Album Rating: 5.0

One of the users here - I forget exactly who - has a screen shot of it. The progression was something like 4.9 across 50, 4.7 across 100, settled at a 4.4 before the allegations, spiraled to a 4 a few weeks after said accusations, now it has clawed back to a 4.1.



I think this will inevitably drop too but at might as well enjoy the hype train for now.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Seeing all these 5s and 4.5s is wonderful!

Doof will soon be on this with 34 alts

Album Rating: 5.0

Currently trying to create a reasonably smooth blend of the LP and EP and it's basically impossible. I think they have to be enjoyed as separate entities.

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Agree Sowing, the two have such different sounds. What I did discover is thst the ep works brilliantly as both a prelude and an epilogue to the record.

Album Rating: 4.5

the guitar in Hydra is so tasty

Album Rating: 5.0

OK so this isn't the worst thing:

1.) 9:27a.m., 7/29

2.) Julia (or, ‘Holy to the LORD’ on the Bells of Horses)

3.) August 6th

4.) Another Head for Hydra

5.) [dormouse sighs]

6.) Winter Solstice [pick your preferred version]

7.) Dirty Air

8.) Flee, Thou Matadors!

9.) Bethlehem, WV

10.) Tortoises All the Way Down

11.) 2,459 Miles

12.) Wendy & Betsy

13.) New Wine, New Skins

14.) Cities of the Plain

15.) Existential Dread, Six Hours' Time

16.) Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore

17.) Break on Through (to the Other Side) [pt. Two]

18.) Kristy W/ The Sparkling Teeth

Things get crazy ambient from tacks 14-16, overall it never really loses its flow. I still stand by the notion that they're best experienced separately (hence why the band released them as such), but this is an enjoyable blend for those mwY superfans who want to hear the moments all blur together without ruining the flow. I imagine that had they combined it into one release, they might have done something remarkably close to what I have outlined above.

Album Rating: 5.0

once it drops on iTunes, I’ll definitely be setting up a good playlist just for that

Holy fucking shit, a 4.5 average. @_@

Album Rating: 4.0

That's not a bad playlist at all, Sowing. But I do agree that the two apart is probably the best way to enjoy them.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

This might be my pick for the best album of the decade lol nbd (I say this after like 2 months of listening, so not a snap judgement)

Album Rating: 5.0

I don’t know Freddie, this band called Swans kinda got back together.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

The Seer is overrated and To Be Kind isn't as good as this, nor is My Father..., which is actually my favorite post-reunion album of theirs

Album Rating: 5.0

You and your differing opinions! *waves fist*

Album Rating: 5.0

Also, I love it when people combine two related works to make a fake track list but I think i’m vehemently against Flee Thou Matadors and Tortoise being split up by Bethlehem, WV, kinda kills off the tension, and ending the record with Kristy really blunts the thematical conclusion of the record.



But fuck it, i’ll probably try it one of these days.

Album Rating: 5.0

I know what you mean but it's hard to use every track without disrupting momentum somewhere. I think Kristy is a beautiful track to close things out even if it feels a bit ADD; then again it wouldn't have been any better in the middle somewhere.

Album Rating: 5.0

If I had to combine them I would have to leave out Kristy. Nothing against it, but it feels really distinct from everything else.

Album Rating: 5.0

Distinct but also the best from the EP...

Album Rating: 4.5

Decided, after a decade or so of lurking and enjoying all the reviews and comments you people make, I should get involved. I guess it's thanks to this magnificent album inspiring me.



First, congrats on the truly excellent review, Sowing. Did wonders for getting us all excited while waiting for the stream.



A few of my takeaways from the album:



The whole middle section is the high point for me. And not because I'm averse to heavy music - the opposite is true in fact. I think it's because I had listened to Julia and Hydra a bit too much and I seem to be in the minority in thinking the opening track here is directionless and dull. It's a mere shadow of what Wendy & Betsy achieves, in my opinion. I think back to other mwY album openers, and 9:27 is weak by comparison. Call me crazy! Maybe it'll grow on me.



That middle section is just bursting with interesting lyrics/melodies/dynamics.

Maybe I'm alone here, but the instrumentation of[dormouse sighs] even reminds me a little of Godspeed/Mt. Zion, or perhaps the Red Sparowes debut. Something about the ominous chords and propulsive rhythm...will be good for long train journeys in a storm.



I see people disliking the chorus to Flee. I wasn't sold on it on first listen, but the way that the second chorus greatly expands on the first, relatively simplistic chorus is really intricate and beautiful. The tunefulness and breeziness of the chorus also provides some welcome respite at the album's midpoint. And, Tortoises is stunning, as is New Wine, New Skins.



Not as huge a fan of Michael as most of you, it seems, but I definitely enjoy it. Anyway, looking forward to seeing more of the comments. This thread has become a daily browse for me, and many of you I assume.



Fantastic album...in the top 3 mwY albums I reckon, once it has had time to grow a little more. Will probably go and 4.5 this.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Welcome bud! Great discussion, happy to see ya here