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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

D

White Denim

2011

D
Album Summary

D is the fourth full-length studio album by the Texan band White Denim, released by Downtown Records on May 24, 2011 to wide critical acclaim. Upon its release, D received critical acclaim from music critics. Aggregating website AnyDecentMusic? reports a score of 7.7 based on 22 professional reviews. AllMusic calls this "laboriously constructed" album "a masterpiece". The new production value (and occasional flute solo or dreamy string arrangement) did "nothing to water down the band's muscular interplay," according to Jason Lymangrover. A reviewer calls bassist Steve Terebecki and drummer Josh Block "one of the most badass rhythm sections this side of Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding", and praises guitarists Jenkins and James Petralli for playing off one another perfectly, "intertwining jazzy guitar noodling, prog scales, and rock riffs." "Everything is tightly structured, and melodies are of the highest importance, especially in the album's explosive single 'Drug,' which blends a raw groove and Southern Americana slack along with Summer of Love lyrics," the critic writes. According to Rolling Stone, White Denim are "...like a jam band that refuses to be boring", mixing sublimely "psychedelia, hardblues, boogie, prog rock and fusion riffs like inspired kids weaned on 64GB iPods and 64-ounce Slurpees" in a way that "often recalls late-Sixties Grateful Dead, when their songs still had garage-rock drive but were exploding every which way." "The freakouts are mathematically calibrated, come with joyous hooks, and can coalesce into something conventionally heroic," notes Uncut magazine. The album has been described as "White Denim's most thrillingly off-kilter record to date" and "another joyous rampage through rock's dusty attic" by Mojo and Q critics, respectively. Uncut placed the album at number 4 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011", while Mojo, NME, and Rolling Stone ranked it 6, 37, and 46, respectively. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.22

Votes

10974

Genres

  • Rock
  • Indie

Reviews

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Apr 30 2023
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5

I think I’ve found another gem of an artist. This album was pretty good and I kept listening to their music after the album ended and this shit is my jam. It’s like blues and rock and a little psychedelic and there’s a lot going on but doesn’t get irritating. I’d probably put it at a high 4 but I want it on my summary just so I remember this band from time to time. Is and is and is is by far my fav but street joy is pretty good too.

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Apr 15 2023
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5

Holy shit what a great album, I listened to this four times in a row!

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Apr 28 2023
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5

A 37-minute journey into some American indie garage rock psychedelia. Was folky at some points and quite tropical at others. A nice varied album that was just a lot of fun throughout. I'd never heard of this band before now but I must say I'm certainly a fan. Favourite: River to Consider

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May 07 2023
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5

Give it up for White Denim! IYKYK Great album

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May 08 2023
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5

I SUPER enjoyed this album! Great songwriting, great music, great variety, great vibes! I liked the psych-rock feel of some of the tracks and there wasn't a single miss in any of the songs. This will definitely be an album I will be returning to!

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May 03 2023
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5

Boom Never heard of these guys before but this is right up my street Constantly surprising but filled with hooks Loved it

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Apr 10 2023
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4

This album is a psychedelic inspired quasi jam band style record. I say quasi jam band because everything on this album is very intentionally placed. Elements of hard blues, 2000s mainstream rock, Latin rock, and many other genres can be heard throughout giving this album a sense of wandering though it is under 40 minutes. The breadth and cohesion of this album is impressive but it does seem to lack a bit of depth. While the album very skillfully weaves its way through rock history, it doesn’t push anything forward.

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Apr 24 2023
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5

I really liked this album. I was surprised how much actually because I think I had incorrectly prejudged White Denim in the past, assuming they were more of a hipster type band based on their name. The music is dynamic and interesting, they actually remind me a lot of the Montreal band Plants and Animals. Also, had hints of Radiohead at times but also some folk/country-ish vibes to it. Solid album and will definitely look into more of their catalog. Standout Tracks: It's Him!, Back at the Farm, Street Joy, Anvil Everything, River to Consider, Keys

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May 13 2023
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5

A complete new discography that absolutely blew me away. Struggling to compare this with… anything else? Had to listen twice in a row and will be going back again.

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Jun 16 2024
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3

If I were tasked with adding some 2010’s psych to the list, I’d probably opt for something that leaned more towards the blistering, brain-burning side of things like Ty Segall’s “Twins” or Thee Oh Sees’ “Floating Coffin” or “Carrion Crawler/The Dream”, but White Denim’s “D” doesn’t necessarily disappoint. The musicianship is impressive and the songs twist and turn through different movements pretty smoothly. The band veers too close to the Jamband world for my tastes at times, though their playing is not lackadaisical or burnt out and is certainly more engaging than pretty much anything I’ve ever heard from the Grateful Dead, Phish and their patchouli drenched ilk. “D” is a good “lite-psych” record, with expert playing and well written songs, even if it feels a bit like Jamband music for people who don’t spend their life bombed out on Phish tour slinging grilled cheese and asking for miracles outside venues across America.

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Jun 27 2023
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1

-Didn’t write a BL- AL: this album was just so… boring. It kind of felt like a nothingness. It was so comically ok that I feel nothing but disdain for it. Maybe it just didn’t hit right, maybe it wasn’t the right time. But god I couldn’t distinguish anything about this. FT: didn’t have one 1/5

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May 26 2023
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5

A deeply offensive record that basically promotes the use of retarded children as catwalk models. It's not good for their self esteem and makes me feel physically sick. Models should be rake thin, gaunt and lacking in nutrients, not hot disabled teens drooling into their wheelchairs. For Christ's sake, sort it out.

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May 26 2023
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5

Never heard of this band but loved this album. Great combination of so many different genres coupled with great guitar, bass, drums, and flute(!). The rhythm section, especially the drums are a huge standout to me. Really struggled to pick one for the playlist because I liked it all so much!

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Jun 01 2023
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4

Wow. There is an awful lot happening here and some of it is fantastic! Layers of rhythms and styles. Just so much going on. Sometimes it feels completely comfortable and sometimes nicely unexpected. I don't have time for multiple listens today but I know I like it and want some more time with this one.

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Jul 19 2023
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4

very good album, enjoyed it a lot! Very eclectic rock sound.

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Aug 14 2024
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4

Never heard it before. It's got a punk-y, garage band vibe, with a hint of the Allman brothers that smooths out just enough of the jagged edges to keep it interesting. I liked this album.

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Apr 11 2023
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3

I'm always gonna love this garage psych sound, but something about it didn't strike me as particularly special. It was carried by a great vibe, but the songs and ideas underneath didn't cut the mustard compared to artists similar to the style.

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Jul 07 2023
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2

When I read the intro on the front page and saw "occasional flute solo" I knew this wouldn't be for me. I felt this was really just a jam band, just throwing a bunch of music together. Wasn't terrible, except the flute parts, but nothing I was consider exceptional either. I did like Is and Is and Is, but nothing else grabbed my attention, but the gogdamn flute parts. And I would have never guessed this was from 2011. Ok background music, but not something I would seek out. 2

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May 17 2023
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5

Retro, but really great. Would listen again

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Jun 08 2023
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5

Truly wonderful album. I try and save the 5stats but this is deserving. No skips, all iterating concepts and a revelation of indietween

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Jul 25 2023
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5

I really enjoyed this one. Is and is and is was probably my favorite song.

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Aug 03 2023
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5

Actually liked this one more than I thought I would

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Aug 10 2023
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5

What a great fun album. It's Him grabs you from the very beginning. Back at the Farm is my absolute favourite. Street Joy seems to be popular and I can see why. Looking forward to hearing this again.

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Aug 24 2023
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5

Very unique album with lots of character and fun songs. Indie with strong guitar and interesting instrument solos

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Sep 27 2023
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5

I’d never heard of White Denim before, but they sound exactly how I’d imagine an Austin-based indie band to sound, so I’m not disappointed. They remind me of the Black Keys from the get go in the opening track, and their psychedelic blues continue to dominate for the rest of the album. That isn’t to say that the album is stylistically straightforward, though. “Street Joy” gives us an introspective pop fit for the mid-2010s, while “River to Consider” clearly draws influence from far beyond the Texas Hill Country. “Bess St” sounds more like Dan Auerbach on vocals than any other song on the record, and just as the Black Keys have maintained a relatively steady style and demeanor over the past 20 years, it feels like this album could have been released any time since the turn of the century. Some further investigation after finishing the album led to their cover of “Just Dropped In,” originally by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. They do an immaculate job, making enough adjustments to make the performance their own but keeping the melody true enough to the original to pay respect to the original. They apparently covered the Big Lebowski soundtrack classic for the TV version of Fargo. If these guys can make the Austin music scene proud with their psychedelic blues and fanboy for the Coen Brothers too, I have to give them five stars. The groove abides.

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Sep 27 2023
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5

Never heard of this band or album but I really loved it. Like if the Dead were good at math and composition and also from 21st century Texas

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Oct 06 2023
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5

Can’t believe I had never heard of this. I listened to a ton of indie/alternative radio in 2011-14 and never heard is this group. Truly a failing of the machine. I have also hated any psychedelic album that’s come up but this is an easy 5er for me.

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Oct 18 2023
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5

Hoe goed zijn die drummer en bassist!! Maar ook de rest van de band mag er wezen. Heel genietbaar album, en weer een absolute verrassing!

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Nov 15 2023
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5

This blew my expectations out of the water. Wonderful jamming, easy to listen to yet interesting. It’s noodling that’s actually good! Bravo. This slaps.

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Nov 22 2023
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5

Des fois on met un 5 car la surprise est trop grande par rapport à l'attente. J'ai vraiment aimé l'album. Genre de psychédélique, rock, il y a un peu de tout et c,est bien fait. Vraiment une decouverte !

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Dec 06 2023
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5

I liked this way more than I expected from the album artwork. I could’ve done without the flute, but otherwise this was right up my alley. I think I have a new favorite band. Favorite track: Is and Is and Is

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Dec 08 2023
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5

Never even heard of them before but this is some quality rock and roll. Thanks generator!

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Dec 15 2023
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5

You know what to expect from an Austin country-psych-jam outfit. This is simply a perfectly-wrapped package of it. The production does heavy lifting: The sound is full without ever feeling heavy. Lyrics allusive enough to skate by; The sound's the main attraction, which is to say all playing's killer, never mathy.

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Jan 05 2024
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5

Did not let you off the rollercoaster once. Frenzied but controlled. Played with tempo and dynamics incredibly well.

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Jan 20 2024
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5

can’t believe this album wasn’t made in the 70s - 10/10

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Jan 28 2024
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5

incredible all the way through. hints of king gizzard, fun., the monkees - but still pretty distinct. never heard of them before this but already listening to another album of theirs

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Mar 01 2024
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5

I was not expecting this to be as fun as it was. Totally caught me off guard. The grooves, the vocals, the production: everything is on point. I can't find anything to ding it for so it's getting full marks.

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Mar 03 2024
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5

An updated psychedelic 60s sound for the 10s, this has lots to enjoy, this album gets better and better. Definitely one I could see myself listening to a few more times and enjoying more and more.

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Mar 05 2024
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5

This was a nice discovery. Thanks again, Alex, for the generator!

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Mar 07 2024
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5

Had never heard of them and I loved their sound and song lyrics. Always love hearing a band or individual I’m not heard and enjoy listening too!!

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Mar 15 2024
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5

This is a really great record. Tons of variety and changes to keep things interesting, killer rhythm section work, just overall a really great feeling from listening to this. At The Farm is crazy. It’s like the members of Led Zeppelin doing a Grateful Dead cover band Really I couldn't have been more impressed with this record. It was a huge surprise as I'd never heard anything about this band before.

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Mar 15 2024
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5

One of my favorite albums. Super melodic voyages. I could listen to this one over and over

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Mar 28 2024
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5

Oi by the way Back at the Farm might be one of the greatest songs I've heard out of this entire fucking list. COTDAM it's goin off on this uber home YAOW. Good lordy get lost that's a big tune.

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Apr 28 2024
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5

yet another band i haven't heard of til now with an INSANELY great sound. what happens when you take a typical prog band and take it all the way to the bottom of the states? you get an incredibly sounding collection of impeccable moving and windy rock songs, that's what. this is like... canyon prog. desert prog. dusty prog. does that make sense?

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Apr 30 2024
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5

I was so judgemental and dismissive on first sight of this album. I was more than prepared to write this off as more crap music that nobody has ever heard of that got chosen because the UK list-makers do not have an appropriate barometer for impactful North American music. BUT, and it is a big butt a-thankyoouuu, this has smashed all of my preconceived judgements and shattered my uppity disparaging attitude. I LOVE this! I've looped this record 5 times now today because it's so very enjoyable. I love the sound, I love the instrumentation, I love the vocals and the overall vibes. This is a spectacular little gem that I am truly digging. I've never been so happy to be completely dead wrong in all my life. Despite my propensity to stain, I shall indeed don my finest white denim and join this fucking party. Right on, man.

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May 13 2024
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5

HL: "It's Him", “Anvil Everything”, "Street Joy", "Bess St", "Keys" I don't know what I expected going into this proggy folky garage album, but the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts here. After not being sold on Live/Dead (1969) recently, the comparisons to the Grateful Dead that this album received had me a little gun-shy. Yet its sun-soaked joie de vivre and indulgent, arty noodling made a surprisingly addictive blend. May 12, 2024

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May 21 2024
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5

Incredible transitions, constant instrumental interest, psychodelic while still being approachable, Terrific album.

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May 22 2024
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5

Ooooo. Love me some WD. Even though the name makes me think of Andrew WK. I'm always surprised to see any indie rock on this list. But they definitely kick it up a bunch of notches. They got me right in their tight worn-down pocket.

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Jun 03 2024
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5

The Deadhead in your life’s new favorite album.

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Jun 12 2024
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5

det här är bland det bästa jag hört på länge. trummorna låter så jäkla bra. utöver det så är allt proddat till perfektion. Det finns inga störiga ljud trots att det händer extremt mycket i ljudbilden. Musiken i sig är också helt otroligt bra. Det är på något sätt modern rock fast med ganska tydliga 70-tals influenser. en enkel femma.

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Jun 17 2024
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5

we are so back. this was a joy to listen to!

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Jun 20 2024
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5

Never heard of the band, but they ROCK! Great album from start to finish

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Jun 22 2024
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5

This is some great indie rock. I will be checking out more from them as it hits right where I like it.

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Jul 18 2024
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5

Realistically this would be a 4.5, but I enjoyed it so much a 5 seems fair. What a gorgeous album. Reminds me of a scaled back King Gizzard at times, and an unhinged Cage The Elephant at others. Beautiful.

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Jul 28 2024
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5

This was definitely a great discovery. It’s impossible to decide if you want to call it indie rock, progressive, or psychedelic because it straddles the border between all three of them perfectly. The prog rock side brings out great elements of some jazzier sections with intricate arrangements as they seamlessly blend multiple genres or fade from one to another within one song. I’m really looking forward to checking out more of this band’s catalog.

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Aug 05 2024
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5

Wow. Das war jetzt ein Streifzug durch eine straff konstruierte rhythmische Musiklandschaft. Von der Gruppe und den Album habe ich noch nie etwas gehört. Ab der zweiten Nummer hat es mich gepackt. Street Joy überstrahlt alle, aber das kann man so nicht stehen lassen. Es ist ein Feuerwerk an Soli, Schlagzeuge und wunderschönen Melodien. Dieses Album sollte inzwischen kein Geheimtipp mehr sein.

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Aug 12 2024
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5

Damn, I loved that! Never heard of them before, but I want more of this!

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Aug 28 2024
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5

Now this is what I signed up for! All of the weird technical intricacies of Yes but with almost Beatleque abilities to write a tune. Jazzy, proggy, psychedelic dad rock for the 21st century. Almost makes this generator worth while.

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Aug 29 2024
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5

A very pleasing album. I hope I enjoy it as much on a second listen.

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Sep 05 2024
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5

This was a surprisingly good psych rock/ jam band album. You can tell it was meticulously put together. I really enjoyed it and will definitely come back to it. I'm not sure about it's actual influence, but it may be the best jam band album of the 2010s. I think it teeters on a 5, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Best Songs: Back at the Farm, Street Joy, Drug, Is and Is and Is Worst Songs: NA

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Apr 12 2023
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4

Best: Anvil Everything Worst: Bess St.

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Apr 13 2023
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4

PREFS : It's Him!, At the Farm, Anvil Everything, River to Consider, Drug, Bess St., Is and Is and Is MOINS PREF : Street Joy

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Apr 14 2023
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4

This was a good indie rock album. Felt tropical/psychedelic at times and folk-y at times. Experimental enough without going overboard. Standouts are "Street Joy" "It's Him!" and "Drug" which exemplifies the band's instrumental talent.

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Apr 15 2023
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4

These guys were pretty popular in Austin and Texas for a while. As boring as it sounds, the rhythm section is so hypnotic: bass guitar and drums really set the music apart without distracting from the dreamy guitar and vocals. Surprisingly enjoyed this a lot.

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Apr 16 2023
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4

A rich and spicy blend, with some notes of prog and considerable jam band feels.

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Apr 17 2023
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4

Dit album had ik echt totaal niet verwacht in deze lijst! Altijd gedacht dat het een totaal obscure band was, die toevallig eens op mijn pad was gekomen. Desalniettemin: een heerlijk kort en puntig plaatje!

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Apr 19 2023
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4

Got a bit of everything. Every dynamic accounted for.

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Apr 25 2023
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4

4.5/5. So fun to listen to while high.

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Apr 26 2023
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4

I was very pleased with this one, Good songs: Street Joy

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Apr 27 2023
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4

The best description I've seen for this band is "a jam band that refuse to be boring." Really fun record. Best track: Back at the Farm

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Apr 27 2023
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4

I have never heard of White Denim before and all of the music on D was new to me. I liked all of the tracks on this album. I'm not sure how to even classify this album. I heard some tracks that were leaning towards country (if only slightly) and others that seemed to point towards Progressive Rock (e.g., "Bess St."). It was easy to settle in and listen to the whole album, which was assisted by the way in which some tracks feed right in to the track that follows. "At the Farm was the track that I rated highest. I could easily listen to this album again.

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May 06 2023
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4

It's so satisfying to press play on a completely unfamiliar album and have zero expectations, only to be genuinely impressed by the music. If only more late '00s and early '10s indie albums were like this. D still has the trademarks of the indie music of its era, but it sounds infinitely more interesting thanks to its variety and character. You can bet that I'll be returning to this record sometime, especially to the songs that have words. Really cool stuff! Standouts are Back at the Farm, Street Joy, Bess St., and Is and Is and Is.

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May 08 2023
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4

This was a very cool surprise! Great concept of revitalizing the late 60s rock sound, short and to the point.

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May 08 2023
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4

I was shocked to learn this was a 2011 album. I thought this was straight out of the psychedelic rock era. Great songs and under 40 minutes makes for a great album.

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May 08 2023
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4

Pretty good. Pretty, pretty good.

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May 13 2023
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4

Cat: I’ll definitely be listening to this one through again! Love it! So creative and fun and great sound. Big fan of changing time signatures and prog synth. Radiohead meets Yes. AJ: I don’t know what kind of attention these kids have gotten but they deserve more of it. They’re getting more of mine I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH. What a good rock band. Weird one too. Need a t-shirt.

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May 16 2023
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4

from dad rock to chill indie to jam band to folksy bluesy. a real box of chocolates of an album

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May 16 2023
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4

Surprising good. Never heard of them. I like their progressive rock elements.

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May 16 2023
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4

4/5. A rocking psychedelic country trip. The guitar work is fantastic and the rhythm section goes hard. Groovy and jazzy at times, this is a good musical experience front to back. The last two songs don’t hit as hard which keeps it from a 5 but a high 4 for sure.

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May 19 2023
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4

Very cool start to a nice album, 4/5

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May 25 2023
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4

Really liked this. I'd heard White Denim before but never did a deep dive on them. The voice is soothing, and there's some really killer guitar riffs and solos here.

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May 26 2023
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4

White denim? Check their hard drives.

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May 26 2023
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4

my great white hope, now nothing but memories and what could have been. the Ravel Morrison of alt rock bands. back in the downloading of music days i used to have a load of pre album recordings of white denim and they were terrifyingly good. a distorted, raucous, fast, exciting and messy 3 piece led by drums and bass powering along making pretty technical and difficult playing unnoticeable as it sounded so right. they never bottled that madness on an album and they've got progressively less interesting. still technically gifted but that appears to be the point of them now, a demonstration on technical playing, no discernable 'sound' and no hooklines or songs to remember. basically they've become a university music student band where the ability is through the roof but everything is by the book. despite all my crying and the fixed memory that this album was disappointing, the passing of time and the fading of my initial mourning has shown me that this album is actually pretty good. so what do i know about music? absolutely nothing.

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May 31 2023
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4

ZU KURZ! Erinnert bisschen an die Veckatimest von Grizzly Bear. Welch‘ Perle nach einer langen Durststrecke.

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Jun 01 2023
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4

Some pretty good music here that I liked pretty well. It did feel jam-bandy but fortunately these recordings didn't go on and on too long. Entertaining!

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Jun 01 2023
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4

This is a totally new one for me. It was quite listenable and reminded of the sound of some other band/artist, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I wouldn't mind listening again, although I kind of doubt that I will every think to do so.

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Jun 01 2023
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4

After a few powerhouse albums, this one slipped a bit into the background, sounding a bit like the late morning show on public radio. However, a second listen got me to really appreciate their somewhat retro but always interesting sound. I liked this a lot.

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Jun 03 2023
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4

This is actually a right amount of weirdness for a normal rock for me! Very interesting instrumentation, some great bass lines and crazy melodies, with a lot of instrumental parts. It's actually for the better, because in general I wasn't a big fan of the vocal, maybe that's why it was so sporadic on the album. Very fun record, happy to look into their discography now!

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Jun 06 2023
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4

Hard album to rate, largely instrumental jam-albums need multiple listens imo. This is a jam album with a mix of Jethro Tull, King Gizzard and Funk. Really enjoyed it but feel i need more time with it to see if it holds up during multiple listenens.

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Jun 06 2023
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4

Groovy and peppy. Vocals remind me of the Black Keys (heh) a little bit!

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