."[14] NPR Music placed the album in the #1 position for their Top 10 of 2009 list.[15] Onethirtybpm named it the best album of 2009.[16] Rhapsody online deemed it the 24th best album of 2009.[17]

Singles

The first single was "Bear" in April 2009 to promote the self-released version of Hospice. "Two" was the first single released commercially as a digital download in June 2009. The song's music video features a combination of photography and cutout animation, and was directed by Ethan Segal and Albert Thrower.[18] In the United Kingdom, "Bear" was released on 7" vinyl on November 16, 2009, featuring an exclusive remix of "Bear" by Darby Cicci on the B-side.[19] Additionally, an exclusive live recording of "Sylvia" at The Orchard in New York City was released as a download on November 17, 2009.[20] "Sylvia" was issued as the third proper single on March 22, 2010. A music video was produced for the song, directed by Trey Hock, and premiered on the IFC's website on April 15, 2010.[21]

Track listing

All songs written by Peter Silberman.

  1. "Prologue" – 2:35
  2. "Kettering" – 5:10
  3. "Sylvia" – 5:27
  4. "Atrophy" – 7:40
  5. "Bear" – 3:54
  6. "Thirteen" – 3:11
  7. "Two" – 5:56
  8. "Shiva" – 3:45
  9. "Wake" – 8:44
  10. "Epilogue" – 5:25

Release history

Country Date Label Format Catalogue #
United States March 23, 2009 The Antlers Music CD 7 26167-4620-2 3
August 18, 2009 Frenchkiss Records CD (remastered) FKR041-2
LP FKR041-1
United Kingdom October 19, 2009 Frenchkiss/Studio !K7 CD FK041CD

Credits

Personnel
  • Peter Silberman – vocals, guitar, accordion, harmonica, harp, keyboards
  • Darby Cicci – trumpet, bowed banjo
  • Michael Lerner – drums, percussion
  • Justin Stivers – bass
  • Sharon Van Etten – vocals on "Thirteen"
Production
  • Recorded at Watcher's Woods, Brooklyn
  • Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
  • Artwork by Zan Goodman
  • Design by Darby Cicci

References

  1. ^ Lymangrover, Jason. accessdate=1 July 2010 "Hospice - Overview". ;
  2. ^ Skinner, James. date=21 December 2009 "BBC - Music - Review of The Antlers - Hospice". Retrieved 1 July 2010. ;
  3. ^ Shapiro, Ari (29 July 2009). "LAS magazine - Reviews". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  4. ^ Kantor, Matthew (4 March 2009). "Brooklyn's Antlers Aim Loss Toward the Stars". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  5. ^ Holden, Elizabeth (2 September 2009). "The Antlers - Hospice". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Howe, Brian (4 August 2009). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: The Antlers: Hospice". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  7. ^ Gonzales, Matt (20 August 2009). "The Antlers: Hospice". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Joshuatree", Cam (10 March 2009). "The Antlers - Hospice Review". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  9. ^ a b c Hemmerling, Joe. "The Antlers - Hospice - Music Review". Retrieved 1 July 2010. Cite error: The named reference "TMT" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Interview with Peter Silberman" Retrieved on July 4, 2009.
  11. ^ "The Antlers: An Album Review" Retrieved on July 4, 2009.
  12. ^ "Pitchfork track review" Retrieved on July 4, 2009.
  13. ^ "Pitchfork: Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2009"
  14. ^ "20 Watts Album Review" Retrieved on August 26, 2009.
  15. ^ "NPR: 2009 already better than 2008" Retrieved on July 4, 2009.
  16. ^ "onethirtybpm: The Top 50 Albums of 2009" Retrieved on January 11, 2010.
  17. ^ The 25 Best Albums of 2009 Referenced July 31, 2010
  18. ^ "ChartAttack" Retrieved on August 19, 2009.
  19. ^ Antlers, The - Bear (7") at Discogs
  20. ^ Amazon.com: Sylvia: Live at The Orchard NYC: The Antlers: MP3 Downloads
  21. ^ Exclusive! Video premiere: The Antlers' "Sylvia" + free EP!