Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Bland, easily forgettable. In fact, I already forgot
I was excited to see that I'd be listening to an indie rock/art pop album, but as soon as I heard that voice, my joy quickly turned to disappointment. This guy's voice can be good when he wants, but everything falls apart when he starts singing in falsetto. It really sucks. I like the instrumentation here, but the vocals ruin it. The lyrics on this, as well, are straight-ass. I know kids that aren't even in high school that can write better shit than this. "My boot, my boot, my boot, my boot up your asshole" is how I feel about this album. Best - All The King's Men and Two Dancers (i) Worse - The Fun Powder Plot, Hooting and Howling, and much more that I don't care to list. 2.25-2.50/5
The music beneath the vocals sounds amazing. Really cool drum stuff. But the extreme vibrato is not helping anything; it's extremely distracting. All the King's Men sounds like the band "Battles." Kinda makes me want to listen to them instead, since they don't have any singers as such.
This is not modest mouse. Vocals are awful, too high and too low pitched.
I believe that it's the kind of music from the 2000s that was made to win prizes and not to be enjoyable. "Indie rock" used in its worst connotation.
Didn't really understand this album at all. Mostly inoffensive but bad, although there were a lot of parts that were miserable to listen to. Giving this 2 stars but it's really close to 1.
Music is OK. Vocals are dreadful. Very sure way to alienate your audience is by singing in a goofy falsetto.
It definitely picked up for me on the back half, but this just isn’t for me. This is one of those albums where I respect it more than I like it. Cool atmospherics in here, and some genuinely enjoyable songs, but it hovers too much in the same low key tempo. And that falsetto singing voice is the definition of an acquired taste
Odd vocals. Good voice, but doesn’t fit the music.
Never heard of this before. Not sure if it’s a valid “album you must hear before you die”, but it was fine
Didn't like vocals and bit samey. More like indie cock
damn. another boring ass album.
I didn't like the lead singer's voice and didn't care much for the songwriting
The first track of this album absolutely blew to listen to after listening to yesterdays Johnny Cash album this morning. The vocals on this one are sung like he's scared his mom is going to walk in on him recording. This might clear a 2-3 as an instrumental album, or w/o the falsetto. shit had me neither hooting nor howling. I don't like their fence sitting on Two Dancers either, just pick one or make it one track. they play back to back. smdh
Decent instrumentals but the vocals made the album unlistenable
This is, respectfully, not for me.
This era of bland ass big stage indie was 100% the reason I got back into punk and hardcore after a few years of doing cocaine and listening to Ed Banger Records. To quote the immortal Jay Sherman: "It Stinks!"
it sounds like arcade fire but frontman is taking a tricky shit
UK indie shit, not good
awful fluffy
Holy shit this is so fun! I love how the atmospheric, groovy, droney instrumentals complement the at times weird, messy yet enchanting vocals. Definitely not for everyone but I enjoyed this "background music". A 4.5 but I'm rounding it up to 5
Echt goed album damn
This album was a great find. This band seems to be all The xx always wanted to be. Ironically enough, those won the Mercury Price in 2009 and not Wild Beasts which have a lot more too offer. The music is more interesting, the vocal range higher. There's just a lot more going on. It can also work as good background music if you are not into demystify those lyrics.
First minute of song one I thought I'm going to hate this one. End of the song, total turnaround. I've hated many singers with the dramatic wandering up and down all over their massive vocal ranges, but turns out I'm on the Hayden Thorpe fan club side. Love the music, love the over top lyrics that match the over the top voice.
Reminiscent of Klaus Nomi in places. Giving it five stars because it is well done, but it's not my cup of tea.
wait i loved it
One of my favourite groups of the last 20 years, and most of that is down to this album. From the hypnotic opening beats, to the weaving vocals of Tom and Hadyn flying from falsetto to baritone in a moment, to the lyrics often focussing on broken, violent masculinity; all delivered with maximal, slyly hilarious wordplay, that occasionally pulls words from the English language that have barely been used in a hundred years or so. Sublime, romantic, ridiculous and repulsive. To quote the band themselves "Equally elegant and ugly". Magical.
Exceptional album.
i love wild beasts
Absolute perfection
This is what I was after !!! A great discovery - sadly disbanded but awesome.
Cool
Really loved this but never heard of them before. Nice find!
So pleased this on here. An under rated gem
♥️👍
Интересный арт-поп и инди-рок. Понравились одноименные с альбомом композиции.
for about 45 minutes, I think I must have felt how Peyton in OTH felt about music... and especially this genre... oh! how lovely it would be to have this record playing on a turntable, with my webcam on, drawing a page of a comic book about high-school and the struggles of being popular and emo🧡💔
Me soprendió muchísimo. No conocía a los Wild Beasts y su sonido me pareció genial, muy experimental, muy poderoso y siempre sorprendente. En general todos los tracks me parecieron muy buenos, pero ese último, qué volón de cabeza. Increible disco.
Pretty good. Voice was different for Indie music but good.
Very fun listen
I am not sure what it is, but I am a bit of a sucker for the neo-lounge singer types. I am not sure this is totally a 5 star album, but I am trying not to regress to the middle with all my rating and give out more on both sides of the spectrum. And I thought this was very fun and silly and awesome.
Perfect album! IMHO, the second part of album is much better than the first one!
I loved it! Never heard of these guys but really cool sound, would definitely listen again
Wow!!
I love albums like this. Really sets a mood and makes for such a good listening experience.
There's some lows, but this was a great album to put on at work. I think I will revisit, which is reason enough to give it a 5
9.5/10
Why tf this slap so hard??? Like damn! I'm sorry Wild Beasts, I thought this was gonna be garbage.
Surprised at how much I liked this one. Will definitely have to check out the rest of their stuff. Rating: 4.6
Really cool Ethereal and dreamy sounds to me. I'd put this on in a heartbeat.
Complex with a good bop. What I hear when I'm still dancing at 3am
They came up with a fun concept and implemented it well. Some alternative albums give me the impression that the artist is taking things music a bit too seriously. I don't have this problem with this record (this is, of course, very subjective). Also, love the chill new wave vibes.
omg love love love
I love this. Fantastic melodies and vibes. Right at home on an indie soundtrack.
I love this a lot. Definitely going to listen to more from them.
I thought this was really good.
Super cool, gave me an Arcade Fire vibe. I was not as put off by the vocals as others were, especially towards the end of the album, but that’s just one of those intangible elements.
Just my kinds of tunes
Excitingly pleasant!
4.5 - what a fantastic, crazy, inventive record. I love albums that could be no one else.
80/100. Wild Beasts aren't interested in sounding like everyone else. The singing is a huge part of that. The theatrical vocals could easily be divisive, but for me they add character and emotion to the songs. Combined with the instrumentation, they help create a dreamlike atmosphere that becomes more absorbing as the album progresses. The middle of the album through to the end is genuinely excellent. The album explores what happens when people are drawn toward one another by forces they don't fully understand. In a way, that theme mirrors the music itself. Two Dancers often feels guided more by instinct than convention. The songs take unusual paths, the vocals challenge expectations and the arrangements frequently avoid obvious choices. Two dancers rarely move in exactly the same way. The magic is that they still find the same rhythm.
Muy interesante
really nice, liked it a lot!
Another one of those bands I've never heard of that hit me in a good way.
Huh, wow. Never heard of this band, but has very familiar vibes
Very atmospheric and carefully crafted.
The instrumental few minutes made me very excited, especially after being subjected to so much 60s and 70s rock. The vocals weren't my thing, but I still found the whole album more enjoyable than the bluesy jams this 1001 list is full of.
Interesting...unique...but overall enjoyable and fun techno-beats.
This one was very different from what usually catches my ears, but it really had me hooked the entire time. I think the two singers' voices were odd, but they fit the music very well!
I've listened to these guys before, but this is my first time with this album. Right out the gate, I was hooked on the opening groove, but then the vocals come in and I'm not sure how I feel about them. Excellent music and then these non-sensical lyrics and a voice that sounds completely detached from everything else going on (both rhythmically and in the mix). And that's pretty much the whole album... Wonderful music that's groovy, atmospheric, well produced and vibey, paired up with singer Hayden Thorpe's haunting falsetto vocals bouncing between staccato gibberish and droning "oohs". Then there's songs like "Two Hearts I & II", where bassist Tom Fleming takes a turn on lead vocals and the songs are so much better for it. Flemings vocals and delivery feel like such a better fit to the music and I wonder how the rest of this album if he was the lead singer for all of these songs. I mean, keep everything else the same, including the occasional out of sync lyrics, but maybe that would be what gets this into rotation for me. Favorite songs: Two Hearts I, Two Hearts II, Empty Nest
The instrumentals and percussion had me in from beginning to end. The voice reminded me of Anohni, whom I love, so that was only a bonus. Captivating listen!
ненавязчиво
This is the kind of new wave-meets-oughts-hipster stuff I'd usually tend to hate, but there's something about the sounds in this that appears to me. I get why a lot of people reviewing hate this--the guy's voice, the pretension--but also kind of dig parts of it. Trust me, nobody is more surprised than I am about this opinion. 4/5
So I was expecting something terrible when I started reading the reviews for this album but as I listened I was pleasantly surprised. Sure the first song isn’t the best and the singer’s falsetto isn’t great. But once you get past those songs I heard what sounded like other albums that were out at that time like the XX. I enjoyed the music and some of the songs were really good. I can understand the praise.
Right from the opening of the album, the percussion was a main standout for me, really pushing the tracks forward. I was very surprised when the vocals came in… I still don’t know whether that was a good thing at the time. It definitely made my listening experience of ‘The Fun Powder Plot’ interesting, as I didn’t know what to expect from the rest of the album. I have to admit, the lyrics are definitely out there, but I still had fun listening to them. I can see how the vocals would definitely be disliked by some, and I am surprised that I wasn’t one of these people, but I just think in their own weird way, they work with the tracks really well. I also have to mention the track ‘Underbelly’; I really enjoyed the instrumental of this track, from the piano at the start, leading into the pitched percussion at the end, ringing the notes out in a sort of ‘eerie’ tone. I also think it was just a very random, out-there track that I enjoyed listening to. Some of the tracks, however, felt a bit long and boring… they ended up droning on with no real hook or interesting part to listen to. With no real shift in between songs, it starts to all blend, leaving you wanting slightly more variation within the tracks. I also feel like ‘Two Dancers (i)’ was one of the weakest tracks on the whole album, luckily having ‘Two Dancers (ii)’ be slightly stronger and pulling it back… however, you would think with it being the title track that it would be the most memorable or experimental song, but it just left me feeling a bit empty. I think that ‘All The King’s Men’ was a better track to have the album named after, or even ‘This Is Our Lot’, as they stood out much more. (3.5 stars, so I will round it up to 4|0. Favourites: Underbelly All The King’s Men This Is Our Lot Empty Nest
Actually pretty nice.
Indie rock with dreamy guitars, interesting rhythms and falsetto vocals. On paper it's not what I usually like but some of the songs were really catchy. All The King's Men and We've Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues in particular were great.
Indie rock with pleasant androgynous vocals. I usually dislike this kind of singing, but I like how the vocals do not sound like a midpoint between male and female, but rather switch back and forth between both styles.
Surprisingly nice to listen to. I really enjoyed the chilled vibe.
Pretty nice.
I like Wild Beasts and this is good, as is Smother which also could have made this list. The vocals and lyrics are borderline silly but I like them and not many bands sound like this. Not 5* because the highlights of the album are the first few tracks and it's less strong after that
I found Wild Beasts album Two Dancers quite pleasant to listen to. It was a first listen for me. From beginning to end it was perfect for a morning espresso chilling with Swift. While watching the chickadees outside.
Kom skemmtilega á óvart. Mjög gott stöff. Ótrúlegt raddsvið hjá söngvaranum.
no los conocía, me gusto mucho.
Enjoyable.
It’s difficult to produce songs with surreal quirky lyrics that one can sing along too, but Wild Beasts mange are up there with bands like Sparks or Noel Fielding’s “The Loose Tapestries” Two dancers sounds like Sparks with out the pomp or bombast , but still managing to be brilliant. If sparks, with their distinct show-tune inspiration to their pop, are the kids from the fame school the Wild Beasts are the goth kids bunking off school and drinking cider in the park .
They dancin'
It is a nice atmospherically album, it transcends you in it's world 4/5
a wonderful time, scratches my brain in just the right way. its got this proto alt-j wispiness over some wacky but simple rhythms, really comes together. theres a couple of skips but whats left is pretty unique and very enjoyable. favorite song is Through The Iron Gate, or Hooting & Howling
Damn son I lowkey really like this. The vocals are strong while allllllmost verging on cheesy, the instrumentation is pretty great (I love the booming drums and bongos and random other little stuff), the songs went in random directions while simultaneously keeping the album pretty solid. It was so fun and interesting that it squeaked out a 4 star, well done 7.6/10
An unexpected good album from a bad I’ve never heard of!
Bom disco com proposta que foge do óbvio
One of the highs I’m always chasing in music is the thrill of hearing something new. I remember hearing this album when it came out and going, “Whoa! Here’s something I’ve never heard before!” The music is equal parts seductive and strange. Sleek, 80s pop inspired indie with a prog-rock vibe and a smooth, polished production. Of course, those falsetto vocals are the main draw. They’re so dramatic and flamboyant and theatrical. They draw attention to themselves like a spotlight on a dark stage. The second vocalist in the band has an amazing voice too! He’s got such a nice, silky, deep timbre. I love a band with two distinct lead singers. Such a cool move. Really good indie rock album and a fun choice to include on this list. This is such a gorgeous and memorable album cover too. I think the band found the perfect visual match for their cool, sexy, strange sound with this art.
Interesting urban outfitters music
Pretty chill, easy going indy rock. The vocals took a bit of getting used to, but not bad overall.
Fun and funky
I bought it. They sound like Elbow, which is a fine thing to be
I dismissed this on first listen, but giving it a second chance it grew on me a lot. Top track: through the iron gate
Very beautiful album with a unique sound.
4/5
Blast from the past. Alt for længe siden jeg har hørt den her
Una grata sorpresa, por momentos me recordaba a Jeff Buckley pero con un sintetizador
Wow! This album was pleasantly surprising, also nice to have a more recent album for a change. Each song had a great melody, though the songs did run together.
Took me a few songs to get into this one, but once it clicked I heard a couple tracks I would put on a setlist. I’ll spin it again.
This was my first Wild Beasts album. I wasn’t sure about it at first but then realized I was dancing my ass did so I think I enjoyed it. The vocals take some adjustment but it once it clicks they’re great, and the guitar leads play with a fantastic rhythm section in a great way.
hipster music 101
Pretty good album
I’m surprised I slept on this album when it came out, although the vocals and lyrics can be a little trying at first. Instrumentally it reminds me a lot of my favorite Foals tracks, and I feel like I could get into this after a few more listens.
Interesting indie album. The pacing was a little slow for me at times but I liked the album as a whole.
01/12/2025 I have never heard of these guys before and will probably never again, but this was decent enough. Spotify listeners: 71.2k
Great lyricism, awesome falsetto
It feels like they tried to make an interesting and different album. I liked some songs a lot.
Really liked this to be fair. Not completely sold on the falsetto so was glad when it trailed off halfway through. Great musicianship though the underlying music was fab
very vocal heavy album
Really good, really enjoyed this
I enjoyed this a lot more than the reviews I read seemed to. Lots of trance like beats that I liked quite a bit. Id recommend to people who like lots of repetitive sounds
3.7 Never heard of these, it was pretty interesting. Enjoyed the vocal style, a bit Ahoni in places but less annoying. Album petered out a bit towards the end but quite a few saved down. A lot better than some of the other 2010ish soft rock albums that have appeared on here.
A new find. Enjoyable. Definitely a band worth pursuing
8/10 Favourite: The Fun Powder Plot Least Favourite: When I'm Sleepy
Very interesting....
I would be lying if I may if I didn’t say I enjoyed the instrumentals, very progressive and mournfully dreamy but then the lyrics come in and it seems forced. There was also a track that has a beautiful twinkling sequence that suddenly cuts off. It’s almost amazing, but there are big things that just don’t work.
An incredibly beautiful album. It is very spacey and atmospheric. It reminds a lot to the sound of modern post-rock, but without the crescendos. The vocals felt a bit unwelcoming at first, as they are very extravagant, but after a couple of listens, I ended up liking them a lot. The range from screeching highs to very low, and that adds a lot of dynamic to the project. But what takes the cake in this record are the guitars. Mixed with the big production, the melodies played with them are absolutely wonderful, and are the main responsible of creating the atmosphere. My only reason to not give this 5 stars is because I feel like there are some weak tracks (like 'Underbelly' and 'Empty Nest') compared to the best ones (like 'We Still Got the Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues' or 'When I'm Sleepy...'). This doesn't mean I think these songs are bad, as I do believe every thing in this album is super solid. I'm very thankful to have discovered this wonderful album.
Great Fall Listen. Need to be in the woods now.
- hell yea chill n ambient n percussiony instrumental intro - gender envy vocals - hooting and howling is a great name for a track - accent is funky, hard to pick up exactly what they're saying but i like it - male vocalist sounds like the guy from bakenaked ladies? - bakenaked ladies if they did ambient post rock - "when im sleepy" another great name - bakenaked ladies meets mika? meets foals? whoah - "we still got the taste dancing on our tongues" has the catchiest chorus so far - ooh underbelly is so ethereal with its little chimes - WHAT what an abrupt ending what i had to go back and replay that the chimes were so nice and then SNIP gone next some heres some drums - "he cried out" in through the iron gate damn mika got VOCALS - i like the guitar in this track - ooh that instrumental fade is nice overall good! sounds very coherent throughout, maybe a bit too much so where tracks kinda blend together. its very ambient post rock in that regard which i like! no crazy highs like explosions in the sky and it kinda just stays at a certain level where it feels like youre about to go over the top of the roller coaster but it never dips down too intensely.
lowkey elsker dette litt. minner om grizzly bear, bare med falsetto. kanskje litt mer poppy. ærlig talt blir det bedre desto lenger jeg hører på det. tipper dette kommer med i rotasjonen fremover. til tider tenkte jeg at vokalisten hørtes litt ut som Q Lazzarus, som dere burde kjenne som artisten bak den beste låta noensinne. tilfeldigvis finner jeg ut at Hayden Thorpe, som han heter, spilte inn et cover (sammen med Jon Hopkins, en annen perle) av den i 2013. elsker når det skjer. nå har jeg hørt skiva tre ganger. den sitter. veldig nærliggende det jeg hørte på rundt 2013. dette kan være en 10/10 om et år. må leve litt med det først.
Likte dette godt. Tror det kan vokse mer på meg.
I’d never heard of Wild Beasts, and I was really excited by the intro, and like many others here, immediately put off by the vocals. As it progressed, I got used to the voice, and began to embrace the album. It comes from an era of indie where everyone was trying to ‘out-weird’ each other, so I do hear major Architecture in Helsinki, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, and Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah influences. In certain moments, I seriously wondered if I was in Vekatimest or Bitte Orka. ‘We Still Got the Taste of Dancin on our Tongues’ is a very gross song name, but I dig the song itself, and the title is reminiscent of ‘Dance Yourself Clean’ by LCD Soundsystem. Perhaps all art is a product of its time and genre, and coming to Two Dancers so late, I hear how strongly the indie atmosphere effected the sound of this album more than the individual personality of the band itself, which remains a step distant for the full run. Still, I found it a nice relic dredged from right up next to the death of indie, and perhaps the death of guitar driven music in general, as heralded by the near contemporary ‘Merriwether Post Pavillion,’ and I’d argue, ‘Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer.’ I’ll be back to Wild Beasts, and for now, on first impressions, I’ll throw down a solid four, simply because this ultimately delighted me.
Kate Bush/Bowie/Sparks inspired naughties twee pop. I kinda dig it though.
Cool creative fun. Really enjoyed this
Infectious.Subtle, at times, beautiful.
3.5
I think Hayden Thorpe's vocals are an acquired taste (a bit of an understatement, I know), but if you can get past it, I think this is a pretty interesting album. They kind of remind me of a slightly funkier version of Grizzly Bear. Funky maybe isn't the right descriptor, but there's sort of a rhythmic quality to it that stands out among this type of of arty, baroque-inspired late 2000s indie rock. I think there's a lot of standouts here including "The Fun Powder Plot", "Hooting & Howling", "We Still Got the Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues", and "This is Our Lot". 4 stars.
4.5
ball ball ball
Wild dancers, haunting voice and killer indie vibes.
This iiiiiiis, a boooooty calllllll Wát een opener, ik ga hier even goed voor zitten hoor! Dit is echt een bizar album. Ontzettend veel sfeer in de muziek, soms dreigend, soms juist ontzettend theatraal. De zang is een soort van huilend over de heftige instrumenten heen. Hij zingt ook op een aparte manier, doet me soms zelfs denken aan opera? Dit is echt een album dat ik niet eerder kende. Het is in de zelfde hoek als indierock/britpop, maar dan met een vocal performance die zo ontzettend vreemd is? Misschien is vreemd wel de beste bewoording om dit album te beschrijven, het is een vreemd album. Maar ik vind het een soort van best wel vet? Niet alles werkte en best wel veel was niet geslaagd, maar als het lukte(God was Underbelly maar langer en eindigde die niet zo abrupt...) kreeg je een soort spacey trippy muziek die je bijbleef. Fuck it, 4 sterren. Dit album is gewoon een stuk interessanter dan een hoop van de indierock die er op de lijst staat terwijl het wel ontzettend dichtbij diezelfde indierock staat. FAVO: Hooting & Howling, Underbelly, Through the Iron Gate
This is fuckin' great. I had no idea of what to expect and was immediately blown away by the vocalist's range (at times channelling Thom Yorke) and the band's playful and dancey electro-alt-pop-rock. Hell, there's even some shoegaze and post-rock tendencies in here. What a delightful new discovery!
Big reverbs on the clean guitars. Slightly unusual almost theatrical and powerful vocals. Reminiscent of Muse and The Cure. Solid post 80s tasteful synth sounds. Perfect soundtrack for a maiden voyage to Mars. Definitely worth a listen.
Decent enough
This album is so fucking weird I love it
Nice. Well crafted. A band that moved to Leeds (they get a star for that). Voice is distinctive but that doesn't necessarily make it great.
## Wild Beasts' *Two Dancers*: An In-Depth Review Released in 2009, Wild Beasts' sophomore album *Two Dancers* marked a significant evolution from their flamboyant debut *Limbo, Panto*. It refined their eccentricities into a cohesive, provocative, and critically acclaimed statement that challenged indie rock conventions. Here’s a focused breakdown: ### **Lyrics: Poetic Provocation & Dark Intimacy** * **Complex Imagery & Wordplay:** Hayden Thorpe’s lyrics blend literary ambition (influenced by Rimbaud and folk poets like Jake Thackray) with jarring vulgarity. Lines like *"This is a booty call; my boot up your arse hole"* or *"His dancing cock, down by his knees"* deliberately juxtapose elegance and crudeness, exposing masculinity’s contradictions . * **Thematic Depth:** The album explores hedonism, violence, and vulnerability. "Hooting & Howling" frames male aggression as *"a crude art, a bovver boot ballet,"* while the title track’s grim narrative implies sexual assault (*"Do you want my bones? Heart between your teeth?"*), leaving perspectives ambiguous to amplify unease . * **Character Studies:** Songs like "All The King’s Men" (sung by Tom Fleming) dissect class and misogyny (*"Girls from Roedean, girls from Shipley... birthing machines"*), critiquing – not glorifying – patriarchal brutes . ### **Music & Production: Restrained Art-Funk** * **Sonic Shift:** Abandoning their debut’s baroque excess, *Two Dancers* embraces minimalist, percussion-driven art-funk. Chris Talbot’s intricate drumming and understated basslines create hypnotic grooves ("Hooting & Howling," "We’ve Got the Taste"), while guitars provide texture over melody . * **Vocal Alchemy:** Thorpe’s operatic falsetto (compared to Antony Hegarty or Associates’ Billy MacKenzie) polarizes but conveys theatrical vulnerability. Fleming’s earthy baritone offers crucial contrast, grounding flights of fancy with Northern grit . * **Production Clarity:** Richard Formby’s sparse production highlights space and rhythm. Tracks build tension subtly (e.g., the crescendo in "Hooting & Howling") and balance rawness with atmospheric synths ("Underbelly") . *Key Musical Elements*: | **Track** | **Key Feature** | **Vocal Highlight** | |-------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | "The Fun Powder Plot" | Driving bass, dissonant chimes | Thorpe’s faux-sexy "booty call" irony | | "All The King’s Men" | Bouncy groove, pop structure | Fleming’s wry baritone vs. Thorpe’s interjections | | "Two Dancers (I)" | Tribal drums, sinister guitar lines | Fleming’s menacing delivery | | "This Is Our Lot" | Hypnotic guitar riff, krautrock pulse | Thorpe’s romantic decay imagery | ### **Themes: Masculinity, Vulnerability & Violence** The album dissects male sexuality beyond clichés. Hedonism is undercut by anxiety (*"Empty Nest"* laments lost innocence), while violence intertwines with desire ("Two Dancers"). This isn’t laddish swagger but a self-critical expose of "beastliness" – the tension between physical urges and emotional consequence . ### **Influence & Legacy** *Two Dancers* anticipated 2010s art-rock’s sophistication, influencing acts like Alt-J (who faced comparisons). Its Mercury Prize nomination (2010) signaled critical recognition, though its divisive vocals and themes prevented mainstream breakthrough. It remains a cult benchmark for lyrical ambition and gender-fluid artistry in indie rock . --- ### **Pros & Cons** *Table: Critical Assessment of Two Dancers* | **Aspect** | **Pros** | **Cons** | |------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Vocals** | Unique, emotionally resonant falsetto/baritone interplay; daring theatricality | Falsetto polarizing; can feel mannered or comical (e.g., failed "sexy" delivery) | | **Lyrics** | Poetically rich, thematically complex; subverts misogyny tropes | Occasionally pretentious or jarring ("dancing cock") undermining gravity | | **Instrumentation** | Tight, inventive rhythms; minimalist funk grooves; atmospheric textures | Can feel overly restrained vs. debut’s exuberance; lacks immediate hooks | | **Cohesion** | Flawless sequencing; concise runtime (40 mins); unified aesthetic | Tonal ambiguity (humor vs. gravity) risks confusion | --- ### **Verdict** *Two Dancers* is a **flawed masterpiece**. Its genius lies in fusing poetic lyricism, rhythmic innovation, and unflinching thematic exploration into a sound both timeless and wholly original. While Thorpe’s vocals and some lyrical excesses remain divisive, the album’s audacity, emotional depth, and sonic refinement cement it as a landmark in 21st-century art-rock. **8.5/10**
This was completely new to me. What a distinctive, intoxicating sound! I’m sure some listeners were put off by the vocals, but I liked their experimental, often-near-atonal quality. After three listens, some of the lyrics remain . . . opaque to me. But I’ll keep at it. An early highlight for me: “We Still Got the Taste Dancin’ on Our Tongues.”
cool indie
A nice little album. Reminds me quite a bit of that Elbow album, but if the lyrics were pretty nonsensical. Fun though! 8/10
Quite liked this, though it wasn't drawing me in so much as pleasant background music. There's a certain time and place I have in mind to listen again to see if I am drawn in. Last track was my favourite.
4.3
I love Wild Beasts, but I don't think this is their best album, and I think that while there are some absolutely amazing songs, I think it has "low" points and therefore doesn't go above 4 stars for me, 4.5 at its peaks. However, they are an important band that never got the credit they deserved, and I hope that they get "rediscovered" in time, maybe in part due to this list.
I don't love the vocals, but I like the instrumentation.
Very interesting sound!
The androgynous vocals really worked well for me. I liked this less for particular standout songs and more for the feel of the album overall. Some of the lyrics are a little pretentious/odd, but they meld into the music well enough that I didn’t find it distracting.
Very very cool art-rock with beautifully unique vocals. Haters can go suck, this is fresh and good! Must-listen 173.
This was great, hadn’t heard of this band before. Amazing unique vocal styling that I am sure is polarizing but I really enjoyed it. Solid all the way through.
Okay Wild Beasts, y'all got some fucky lyrics, but damn if the tunes aren't good.
Wasn’t expecting to see Wild Beasts here, but it’s a pleasant surprise. They were one of the more interesting indie bands of the era, blessed with not one but two highly distinctive vocalists and a kind of enchanted-forest mystery to their sound. Perhaps they never recorded an end-to-end masterpiece but this is probably their most consistent effort, featuring a trio of great singles plus interesting textures and rhythms throughout.
i gotta say... i was pleasantly surprised by this album... some cool electronica songs, but with some cool bass and pristine production... great vocals... like a more modern Tears For Fears... with U2 and Talk Talk thrown in with Muse as well... there are no hall of fame first time listen HITS... but the album as a whole is a really nice aural experience... use headphones... i'm an old fuddy duddy, so i give it Four stars... i'm sure the younger whipper snappers will give it Five... xoxo
I like the guys voice Very good loser rock production
Good vibe Riminescent if 80’s new wave later bands
Not bad but falsetto singing should be banned forever
felt like a great mix of bjork and jungle
Enjoyable!
Liked All The King's Men, Two Dancers (I and II), Through The Iron Gate
if you weren't obsessed with the dance floor in 2009, you were obsessed with polyrhythms. some groups fresh from the freak folk scene, like Dirty Projectors and Tune-Yards, mined "tribal" sounds, sort of taken of context and turned into something appreciated by thine white hipster US blogwriters. i like those acts too, but if i liked them at the time and still liked them now instead of turning my back on them, there'd probably be some Maoist ass struggle sessions taking place. going across the pond, however, you see a lot more "math pop" -- something coined for whatever was going on in San Francisco in the late 90s -- with TTNG and Foals going for a more original (and less approximated) sound. Wild Beasts are a part of the latter group. however, what people remember about this band isn't their incredibly intricate guitarwork and musicianship, but the vocals of Mr. Hayden Thorpe, who has one of the most distinct falsettos in all of indie rock. (his biggest solo release appears to be a cover of "Goodbye, Horses", which makes sense for him to perform.) accompanying the voice is oddball poetry for lyrics like "This is a booty call; my boot up your arse hole / This is a Freudian slip; my slipper in your bits" or "O, unpluckable flower of the moon! / O, untetherable bird of the blue!" -- and you know how much i love crude poetics. altogether, it makes for a delicate package of crystal and china all covered in dust. in my opinion, Two Dancers is quite special. unlike most stuff that was pushed by the British Music Press before hitting the ground like a dropped frog, it deserves to be remembered.
I was vibing with it
I love this album shile i am sure it is offputting for some, I find it oddly beautiful and seems like it follows a stylistic path the starts with Bowie and Bryan Ferry. The music and lyrics are captivating and I was glad to listen again, surprised it was on the list.
Did not appreciate the vocals at first (to say the least) but production choices grew on me. Keeping the songs brief was a plus.
Hadde allerede en sang lastet ned fra de, gøy!
Dug this considerably. Especially, EMPTY NEST, THROUGH THE IRON GATE, THE FUN POWDER PLOT, THIS IS OUR LOT. They do a really cool blend of surf rock, melancholy tones, and shades of punk, oddly. The Smiths meets Alt-J.
Haven’t ever heard of them before but pleasantly surprised. Another situation where I’d like to differentiate between a 3 and a 4 but giving them a nod to a 4 so they don’t get lost in my 3s and I can go back to them
it was honestly alright. very interpretive, very different. felt like i was walking into a contemporary art museum. but honestly not mad about it. would take some gettin used to but i honestly enjoyed it
Really fun album. And funny at times like how can you sing "this is my booty call" in that falsetto 😂
Two Dancers has a sound that immediately brings Temper Trap to mind. It's moody, atmospheric indie rock with soaring vocals and a touch of glam. The first half of the album is really strong, pulling you in with its rhythm and energy, but somewhere past the midpoint it starts to drift and lose its spark. Still, there’s enough charm here to imagine these guys putting on a great live show.
Great flow and calming to listen too
I like this. I'd say it falls into some of those other indie albums from this time.
I love Wild Beasts, but Smother would be the better album to include in this list.
This is actually pretty good; a good mix of influences somewhere between indie rock with electronics bits and beats. I get that the voice can be irritating, but it fits well the atmosphere of the album.
Instrumental great, vocals I need to get used to... Overall not my cup of tea but I still liked it
The opener is good. Very dense and atmospheric. The second track, “Hooting and Howling”, has my attention right away. This is really good. This album is really good. Listening to “this is our last” now.
Easily one of the better albums of the 80s... released in 2009. Soft vocals, synths, it pretty much has it all.
Quite up my street - ethereal but upbeat. Something quite different I liked it.
A couple lesser songs but overall really good. Nice voice.
Very nostalgic of my early adulthood.
I've no complains with this. 7.
This is the sort of band you might first encounter on Jools Holland, where it can go either way. On a good day, they might sound brilliant. On another day, you might watch and think "What the hell was that?" I don't remember them from 2009, but was encouraged by the first track: Hayden's voice was definitely a surprise, but, once I decided he was channelling Billy McKenzie, I was on board with it. After that, I felt some highs and lows - loved the overall artistic sensibility and the pop rhythms, loved the guitars, but I only liked some of the actual songs. I had moments of being afraid I was about to find it annoying, because pretentiousness and earnestness are big turn-offs for me and I kept waiting for the tipping point to come. But actually, it never did. It remained quirky, interesting pop with some moments of real beauty and enough drive to be enjoyable. Full disclosure: the lyrics seemed pretty bonkers, and I didn't bother trying to decipher them. I think they'd appeal to Gen Z; they should have another go.
More mellow Siouxsie. I dig it.
I don't know why people are so offended by Hayden Thorpe's voice. Sure, it might seem a bit too theatrical, but I think it comes from the fact that some British artists have their own way of performing. There are many artists like Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury, and even Amy Winehouse who have a unique way of performing and still get acclaim for it. And with that said, "Two Dancers" seems to me to be very inspired by Kate Bush sonically. It's a great album, but it lacks personality perhaps. Kate seems to be the influence even in the way Thorpe sings. The album lacks the band's identity. But still, I had a lot of fun listening to this album and would listen to it again without a problem.
Not a bad album at all but I struggle to embrace the indie aesthetic. The band is solid though, even if the main vocalist sounds a bit whiny.
good album, enjoyed the unique vibe of it.
Wild Beasts another collective noun for all 14 of Len Houmous’ wives. 4.2
Slightly otherworldly, special singing 3.6
flowy dreamy album. i can listen through it several times without even taking notice. not sure if this is a fully positive trait, though...
The band gives me Sparks vibes. A chilling album that makes me think 2025 will go quite well, but at the same time, never really blew me away either. It's just typical British Rock which serves as decent background music. Favorite Song: "The Fun Powder Plot"
Spooky and ambient, it's perfect movie soundtrack fodder. The biggest surprise though is THAT voice, which I quite like but I can totally understand that for a lot (most?) people it would be off-putting. But anyway, the music is well arranged, the vocals are highly melodic and the album is a rewarding and interesting listen.
Pleasantly different and musically adept, but the spooky falsetto got a bit wearing. I listened to this a few times and liked it increasingly, but I think what I really like is the, "Similar Artists" auto-generated purify playlist that follows. Wild Beasts keep good company.
really interesting sounds, I will search more of their music
This album ticks so many boxes as far as the type of bands that I was listening to from this time period. I can’t believe I haven’t heard this before. The band is reminiscent of bands like Local Natives or Arcade Fire while the singer gives me ANOHHI vibes. The guitars are a standout through out these songs. I immediately added this album to some playlists and will be getting many listens out of this.
Bold and a little weird, but not in your face about it. There’s a sly wit in the grooves, like if Talking Heads went nocturnal. The instrumentation feels lean, deliberate, every note intentional. It teeters between romance and something darker. There’s space for mystery here.
This was quite fun, varied enough to stay interesting, and I like how the instruments layer up. Not really any songs that made me want to play them again and again though
Good album, was chill
Takes me back to high school. “All the Kings Men” remains an all time fav of mine
I wanted to make fun of this, but huh. After "Two Dancers I/II" and "This is Our Lot" - I'm thinking it's quite nice, actually. There is, again, the questionable AYMHBYD because OMG MERCURY PRIZE NOMINEE! and it's got a bit of a "Mum, can we have Radiohead?" "No, honey, we have Radiohead at home", but I can equally liken this to Shearwater, with extra mirrorballs (only that their music has Wild Beasts' two singers rolled into one). Which is a good thing. Add the shimmering post rock - Post Pop? - guitars & vibes... yeah. This is good music. My smallish gripe is that lyrics, along with their meaning, are also sounds and rhythms and they don't seem to be too interested in playing that instrument well, but all in all this isn't bad.
Très agréable à écouter au casque, création d'une ambiance sonore très réussie Très bonne découverte
I loved this album when it came out. I remember it being big in our student radio days. Through the Iron Gate is a banger. I can't say I loved the whole album as much now but still really enjoyed listening.
"Two Dancers" is the second studio album by British rock band Wild Beasts. Indie rock, art rock and dream pop are the Wiki-listed genres. No argument there. The album was produced by Richard Fromby and Wild Beasts. Wild Beasts are Hayden Thorpe (vocals, guitars, bass, keys), Tom Fleming (vocals, bass, keys, guitar), Ben Little (lead guitar) and Chris Talbot (drums). Commercially, the album hit #68 in the UK and was very well-received critically. "The Fun Powder Plot" opens the album. A droning synth, bass, drumbeat and percussion. Hayden Thorpe enters with his falsetto vocals. Interesting sound. I don't know it this is true but I read a comment that this is about when two House of Common members threw condoms filled with purple powder at Tony Blair in a Fathers' right protest? Thorpe keeps his falsetto going in "Hooting & Howling." This song builds slowly. A catchy melody. Vocals repeating hooting & howling. He's protecting his girls. "All the King's Men" has a swirling guitar melody. Enter vocalist Tom Fleming, not singing in a falsetto but Thorpe is in the background. Girls, watch out for those privileged boys. "We Still Got the Taste Dancin' on Our Tongues" starts a string of songs with echoing, reverbing guitars. I like this sound. Very U2-ish. Thorpe's voice sounds the best on this song as he sings about drinking moonshine. They continue those reverbing, echoing guitars in "This is Our Lot." A long musical intro. Bass and drum anchor the song as it builds emotionally. It sounds like two people are about to have sex for the first time. This album has an interesting sound; songs are dreamy, catchy pop and more rockin' with echoing guitars. It really grew on me after a few listens. The two singers balanced each other out; I'm not sure I could handle a whole song with Thorpe's falsetto. The song themes seem to go all over...politics, sex , society, prostitution, brutality and a women's point of view. It's a compelling listen.
I don’t understand why this album has such low ratings. I thought it was fun. I saw “electronic” and got scared, but it was honestly marvelous. I really enjoyed all of it. I am a phan. 4/5
The first few songs were reminiscent of Muse with their falsetto voice. Not something I would typically pic up, but I enjoyed it. Good music, good beats, and played with emotion.
Never heard of them, but I really enjoyed this, groovy electro-pop
Really enjoyed this. I think Present Tense is a better album which is actually impressive, they're probably an underrated band.
I did enjoy this album. The rhythm and instrumentals are varied, and bouncy. Definitely the best part of the album. It still commits that cardinal sin of 2000s indie music, which is having that sort of socialist commune sort of vibe. Lyrics that don’t mesh with me, and vocabulary which is cringey at times. This album was sort of a guilty pleasure that way. Standouts: The Fun Powder Plot, Hooting & Howling, We Still Got The Taste Dancin’ On Our Tongues, Two Dancers (i & ii), This Is Our Lot, and Through The Iron Gates.
Wild Beasts were, in my opinion, one of the best indie acts of the late-2000s/early-2010s. Massively underrated, and even if I think their best album is 2011's Smother, I'm very pleased they made the cut to begin with. Don't sleep on this band! Key tracks: Hooting & Howling All the King's Men We Still Got the Taste Dancin' on Our Tongues This Is Our Lot
Strange album and a strange one to include on the list. I can only assume that it was included after its' release and then removed at a later timepoint. Still, I think I dig it? Impressive vocals and always interesting. Could perhaps have cut one or two tracks in the middle, but the one-two punch of 'Empty Nest' and 'Through The Iron Gate' brings it all back home.
Very interesting
This was a little strange but pretty good indie art rock/dream pop that has an attractive overall sound. The lyrics are very corporeal and odd but are a nice change of pace. The ethereal layering in the background make it enjoyable. The standouts are "Empty Nest" and "Two Dancers (ii)".
I loved this and I’m not sure how I kissed it. As an older millennial, steeped in arcade fire and dark was the night, this fits right in. I hear future islands and the dirty projectors as well. The strange vocals are on-point and compelling. The tunes are great.
Chill slow indie pop. Easy listen.
I did not look up Wild Beasts as I listened to figure out their origin stories or even what genre they are technically in. I was too busy just listening and enjoyiing the sound. Odd how from song to song you "hear" for example, The Smiths, or various other band vibes, all the while they go on being unique. No idea who they are or where they are now, but this is really quite refreshing and generally a pleasure to listen to.
It seems I've run across this band a couple of times during my travels and glad to say I still find them intriguing and will give them another spin some time. Faves: The Fun Powder Pot, We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues
I see some other reviewers making comparisons to The XX, music-wise, and yeah, that rings true. But whereas The XX have soft mumbly chill vocals, (which I admittedly prefer) these folks went, ahem, another route. Still, though, you'd think a little falsetto caused the cancer the way people are complaining about it! 🙄 I found this an interesting listen, for sure - probably more likely to revisit The XX than these folks, though - I probably shoulda given "xx" 5 stars. Fave tracks - "Two Dancers" stood out, and "Through the Iron Gate" was a moody, proggy closer...
Unsurprising that this and Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow were released in close proximity to each other, definitely sounds like they influenced each other. in the same style (or in some cases precursor to) as the Hot Chip, Alt J, Everything Everything Everything sound that I love so much. Headphone listen is a must.
I did not immediately think I would enjoy this, finding the lead singer’s voice to be a bit dramatic. But the more I listened, the more it grew on me. High marks here.
It surprised me, nice and unique style i could say
The Fun Powder Plot // All The King’s Men // Underbelly // 3.5-4/5
Mad. Weird. Loved it x
Kinda liked it.
I liked it. Would do again.
4.0
I would have been pretty into this back in 2009, but I guess it slipped through the cracks; everything comes back around, however, as I'm still plenty into it 15 years later.
interesting...
This was interesting and I would listen to it again (which is saying something compared to a lot of the other albums)
Everything about this is intriguing. And sounds pretty good. I’m rounding up to 4 stars.
I never expect to like new (to me) music, but I really enjoyed this whole album! I want to own it.
4.5 stars, need to check back on this one. Felt good
Pretty good album, sounded good to me and also sounded pretty different (at least from what I've been listening to lately). We Still Got... and Through The Iron Gate were among my favorites. The most-played song, All the King's Men, I didn't like that much.
Enjoyed this
Way good. Never heard of them before. Glad I got the chance! Interesting and intelligent lyrics. Impressive. I’ll definitely add this to my rotation. Standouts: All the King’s Men, We Still Got the Taste of Dancing on our Tongues 3.75
Exactly the kind of indie rock beats I like. Never heard of them before. Vocals can be a bit meh knocking it down to 4 stars
A nice, listenable alt-pop album. It reminds me of Glass Animals a bit. I’ll probably return to this one.
- Kannte ich nicht, keine Song, kein Album und auch nicht die Band. Fand ich aber irgendwie ganz cool. - Erinnert mich irgendwie an eine moderne Symbiose aus U2 und Beach House. Bissl Pop, bissl Gaze, bissl Pop: sehr spannend. - Vor allem die zweite Hälfte des Albums hat mich dann richtig abgeholt. Vielleicht, weil ich erst dann so richtig warm geworden bin mit der Band oder weil sie schlicht und ergreifend besser ist, keine Ahnung. 3,75/5
- mega Album für einen entspannten Start in den Tag - direkt mal weggespeichert
This was good! I will likely listen to again
Along the same lines as bjork in terms of melodies. Some songs were better than others but overall I enjoyed it. 7/10
Weird. Two parts Bjork, one part Joy division, filter through late 2000's shoegaze.
Didn't really understand it but it was a good album. Especially loved the second track
This has awesome talking heads vibes!
Weird and a bit out there at times, but good. Found myself getting sucked into the songs.
3.75
Has a lot of the mood and style - if not the catchy hooks - of The Smiths and Bowie.
Truly excellent stuff.
Pas révolutionnaire, certes, mais tout de même une jolie découverte bien plaisante
A really good album, I enjoyed the style of music. This Is The Lot and Underbelly were my favorite songs on the album.
Loved this
Grabbed my attention, really really good sounding. Sounds like stereolab but cleaner and more punctual/drummy. French people? Great head nodding music and would probably go crazy at a gay bar. I love this album and will definitely check out their other albums and upon further research they are British people.
Vähän jännä tapaus. Instrut erittäin jees, vaikka soundit tosi 2009. Laulu vaatii vähän sulattelua, mutta uppoaa loppua kohti jo ihan hyvin. Jotain 3,5/5 ja kyl mä nyt taivun neloseen täpärästi. Sinänsä listalle vähän geneerinen indietapaus. Toki varmaan brittiosaston parempaa päätä.
Really surprised by this. After listening to the first few minutes, I was pretty certain i was giving this a 2, as the falsetto voice was an instant turnoff. However after starting the albums a few times, the voice started clicking for me as an interesting dramatic element over the music. The music is really good, that finds a good groove and has an ethereal quality at times. I could definitely see enjoying this more as you get more familiar with it. A surprise!
Took a while to get used to the sometimes silly vocals, but ended up liking this quite a bit. 4/5
Weird.probably will listen 2-3 times to settle
El que destaca del disc es la seva musicalitat. És d'una bellesa i creativitat que acaben arrossengant-te. L'indie pop en el seu estat més màgic i artesanal
Heeft me door de tentamens heen gesleept harde vibe dit
At the beginning, I was afraid this was gonna be the bad kind of indie rock: effete, kind of muscleless and too basic. Something easily slottable in a Spotify playlist and promptly forgotten. Thankfully, Wild Beasts' lead vocalist quickly assuaged these worries, as his operatic vocals underpin the songs and give it something to bounce off to. Surprisingly never a dull moment. Light 4
Though the entire album sits on the darker side of the human experience, the diversity of sound is spot on. Hayden Thorpe's voice is absolutely gorgeous with a range and style that rivals Klaus Nomi. The lyrics themselves appear to be mostly non-sensical, but once I started to settle into the album I realized that the lyrics don't paint an exact picture, but an abstract. It doesn't tell a story but evokes the feelings of a moment, of a slice of life, of a tragedy undefined. I thoroughly enjoyed this album.
Chill and progressive like Myslowitz
Pretty good. Reminds me of Radiohead but somehow even more etherial.
Very chill, ethereal, a very pleasant listen but can't imagine going back to it
For the most part I like this Indi/Alt pop genre whatever it is and I'm guessing back in 2010 it was a lot less common and over done as it is today. I enjoyed the composition of this album and musically I'd say its pretty good outside the falsetto singer who I found kind of annoying. I normally dont mind high pitch singers some of my favorite bands are Rush, Coheed and Cambria and Circa Survive however here it feels like they did their best to ruin an otherwise solid album. Not much else to really say here. This genre has been beat to death and there are a million other bands today that make this exact same type of music. It's a 3.5 for me because the falsetto singer but I guess I'll round it up to a 4. It does a lot right but not enough to rise above other groups they share this genre with. Probably won't be returning to this one.
I've never heard of Wild Beasts before. This album is complex for me to rate. The music kept me engaged for the whole album, but I wasn't sure how I felt about the vocals. The music has alternative and indie vibes, but the female vocalist almost has operatic leanings. Even the male vocalist has me feeling ambivalent. The music was engaging, and I would be interested in hearing more from the band. I didn't just put up with this recording. I liked so much of it even if I don't know what to do with the vocals. Rounding up to 4 stars.
I remember enjoying it at the time of its release, but it has been a long time since I've listened to this album. Album starts with a really fantastically mixed The Fun Powder Plot. Very bright with tons of separation between each of the individual components. Kind of gives it an almost tropical vibe. I've been working with this in the background, but have been enjoying the production quality and several of the songs a lot. This Is Our Lot stands out as one of particular quality. Almost sounds like a TV On The Radio song meets Hercules and Love Affair. Underbelly into Empty Nest is a cruel tease on transition. Not sure why they did that on such an otherwise clean sounding album. I've heard it twice now and both times thought that my bluetooth disconnected. All around this is a firm 4. I enjoyed listening to this twice through and while not many individual tracks stand out, it listens well as an end to end album.
Really like the sound of this album a couple songs in. Lots of sounds happening that all work well together. The dudes voice kinda sounds like a mixture of Kate Bush and Wavey Davey. Nevermind the voice changes. These guys have a pretty unique sound. Will definitely come back and listen to them more. Sucks they broke up but c’est la vie
det här får ändå bli en fyra, om än något svag sådan. det låter rätt likt arcade fire/boxer rebellion men med en ganska gnällig sång emellanåt. Sångaren låter lite som alphaville sångaren eller nåt annat generiskt synthprojekt från 80/90-talet
This was quite good! I enjoyed it and never heard of them before. 3.75/5
Reminiscent of U2
Without looking, I'm going to assume the vocals are a big problem for everyone. After a few tracks, I personally got used to them, and at certain points even liked them; however, I think the main attraction here is the gorgeous guitar work. It sounds like Johnny Marr is a big influence: something not flashy, just adding to the ambience while being quietly brilliant. The instrumentation throughout really brings a lot, it's lush, it's orchestral, it's very pretty. Favorite tracks: "We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues", "Two Dancers (i/ii)"
Didn't know what to expect but surprisingly liked it. Real good indie
It's well produced. Alternative and non standard.A bit haunting and soundtrack like. Atmospheric. Polished. Experimental clanging and lyrical with a good little drum kit. Warbling lyricist who does all kinds of things. Creatively courageous because it isn't going to be a commercial hit and would be hard to give radio play, or tour with.... I didn't bother reading why it's important or who's side project this was. Good but not a bringer of particular joy. Does It deserve to be on 1001 list? Hard to see why... There is a lot of very interesting instrumental stuff that never sees the light of day. Why this one? How much did I love it...? 3-4. I could listen again.
Never heard of this band before, maybe i need to get more acquinted. Vocals are annoyingly high pitched for my taste at times, the songs sung by a lower voice were better. All in all a better-than-average album, i especially enjoy the drums and guitars at times. I'm a sucker for math-music.
One of the acceptable types of 21 century music...
I’ve listened to a lot of indie and art pop for whatever reason during my time here and this track continues that trend in an interesting way. Two Dancers is fairly novel for its combination of indie rock and art pop, with art pop induced guitars, vocals and melodies, whilst also having indie based production and drums. Sometimes the record feels more indie, which is objectively the lower points of the record, and sometimes the vocals go in a more lounge jazz direction which is mid in all honesty, but the arty-indie rock of this record remains true for the most part. There are also some inflections of dream pop in the mix which I’m always a fan of, but it shows up too scarcely in my opinion. Something that also shows up too scarcely (even more so in my opinion) is the inflections of world music, which did add a bit of flair. To summarize, this album is pretty good and has a novel combination of art pop and indie rock. The high pitched vocals add some flair, but when it deviates it sort of loses me. The dream pop and world influences are nice but are far too scarce. While I did like the record, I feel as though there are too many things holding it back to give too high of a score. Still, a 7/10 is fair for this record.
I did like All the King's Men. Seems like I just didn't like hooting and howling and when I'm sleeping. The rest I didn't mind on the second playthrough. The singers voice is kind of annoying. But at times, the band reminded me of Arcade Fire. This is a booty call; my boot up your arse hole. This is a Freudian slip; my slipper in your bits.
incredible lyrics, will definitely be relistening
Another new one for me. Enjoyed this, some great guitar and bass work. Will listen to again.
Forgotten gem
Wild Beasts is always a good time
surprisingly good indie rock
Really thought I'd hate this, my only memory of the band is Alexis Petridis regularly taking the piss out of them. But I don't. The book misses another good chance to include St Vincent, but again 2009 wasn't that good a year it seems. This is alright though, I don't find the voice annoying, unlike some stuff like Future Islands( which can piss off into the sun), I like the backing, post-punky guitars lightly speckled throughout a dreamy rhythm section together with gentle keyboards. It's a good relaxing listen without being boring. I guess on another day I'd dislike it but today I liked it.
Ik vond dit wel tof en volgens Arie is dit niet eens hun beste plaat! Tussen 3 en 4 sterren in.
Fijne plaat! Ik kende een ander album van deze band en ook deze stelt niet teleur!
massa o som, diferenciado, só nao curti muito o vocal falsetinho ruim
Whimsical and different
Great discovery, I never heard of this album before this list. This post-punk revival sound can often feel boring or repetitive, but on this album it works, mostly because of great instrumentation touches and genre blends. Not a big fan of the vocals on this one though. 7,8/10
Very variable voice singing. Very interesting sound. Varying instrumentation and therefore also sound. Grabs attention. I like the way the cadences flow. Some songs are also very melodic. A surprising piece indeed. Did not know that before. Rhythms also vary from song to song. So nothing boring, nice to listen to. The first album that brought me to discover more of them. Like "End Come too soon". But honestly Smother is the album that is better than Two Dancers. Thanks for showing me "Wild Beasts".
Not 100% sure of the vocals, but still like it. Nice surprise.
Really liked the vibe of this album
Een soort huismerk Bowie maar dan een stuk minder kut. Er zijn niet echt nummers die ik er tussenuit pluk om in een playlist te gooien, maar in z'n geheel genomen een hele aardige album-ervaring. Heerlijk om aan te zetten en niet teveel op te letten. Zang is bij sommige nummers wel heel vreemd en tikt de categorie 'kattengejank' met vlagen zeker aan, maar toch is het wel lekker.
My cerebral cortex has been properly tickled. A very nice listening experience. Just when I've been getting kind of tired of falling asleep to either "Souvlaki" or "Heaven or Las Vegas" every night! A fine addition to my Sleepyhead playlist.
83/100: I can see how someone might dislike the sound of the lead singer's voice on this album; however, I'm not one of those people. I thought the lead singer's voice was really beautiful throughout this album. It's actually a big reason I liked the album as much as I did. To each their own, I guess. The instrumental tracking on this album creates such a unique vibe, big fan.
Weirdly melancholic
A nice find here, stylish and interesting. One’s not entirely sure how one missed this group in real time. First cut features as elegant and upmarket a “booty call” as one is likely to get. There’s an arty ominousness to the proceedings and lyrics, which keeps one engaged and a bit on edge. Societal decay and personal deterioration seem also danceable, in a modulated, melancholic sort of way. The falsetto is the strongest, and most original effect, and nicely suits the polished-up and sleekly modernized new wave vibe of the playing. Will be looking to hear more.
Toffe muziek, maar niet zo speciaal
Enjoyed this more then expected, good vibe overall
I was skeptical at first, but into it by the end of the album. Enjoyed the lushness of the production and the soulful vocals. Makes me think of Bloc Party.
If "Autumn in the North of England" was an album, this would be it. Spooky atmostpheric rock, great vocals.