Cleopatra

The Lumineers are kind of derided these days of a relic of that "hey ho stomp clap hey hollar" indie-folk that was very popular around the early 2010s. I think it's... fine. I don't dislike it, but I don't love it. The Lumineers are clearly decent at what they are doing and have a lot of popular songs, but it's not my thing. It's a bit too much U2 meets Folk which feels a bit more about a spectacle.

10/10. I submitted this album, so obviously I like it. I will admit though that it was not my favorite album not to be included on the main list, only my favorite from an artist with no albums on the list. The first three songs are the best start to an album I could ask for, but it does leave the album feeling pretty front-heavy, which is in my mind it's biggest weakness. Also a perfect album to put on for a short drive, because I don't feel obligated to finish it if I get home faster than I expected.

Some very polite and nice sounding modern folk for shows on the CW

of course everyone thinks that Ophelia is good, but the rest was pretty meh TBH

So let me get this straight... From what I understood, this user chose this LP because its best songs are supposedly the first three ones -- and when this person takes a short drive, that's a nice album to play, because they can listen to those three songs in a row and not care if they don't listen to the rest... Am I getting that right? I don't get it. The metrics to choose an album in this list are considerably difficult, between choosing a magnum opus by a legendary artist inexplicably forgotten in the original list - whether a particular album or the artist themself -- ; or picking an album in the genres and subgenres criminally ignored by Dimery ; or selecting a hidden gem that most people have never heard of... And yet, through all those different metrics that this user could have chosen, *this* is what they go for? I really, *really* don't get it. It just looks like this person doesn't care that much for this LP. *LP*, I repeat, not individual songs. I'm an English teacher for French middle-schoolers. I sometimes ask the latter to suggest songs to study in class. The first time I've heard The Lumineers is when one of the students in my 'special needs' class asked me to play "Hey Ho" (from another album by the band) so that we can study its lyrics. Frankly, I was delighted -- you can't imagine the sort of terrible music some of those special needs students listen to (and no, it's not only a generational thing, it's just that those pupils are routinely fed with such crap that they can't possibly develop a somewhat cohesive taste in music). There's a reason "Hey Ho" is the most popular tune by the band: it's a proper folk-pop song, and it's somewhat pleasant to listen to, as quaint and inoffensive as The Lumineers usually are. Unfortunately, this song is not present in this album's tracklist, so I don't have similar personal memories to attach to the latter. I almost took a page out of the user who chose this record, just out of spite, I admit it: I almost decided to only listen to the first three songs, and they were so frigging underwhelming that I wondered if I would not go to a 1/5 grade and leave it at that. Fortunately, I dug deeper, and found out that "Angela", "In The Light" and closer "White Lies" are actually far better tracks than the first three ones in the album, contrary to what this user seems to suggest. So that's gonna be a 2/5 mark for me. FYI, 2/5 in my own criteria to assess albums in this app/website equals a 7/10 grade for more general purposes (5+2), so it's not as if I'm roasting this thing. I'm trying to keep an open mind here. Can I go higher than this, though? No, I just can't. What's frustrating with the other tunes is that *all of them* suffer from the same flaw: lack of development. I can't count the times when a song took a left turn into something that suddenly sounded genuinely interesting or inspiring, and then just... stopped. Here is the key difference between The Lumineers and modern folk-pop acts with a truly distinctive voice such as Other Lives, Fleet Foxes, Big Thief/Adrianne Lenker or Jessica Pratt. In one way or another, they transcend that folk genre through a generous use of their imagination, heart and technical skills. To be clear, it's not that The Lumineers are "bad". They're accomplished musicians who somehow deserve their commercial success. But honestly, with the sheer amount of music produced every day in the world, you need more than "accomplished musicians" for this list. You need genuine artistic *vision*. The real "Cleopatra" is remembered for a reason. She was a queen. 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: 4 Albums from the users list I *might* include in mine later on: 7 Albums from the users list I won't include in mine: 10 (including this one)

About a decade on from the dreaded handclap/footstomp era of indie, the hindsight hasn’t changed much from living in the moment itself. The instrumentals are executed well, the sound design feels alternative, and it sure looks like an independent LP – so why then does the whole thing feel so soulless? There’s not a shred of genuine emotion on this thing, and despite the musical execution the whole thing feels flat. My working theory is that many artists of the time saw this kind of working man, independent lo-fi aesthetic as a covert way to sell out. These tracks may have started out on smaller stations, but eventually they all somehow found their way into mainstream radio, home insurance commercials, and brunch restaurant playlists. It’s the same kind of artificial songwriting that modern pop uses to establish memorability more so than actual musicality, and it still feels just as stale as when it first hit the scene.

Quand ma belle-soeur me disait qu'elle aimait les lumineers je comprenais pas trop, je connaissais seulement I belong with you etc. Mais cette album est juste vraiment trop bon je suis content de l'avoir écouté. Le vibe parfati pour une journée tranquille à la maison. 5

I, too, went to college in the 2010s

July 2, 2025 HL: title track, "Sleep on the Floor", "Ophelia", "Long Way From Home", "Patience" 2017. The year I saw Roger Waters, The Barenaked Ladies, and the Lumineers on their *Cleopatra World Tour*, featuring Icelandic group Kaleo. That last one I was the least enthusiastic about, but my friend had a spare ticket, and who was I to refuse the chance to hear "Ho Hey" sung live. They got "Ho Hey" out of the way three songs in. But while I wasn't particularly excited before or even during the show ('how do people know all the words to these songs?' I wondered), even though it was in a big hockey arena with shitty sound, I still recall that concert with great fondness. "Cleopatra" the song slapped, their tributes to Tom Petty and Bob Dylan were endearing, and I'm sorry but "Sleep on the Floor" cut through my attempt at cynicism with ease. As with Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves, I guess seeing them tour in support of this album meant I felt no urgency to listen to it. And while I'm no stranger to the first half ("Sleep" through to "Angela"), the 2nd is pretty great too, with songs I haven't heard before like "Sick in the Head". Ahh, nothing like nostalgia for my 20s while I'm still in my 20s.

Favorite songs: Cleopatra, Ophelia, Sleep on the Floor, Long Way From Home, Where the Skies are Blue, Angela, Gale Song, White Lie Least favorite songs: Patience, Sick in the Head 4/5

This was probably one of the best Indie Folk albums I've ever heard, but suffers from the same issue as the entire genre. It all sounds the same. This 4 is begrudging, it's really more of a 3.1 in a genre of 3s.

Perfectly fine and free range, 100% organic inide rock from the aughties. One likes these guys more than Mumford, Magnetic Zeroes, Avett Bros and Old Crow, (but less than Dawes). The other commenters seem on track (one shares their sentiments generally) though this is considerably less stompy/clappy than this genre (or sub-genre) at its worst. It's relatively quiet and reflective and played on traditional instruments -- all of which are a credit to the Lumineers (and the recommender, by extension). So rounding up.

Back in the good old days when I used to listen to the radio, the Lumineers would regularly get played on the station I usually listened to. I never turned the station, but at the same time I can't say I really loved it. It was always good, but maybe a little bland. That's how I feel about this album. There's nothing I can point to that's bad about it, but it's just a little boring. 3 stars.

Nice little folky album. Ophelia and Cleopatra are good songs, the other songs are just ok and a bit boring.

Ugh the Lumineers. I just cannot stand them. Thankfully it was relatively short. Stay away

Definitely loses some steam after the first couple songs, but come on! 9/10

Good choice. Thanks for suggesting

Really love the indie folk sound. There was a smile on my face when I saw this album was submitted

I liked this album quite a lot. Nice songs loaded with surprising little delightful moments.

Absolutely gorgeous.

It's very, very nice!

I was very glad to hear more of The Lumineers today, only having really known "Ho Hey" previously—that being a favorite song. This was great, I loved it lots and I was not only just permitted to play the whole thing with my more musically picky spouse in the room, she loved it too. Thanks for a nice afternoon listening together!

Truly exceptional. Heartfelt, soulful, catchy. The first 5 songs are as strong of a start to an album as nearly any around. I really like the very modest arrangements and let the vocals and subtle instruments work their magic. Sleep on the Floor is my favorite.

Excellent.

This is a beautiful album. Couldn’t have picked a more perfect gloomy day to listen to it too.

Yeah, I mean, it deserves a spot. Not my favorite though. A little samey.

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Sleep on the floor, Ophelia, Angela

This is nice. 4 Not essential to me though

Refreshing!

A very enjoyable and incredibly pleasant 2010s indie folk album. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Cleopatera Date listened: 20/08/24

Pretty decent

imo their first album is better, but this one is still very good

I’m very susceptible to the stomp claps of this album. The lyrics are cringe tragedy and it definitely sounds like a 2010s album but goddamn if sleep on the floor and Ophelia aren’t total bangers. They’re so good they carry the rest of the album. Also just realizing that there’s not much difference between this and Noah kahan.

It's folky and honest. Angela is probably one of the better songs on the album, even with the big hits, Cleopatra and Ophelia. I enjoyed the straightforward nature of this album more than others.

I really enjoyed this album when it came out in 2016, not sure if Iv listened to it since, enjoyed coming back to it today, good choice.

I have vaguely heard of this group before but never sought out their music as it usually isn’t my thing. This album I really enjoyed and has changed my perception of them and I definitely will check out more of their discography in the future.

Ahh yeah The Lumineers. They have a sound and sure commit to it. I am not entirely against it but I remember them being everywhere when this came out. This, or their debut, are a good representation of that early 2010s vibe. My personal rating: 3.5/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Hmm... a hard one. I'd lean towards a slight yes given how prolific their sound was around the early 2010s.

I feel like this is one of those albums where the production really makes it work. The songs are well-crafted, and they are both played and sung beautifully, but the production really helps give it emotional depth. It's like there's so much open space in the record, and yet it feels cozy and warm. The producer does need to back off on the reverb on the vocals a bit, since he occasionally sounds like he's been trapped down a well and needs Lassie to rescue him. Other than that, it's just a really peaceful album that's easy to connect with emotionally 4/5

A lovely bit of 2010s nostalgia and my sister’s favourite album from her favourite band. That’s gotta count for something, right?

Should have sought them out beyond Hey Ho. But it is excellent. First 5* in a while. The extra star is awarded cos I have a new artist to discover

Really solid indie-folk, Americana album.

actually pretty good although every track has been overplayed to death for me since my mom is a diehard fan I also have no idea why he sings with such a strong southern accent when he’s lived in new jersey his whole life, but who am I to judge lol - 8/10

Strong singer-songwriter stuff. Could see hanging out for a full set

Knew more songs on this album than I thought. I once heard someone call this type of music Clap, Stomp, Hey and that makes me laugh every time I think of it. This was a really pleasant album especially the song Gale Song. Was a nice album to listen to on a rainy day

HO! HEY! It’s The Lumineers! I can’t say I’m terribly excited to see these guys pop up on this list, but hey, what can you do? I sat through two entire Happy Mondays albums on the main list, so I say The Lumineers deserve a fair shake too. Time to throw on my Toms and head to ACL! I don’t know if it’s the low expectations that I had for this album going into it, but I thought this was a good album. I was expecting The Lumineers to really lean into the whole stomp clap sound on this album since their biggest song before this paid off in spades for them, but this was just a solid pop folk album. I think the thing that surprised me the most is how well they used empty space in the sound to create a feeling in the lyrics that was vulnerable and genuine. Nothing about this album felt forced, and I was really surprised by that. It didn’t hurt that this album started off with a really good run of three songs; I thought the rhythms on the lead off track were particularly good. There were some songs throughout the album that were a bit boring, but even if this album was a bit front-loaded, “Sick in the Head” was one of the strongest tracks on the album, so you’re rewarded for paying attention as this album goes on. This isn’t the sort of thing I gravitate towards, but I thought it was a good album and it was enjoyable to listen to.

I didn't dislike this but it didn't really distinguish itself for me from a lot of similar neo-old timey acts.

Perfectly okay stomp-clap-hey music that doesn't overstay it's welcome

Some nice tracks, and I like the reverby-sound. But all-in-all nothing to really get excited about.

This is that band with the anoying 'Hey ho'. The however is pretty good to swallow. Nice vibes an a sunny day like this. But together it is also very tidy and pop minded. That's not bad, but a little more edge would be nice!

Beautiful album, but hardly special. The band was part of an eclosion of indie folk bands at the beginning of the 10s. They were one of the good ones, but a bit reiterative. No big deal

Apple commercial? "Alternative" coffee shop? Melancholic hipster? Here's the soundtrack.

Good melodies and hooks elevate this folk music above the usual Nashville-style Americana. Reminds me a lot of Whiskey Town.

The Lumineers' first album came out in 2012, the same year that Mumford & Son's 'Babel' came out. Incidentally, following that release, Mumford & Sons would completely change their sound and move away from the put-on stomp and holler sound that made them famous. After we collectively emerged from this strange time in popular music that saw the rise of commercialized neo-traditional Americana, this music began to feel contrived and fake. These artists may have been earnest, but the swift rise and fall of this genre feels suspect in hindsight. This album was released in 2016, well after this genre had its day in the sun. That suggests to me that the Lumineers, who still release on an independent label, are not merely chasing a trend. Though this music is no longer to my taste, I recognize decent song craft when I hear it. There is a decent command of tension building and release (something that I think was largely responsible for this genres brief popularity), and the vocal performances are occasionally great. The music itself falls firmly into stomp and holler indie folk, yet there is something in the piano work that suggests an early 20th century Tin Pan Alley/ragtime feel that was more present on their first album. This album is definitely front heavy, though I find that some tracks on the back half more contemplative and interesting emotionally. I still enjoy the Lumineers for nostalgia's sake and it makes me think back fondly to my undergraduate days when I was discovering music for myself for the first time when their first album came out.

I really enjoy the style the lumineers have. It’s perfect for all the modern day hipsters. Aside from that they make good folk pop music and it’s enjoyable to drive and listen to their albums. This one is a good example of that easy and upbeat lyrics. Catchy tunes and choruses. All around fun stuff. 7.2/10

On paper this reads like something I might like, but this album didn't do much for me. A pleasing listen for a fall day, but ultimately not very memorable. But you know what, I somehow managed to make it to 2024 without ever listening to the Lumineers, so I appreciate the chance to check them out. Thanks for sharing. Fave Songs: In the Light, Cleopatra, Ophelia, Sleep on the Floor

Americana, folk rock, indie folk. Ni fu ni fa.

I did enjoy. The Gun Song was a little off centre, but then it’s the only one I can remember so it has succeeded in some ways.

This reminds me a lot of David Gray.

I feel like we've had plenty worse than Cleopatra but, at the same time, I can't really understand why this would be top of someone's list on the user submissions. It's got a decent floor, quality never drops to something unlistenable, but it also doesn't really drive forward into something memorable either; it's a crude parallel because they're not really the same by design, but I got quite a few (later years) Gaslight Anthem vibes from the first half of the album (Cleopatra the title track is an example of that, it's the best track on the album) and it just left me thinking that it was inferior by comparison, but also wanting more of that sound when it veered away into more folksy stuff. It's proper slap bang in the 2.5 range but because a lot of 2s are crap, I think on the whole number scale it gets a 3 because it's absolutely fine, beige, but fine.

Remember these guys? Think they're from Colorado. Basically one-hit wonders but this album is actually pretty cool. Hadn't heard it before but pretty good! Maybe we were too harsh on them. 3.5/5

This was okay. The vocals annoy me but I guess it's just not my thing, doesn't mean it's bad. Overall it all sounded fairly the same.

Yeah this was fairly pleasant! Was only ever an intermittent Lumineers fan, liked the odd song. But it was nice enough to hear! Reminiscent of a time which is always nice

It's a pop folk album. Oh look, there's clapping. Oh no! It's been invaded by twee drum beats.

When this came up I thought I wasn't familiar with it but somehow it was, so I guess it was in the air for a while? I can see how it was popular and how someone might love this album. Catchy and easy to listen to.

Quite nice

Fine. I feel like maybe we had Mumford & Sons in the UK while the US had this? Nothing standing out to me but nothing pissing me off. Fine.

Somehow sounds dated, less than 10 years since it came out. In this country (the UK) at least, it was released around the end of the indie-folk revival, which The Lumineers had been roped into with their first album. By 2016 however, everyone had kind of moved on, leaving 'acoustic guitar + strings + vocal harmonies' as a vestigial remnant of the summers before. Not their fault, and the music is okay(ish) I guess, but it certainly stands out as the work of a band whose time had (already) passed.

Fine, don’t see why you’d have to hear it before you die though!

Another band that pops up my algorithm but I’ve never dove into. I should spend more time with them. There is something there.

Not bad

Meh. Kind of dull.

I had the Lumineers mentally filed in the "Godawful overproduced garbage" category next to shit like The 1975, but as it turns out, it's completely inoffensive indie folk. Nothing that hasn't been done a million times before on much better albums, but whatever, I kinda enjoyed it I think. "Ophelia" was great.

Not to my liking but ok

Again? Oh no, it's not the same album I listened to for almost 100 times on the original list every time the Wikipedia page started "it's a American/UK indie band", it's a new one. Honestely, it's not a bad album and I'm sure whose picked it for the user list love the album, but to me it's quite hard to find real pleasure listening to something so similar to anything on radios around 2010s, not because it's annoying or nor well produced, but just because it hugely lacks novelty so hard that is impossible to really enjoy the album fully.

Indie folk Americana. Its fine...

Ahhh, good call. The seeds are all here for the other bands to come. I never got into these guys but would have liked to.

This was good but quite drawn out.

Heard it before and is just fine

Rock, Folk. Nop, lo siento, me parece todo igual.

Americana, folk rock, indie folk. Ni fu ni fa.

Har väl inga direkta fel egentligen men det här är ingen musik som tilltalar mig.

just read about this genre on reddit. wanted someone to explain why i dont really like this and two terms stood out. "stomp clap" and "gang vocals" and its really spot on, you just get it instantly. also that they shout "HEY" in every chorus. it feels like this music and style in general was a big hipster hype a number of years ago and hasn't aged particularly well. if i would have heard this like in 2010, even though this came out in 2016, i would have loved it.

I've never been a fan of the Lumineers, not really into the boom, stomp, clap, "HEY" music of the 2010s. I don't have anything against this record as far as the quality, but it isn't for me. This is fun for some people, the songwriting, lyrics, and vocals were interesting and felt original, production was fine. I wouldn't say I was bored by this album, but it certainly did not make a big impact on me. Glad you enjoy it. 3/5

Oh boy we get some Stomp-Clap-Hey on the list! Good thing I just waxed my mustache, cuffed my jeans, and put on my beanie (70 degrees outside). I make fun of this because The Lumineers lined up squarely with my high school days so I saw the worst of it. In reality, I enjoyed The Lumineers a good bit back then. While they fell off later, it wasn't cause they were bad, it's just not the most exciting of listens. That said, they still bring a nice, light calmness to the table that I can always appreciate. This album is about what I expected, I'm sure it could hit a bit higher in the right setting, but this one goes down as a pretty square 3.

In The Light is a really pleasant listen. Really enjoy My Eyes too. For a boom-stomp "I'm quirky and like to wear suspenders and workwear to show it off" kind of album this was better than I expected. At its best calming. At its worst forgettable. 3 / 5

There are nice melodies in here, especially bookending, which is to say that the real "in: falls limp. Neither spirited nor reaches out to mine.

I'll take The Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver for this sort of indie-folk thing.

Not my taste

Background music for a teen drama 2.4

If you were a white 20-something hipster boy with main character syndrome in the mid to late aughts, this was your schtick. If you were a white 20-something hipster "manic pixie dream girl" this was your crack.

Uh this genre sucks

Kveikir ekkert sérstaklega í mér.

Pretty good

I can’t diss them too much since Neyla Pekarek went to the same college as my brother and I and their hit song came out while we were at that college. I was never a huge fan beyond the one song and this album didn’t change my mind. I would have loved a cleopatra theme to this album but it didn’t feel like that at all which was a bummer.

An inoffensive stomp-clap folk album that sounds like every other inoffensive stomp-clap folk album. The first couple of songs are pretty good - the opener is quite expansive and varied while the big single Ophelia is very catchy - but there’s nothing of note later in the tracklist. Not a dreadful album, just a quite boring one, and sometimes that’s worse

This one didn’t have their famous song, but all the other songs sound exactly like the famous song. 2010s Coming of Age Movie sound. Of a very specific time, and I wasn’t really into them when the time was right, either.

Disappointed in the end. Ophelia has a killer hook…that’s gets old real soon. And there were too many tracks I wanted to skip. Feels a bit harsh, but there it is.

With the rise of indie folk in the 2000s/2010s, some groups opted for more radio-friendly approaches to their music with simpler songwriting and stripped-down rhythms. All of this polished with a nice, inoffensive production style and you've got stomp-and-holler. Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men, and of course the Lumineers would be labelled as "boring" by the more negative music critics, but there's obviously more to it than that. Otherwise, we wouldn't have Kyle Gordon's recent lampoon of the genre with his song We Will Never Die or the viral internet discussion of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros' early hit Home being considered the "worst song ever made". Clearly this sort of music does strike a chord with people, even if that chord is sour. You probably know the Lumineers from their hit Ho Hey, which is perhaps the definitive stomp and holler song with literal stomps and shouts in the song's intro. If you were paying much attention in the early 2010s then you likely heard it on the radio or in a commercial somewhere. It was a song that was moreso forced upon you than one you actively pursued. The group's songwriter Wesley Schultz said it was meant to grab people's attention because audiences kept getting bored and distracted at their shows. Incredible. This song single-handedly earned the Lumineers a best new artist and best americana album nomination at the 2013 Grammy's (losing to Fun and Bonnie Raitt, respectively) along with a boatload of album sales. Cleopatra is their follow-up. Despite charting well, this is a nothing album. It had no lasting impact, it has no memorable songs, it has nothing noteworthy about it. It's a perfectly inoffensive listen that just passes you by. It's not annoying or abrasive or disturbing, but it isn't good either. The nicest thing I can say about it is that it occasionally has some pleasant melodic runs, but even those parts never seemed to have anything to lift them up. This feels like it barely qualifies as music at all. I will not remember a thing about it. CONTENDER FOR THE LIST: Could 2010s indie folk/pop use a little more representation on the list? Sure, but probably not this album.

Overplayed 2010s hipster fodder. Wouldn't mind it if it were an instrumental album. Patience was nice.

Yawn...... This album is the decaf soy latte of music. It's there and I'm sure it serves a purpose for someone, but good lord it's not for me. It just doesn't go anywhere! Even the person who submitted this album admits that the back half is forgettable. I'm glad this genre of music had its moment and I'm even more glad that that moment has passed.