Ants From Up There

When I got the opportunity to put up my album, I very nearly chose this one. If I was given the chance again today, I probably would choose this one. I’ve been fortunate enough to see them live twice, I’ve commemorated this album with a tattoo, and I will listen to this almost anytime I have an hour+ drive. Belting out the final lyrics to Basketball Shoes genuinely makes me lightheaded and I assume I will one day die having passed out at the wheel of my car because of it. It will have been worth it.

Yes, brilliant choice. I was completely obsessed with this album when it came out. Isaac leaving the band just before its release only further cemented as an instant cult classic, and it’s easily one of my favourite post-2020 records. That said, it does cast a long shadow. I love this album so much that post-Isaac BCNR just doesn’t really land for me, it feels like something essential is missing.

Ants From Up There is the second album by Black Country, New Road. Their original singer and main songwriter left the band after this one, but the other members produced a great successor anyway. This album goes in every direction with structures that seems to fall apart and combine again to something that works. Still the songs are catchy and do not sound overthought or too complex.

Of all the days I could have had this one pop up on my generator, it has to come up *today*, when I had quite a shitty day at work, PLUS not enough hours of sleep the night before, PLUS an interview with a band on Zoom tonight, aimed for a feature on the music publication I write for these days (the interview fortunately went very well in spite of my tiredness, thanks for asking!)... Truth be told, I'm exhausted to death now, and there's no way I can do justice to this great record with my feeble energy and inadequate words. But in a way, this personal state of affairs is in keeping with the world-weary mood of *Ants From Up There*. Disillusioned-yet-poignant cuts like "Bread Song" and "Haldern" slapped especially hard when I took some time to revisit them today, at a moment where I was particularly fed up with bullshit coming my way. Lively opening song "Chaos Space Marine" and synth-enhanced / gently bouncing "Good Will Hunting" still managed to infuse the right amount of energy so that I stopped whining for a while. "Concorde" is on the surface, a more inert composition (never understood why it was chosen as a single, and put in such a pivotal, prominent place in the tracklist), but even this objectively "weakest" song in the album harbors some killer arrangements if you pay attention to details. Indie-rock sad fanfare, art-rock despondent extravaganza, melancholic post-rock conveyed via "minimalistic" arrangements and expressionistic lead vocals verging on sprechgesang... It's still hard to pinpoint the style of Black Country, New Road four years later. But the results are still very striking and one-of-a-kind. BCNR's sophomore LP is a more melodic and also more sprawling (even meandering?) affair than their influential and all-around great debut *For The First Time*, and this comes with a price dynamics-wise. But the peaks of *Ants From Up There* are still a thing of wonder now. And about that, the album really comes into its own in its perfect last leg. Of course, by that point, some might say it's a little late to convince doubting Thomases. I beg to differ, because "The Place Where He Inserted the Blade", "Snow Globes", "Basketball Shoes" are three timeless gems justifying every hairpin curves that have come before it. That last song trilogy has so many assets: poignant chords and harmonies (here's that adjective again), heartrending performances (especially on the first song's chorus), some very daring turns instrumentation-wise (especially those unhinged free jazz drums in "Slow Globes"), all of those things paving the way to an absolutely visceral overall result. "Basketball Shoes" is a cult song now -- even if Isaac Wood had not left the band right after the release of the LP, its final climax would still shine with that same, very impressive dark light. I'm glad that the rest of the band keeps on recording albums these days. They're still a great act live, and I loved *Forever Howlong* last year. It's still a little soon to say if Isaac Wood will be remembered as the Syd Barrett of his generation -- honestly, I only wish for him to live a happy life now, so that my stupid "boomer comparison" ends up coming off as totally nonsensical a decade down the line. . But as much as I love what BCNR are doing now, I have to admit the man had a very specific aura and artistic input. I know his mannerisms are an acquired taste for some -- maybe rubbing you the wrong way, just like my own whining at the start of this review??? But for many other indie-rock buffs, Isaac Wood is slowly becoming a genuine legend. *Ants From Up There* might be the last opportunity to hear his voice on a record. And if it ends up becoming his "swan song', what a swan song it is! A hell of a way to say goodbye, and leave an imprint in the history of British rock. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list dedicated to essential albums, rounded up to 5. 9.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 4.5) ---- Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 465 Albums from the original list I *might* include in mine later on: 288 Albums from the original list I won't include in mine: 336 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 79 (including this one) Albums from the users list I *might* select for mine later on: 98 Albums from the users list I won't select for mine: 195 ---- Émile, tu trouveras ma dernière réponse sous le *Inside* de Bo Burnham

I don't get it, I just don't. This LP absolutely dominated the indie scene for over a year when it dropped, and I'm still struggling to understand what people love about it. If the whole album had been similar to 'Basketball Shoes' earthshaking guitar and passion, I probably would've loved it – instead, it's mostly run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter instrumentals that seem afraid of their own shadow, and a lead vocalist who would give any mumble rapper a run for their money. The whole experience feels like the band took way too much Ambien and is stumbling their way around a Walmart while the lead singer talks to himself. Maybe people were just clamoring for some alto sax? That's the only element that really qualifies this for the 'arthouse' label, otherwise it's just as bland as any other overhyped indie singer-songwriter project. Feel this is one of those albums that whose hype snowballed well beyond its worth and got showered in accolades/adoration in the moment, yet will only be remembered on critic's lists rather than any impact on the scene itself. Given how little fanfare the band's the recent releases have made, it really reminds me of Pinegrove's situation – an absolute sensation in the moment, but now a flash in the pan footnote when compared to the defining albums of the 2010s. There are so many more exciting and innovative albums that have been released this decade which deserve a spotlight here as opposed to whatever this LP is.

Isaac come back

Completely new group for me - and very interesting indeed. Lots of interesting instruments including glockenspiel, marimba, mandolin, banjo and flute… they have some interesting arrangements and songs that aren’t always my favorite but keeps it all interesting to me. I was sort of wavering around a 4 rating but then something about “The Place Where He Inserted the Blade” really hooked me and I think was my breakthrough moment when I really turned on to this album. Different and interesting and worthy of this list.

Okok, this is an exceptional album. I just wish the intro was longer

My son, who's in college, turned me on to this band a couple years ago. It's an amazing album. So unique and interesting. 5 stars.

I didn’t want to enjoy this because the Apple Music blurb about the album annoyed me. Something about music journalism that is so twatty. Anyhoo, actually did enjoy this possibly because it is super similar to the Divine Comedy, lyrically and vocally.

I didn't really care for this. The lyrics/vocals vacillated between histrionics and kind of irritating monologuing and the music was underbaked. I didnt despise it or anything but I wasn't sad when it was finished.

overrated

I really fucking hated this. Overwrought and needy. Music like this died in 2010 for a reason.

Huh, I think I have some other band conflated with these folks in my head, because I thought I'd given all their stuff at least a couple of spins, but lastfm assures me that's not actually the case, except for "For the First Time"... 🤔 Anyway, yeah, I dig it. Overwrought proggy chamber-folky post-punk. Good stuff! I guess I should queue up their later albums without this singer, then, but he's definitely a lot of the appeal for me. Fave tracks - "Concorde", "The Place Where He Inserted the Blade" and "Basketball Shoes" Woulda happily seen "Intro" expanded out to a ~7 min epic, too...

A good fun frolic of an album. Chaos Space Marine grabbed me right from the start with its energy, and all the Billie Eilish mentions throughout really piqued my curiosity — how often does a band weave a pop star into their post-rock landscape? Snow Globes and Basketball Shoes are just great, sprawling epics that build and build. Knowing this was Isaac Wood's last album with the band makes the whole thing hit differently. An absolute gem.

Do not ask me why, but I have loved this band since the first time I listened to them. This is not my favorite album, but I'l left a 5 before finishing it.

My brother recommended that I listen to this album back when it came out, which I did, but I don't remember much about it, other than the fact that I've been meaning to revisit it for quite some time now. Thankfully, today, I finally have a really good reason to listen to it again. I wouldn't consider this album something that I'd be quick to fire up again, but damn, I do think it's incredibly well made. I really love the way the band seems to take their melodies apart throughout their songs and then rebuild them later. The songs on this album air on the longer side, but the journey is worth it every time. I really love the way they used the violin, cello, and saxophone as well. The band never relied too heavily on those elements, but they used them in ways that still gave this album a really distinct sound. I'd probably have to go with either "Concorde" or "Bread Song" as my favorite here, but "Snow Globes" is also really excellent. This album isn't every day listening for me, but I still think it's wonderful, and it should definitely be considered for a future edition of the book.

I was just listening to this last week and reading about the unfortunate history behind the band so glad to see it pop up today! A great choice. This really is special and different from other albums (apart from 'For the first time' of course) Extra points for the iconic cover too.

Had some Arcade Fire vibes from some of the songs. Quite good album

I remember when this came out, it was everywhere among the indiesphere. It made a bunch of best of lists for 2022. I have to say, I am not the biggest fan of this album and much prefer the follow-up album from them. I don't particularly enjoy the lead singers voice and I'm somewhat on the side of liking that he left before this album came out. This is a perfect example of an album I fully expect to be in the updated version of the book. It's a critics darling and those really into the indiesphere but I dunno if it'll stand the test of time. My personal rating: 4/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Slight no.

Very good art rock with dense instrumentation and some really solid, emotional lyrics (until it hits you with bullshit like "She had Billie Eilish style"). "The Place Where He Inserted The Blade" is a strong contender for the best song of this decade. Definitely a worthy 2020s inclusion for the list, even if I personally think their debut is a more musically interesting and tighter package.

Americana with a lot of...sax? This one started out strange but there's some powerful stuff buried within.

Most of this I found to be enjoyable if not forgettable. As a saxophone player, I’m always happy when saxes show up. But Basketball Shoes was amazing! Reminded me of something you’d hear on Bowie’s final albums.

One of the best albums of the 2020s and the apex of the Windmill scene, combining its angular and noisy alt-rock with soaring melodies and a real emotional core

very nice. the place where he inserted the blade fucking rocks.

This was a band I got introduced to by the algorithm during the pandemic. Since then I have really grown to appreciate their music as it is not just a cut and paste of all the current sounds. They maintain their own voice and continue to grow creatively.

Love it

I recall when this album was released and it made a lot of year end lists about how great it was. I never really agreed completely but I do enjoy it overall. It seems every few years there is a band that releases a wildly unique indie rock band with lyrics that are melancholy while an array of instruments are played throughout the album. This one has all of that and it’s pretty solid but with time I feel it may lose its luster. 6.8/10

Not terrible. I enjoyed a few tracks, but on the whole it was just okay. I didn't enjoy the vocals really.

New band to me with some very strong, mellow songs. But also some that I wish would’ve ended sooner from annoyance.

This played and I listened

The instrumentation was pretty good. The first few tracks had a lot of good stuff in it musically. And then the singer came on. Honestly, he wasn't that bad, but when I was looking at stuff online I thought they didn't even have a singer. But as the album went on, I warmes to the singer. He reminded me a bit of a cross between Peter Hammill and Nick Cave. I watched the video for "Concorde," I kinda wish I hadn't. It was a bit too weird. "Good Will Hunting," for some reason, reminded me of the title from King Crimson's album "Islands". Not sure why, though. "Snow Globes" was a bit.... repetitive. "Snow globes don't shake on their own" indeed. I would like to hear more instrumental work form this group. Probably not going to happen, though. Top tracks: "Intro," "Chaos Space Marine," "Good Will Hunting"

Nice

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Good will hunting

There's a few songs on here that I like but the album itself is just meh overall.

Not at all what I was expecting. Much better than I was expecting but not really my cup of tea. It’s a good record for sure. A bit too long.

Favourite songs: Concorde, Haldern, Good Will Hunting, Basketball Shoes Least favourite songs: Bread Song 3/5

Not as heavy as I would have expected, more folky and americana influenced. Good solid album, which I would probably have got even more into with a bit more time to listen a few more times through - no time for that though; there's another album waiting!

Rien à dire, rien à faire

Vet inte vad jag ska säga om det här. Hade på skivan på jobbet och hux flux var skivan slut utan att jag knappt hade uppfattat något. Antar att det var ganska okej.

When you order albums by Dave Matthews Band, Arcade Fire, and Bright Eyes from Temu.

Post-rock, chamber pop, indie rock. Al final me ha aburrido. Un 2.

I did not enjoy this one at all.

Didn't do much for me.

Mostly irritating..

This felt like a knock off of Arcade Fire.

A straight hour of slow rock. Every song a dirge. Instrumentation's at least got some complexity, but this one seems like one of those that people enjoy for mostly inside baseball reasons

I guess this is one of those “England loves it but it never made it to America” like Robbie Williams or Lily Allen. Some of the comments seem to make this a big deal but it sounded pretty basic and boring for the most part. Just…..nothing there that’s interesting.

Post-rock, chamber pop, indie rock. Al final me ha aburrido. Un 2.

Did he really just sing "Don't eat your toast in my bed"? The song is called Bread Song and yes, he did sing that. We'll get back to this. OK, so I've never heard of these clowns before, but they appear to be a bastard lovechild of chamber pop and sad white boy music. That's not a combination I ever expected to work, because to have success in chamber pop you rather need to have a knowing smile and absolutely no sign of seriousness. There's a few things I do like. The band is grand, the production is decent. What I genuinely don't like is the effusive effusions of the fanbase. Seriously guys, they're a band. You don't need to stroke yourselves silly over sad white boy music. Especially not sad white boy music that does so much that should be tongue-in-cheek, but just comes off as an epitome of art ponce poncery. Back to the eating of toast in bed - as an example. It's a fucking stupid lyric. Yes yes, fanboy art ponces. It's poetry, I know. Oh, it's an metaphor for intimacy is it? Really! Wow, how clever. Fuck. I hope you have fun with the debt you took on to get that bachelor's degree in English Lit, you clever tosser. But you know what? It is still a fucking stupid lyric, and the song just reeks of an almost Incel-level of entitlement. Sad white boy got blueballed. Oh dear, how sad, nevermind. I'm very glad that Isaac Wood left the band, because the whole meta of this album is that Isaac (yes, he references himself by name) really, genuinely needs some help. The Billie Eilish style woman in this is a wank-fantasy, an unwilling and uninterested pedestal occupier, and at no point is she treated as a human being with her own agency, or even her own self. Her actions are not hers, and as Isaac five hundred days of Summer's her, I find myself detaching further from what otherwise could have been a decent-enough album. The last two tracks are interminable wankfests. Weighing in at 9 minutes and almost thirten minutes respectively, they occupy a third of the run-time of the album, often filling up this aeon with repeated phrases and indolent wallowing. The crescendo is torturously slow to arrive, and then just fucks off without even a goodbye. Overall, this album made me interested in Black Country, New Road. I do hope Isaac has gotten himself into some sort of shape, and I might even try some of BCNR's later stuff in the hopes that they're moving away from the wankier aspects of this album. Rating it is tough, because for self-indulgence it needs to be low. Much as it would be entertaining to hear the autistic screeches of the fanboys, it can't be too low because there is an album here that - as a performance - is worth something. Even if it is too long.