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

Cleopatra

The Lumineers

2016

Cleopatra
Album Summary

This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.

Cleopatra is the second studio album by American indie folk band the Lumineers. The album was released in the United States on April 8, 2016, and contains the singles "Ophelia", "Cleopatra", "Angela" and "Sleep on the Floor". The album received positive reviews and commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200. It is the last album by the band to feature Neyla Pekarek, who left in October 2018 to pursue a solo career. The cover is a photograph of actress Theda Bara.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.11

Votes

115

Genres

  • Rock
  • Folk

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Reviews

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Feb 21 2024
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3

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.

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Feb 02 2024
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2

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

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Feb 27 2024
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3

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

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Jan 28 2024
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5

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

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Jan 29 2024
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5

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.

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Feb 27 2024
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4

I, too, went to college in the 2010s

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Feb 25 2024
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3

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.

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Jul 07 2024
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2

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.

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Jan 29 2024
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5

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

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Feb 17 2024
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5

Good choice. Thanks for suggesting

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Mar 12 2024
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5

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

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Nov 10 2024
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5

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

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Nov 10 2024
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5

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!

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Feb 21 2024
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4

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

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May 18 2024
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4

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

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Jun 13 2024
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4

This is nice. 4 Not essential to me though

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Aug 15 2024
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4

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

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Feb 01 2024
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3

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

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Feb 21 2024
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3

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

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Mar 07 2024
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3

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

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Mar 07 2024
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3

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!

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Mar 13 2024
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3

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

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Mar 27 2024
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3

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

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Jun 18 2024
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3

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

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Aug 09 2024
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3

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.

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Aug 12 2024
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3

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

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Sep 12 2024
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3

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

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Oct 20 2024
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3

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

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Feb 02 2024
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2

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.

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Feb 21 2024
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2

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

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Sep 09 2024
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2

Background music for a teen drama 2.4

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Oct 08 2024
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2

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.

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Apr 18 2024
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1

Oh good, more folky garbage. lol @ calling it "stomp clap hey ho" hipster music. It sure is. 1/5.

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Jun 15 2024
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1

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

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