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Relatives in Descent is the fourth studio album by American post-punk band Protomartyr released on 29 September 2017. Their first to be released through Domino Recording Company, the album is much darker and more philosophical than its predecessors. While lyrically not a concept album, it is produced so that many songs flow from one to another seamlessly. Relatives in Descent received critical acclaim upon release, with many publications ranking it one of the best albums of the year. In a perfect score review for The Guardian, Ben Beaumont-Thomas called the album "sensational" and praised Casey's "soapbox poetry" lyrics, noting that it "never becomes leaden or pedantic" despite tackling serious issues. "While his band has grown into a post-punk monster," wrote Ben Salmon for Paste, "Casey, too, has moved beyond his personal frets and frustrations and developed into a lyricist capable of clear and compelling commentary. He's a voice worth listening to."
You know it's a great album when you get disappointed that it's over. Excellent balance between harsh a melodic ideas, deadpan vocals reminiscent of Nick Cave, and the flow of tracks from one to another was seamless. This was a great add that I probably never would have listened to otherwise, thanks!
I must be careful not to cross over into glibness, but there's a review which captured Relatives perfectly but in which I come to exactly the opposite conclusion. Yes, it's a sad record, and yes, it has some nice drum recordings. In fact, the compositions feel led by the drums into a crashing city. The rubble thundering is from buildings tall enough to collapse eternally. Joe's writing is apocalyptic, funny, perfect for a lazy listener like me. Just this time around I found myself ready for the Flann O'Brien reference. This record is always a cathartic listen; It's also brutal. Couldn't have been a fun adventure recording, exactly, but I imagine I'll always be grateful to Protomartyr for doing it.
An excellent record. The band has always been under the radar in Europe I think, but they are nectar for connoisseurs. This is probably their best work
Good drum work but very sad sounding singer
Post-punk lives on.
Always excited to hear a band from Detroit that I wasn't already familiar with. I liked this a lot, and I have a feeling it will be rewarded by repeated listening, so that's what I plan to do. Thanks to whoever added this! 4 stars.
4 Awesome!
Intresting style. Quite enjoyed this album
Great band! Dark and strange, eerie and unnerving. Catchy hooks and never cliche. And that bass, that bass!
This album reminded me of Joy Division/New Order with a good dose of Sonic Youth style noise rock thrown in. The vocal delivery reminded me of Nick Cave at times as well. Overall, this was a good listen and it is a solid post-punk album. However, by the way the album sounded, I expected it to be older than it was. It seems to retread a lot of what came before.
Big ups to whoever put some Protomartyr on the list. While this is definitely the band's most consistent LP, their entire discography is amazing – led by Joe Casey's trademark vocals and a distinctive post-punk sound, this outfit has created an unmistakable sonic signature that stands out among a crowded field. I'd listened to most of these tracks in isolation, but they really come together as a full LP. There's an innate sense of isolation and ruin, of things lost and left behind. It's amazing how evocative the songwriting is with just a little reverb guitar, simple pounding melodies, and of course Casey preaching/droning on top. Excellent album and a perfect addition to the more modern 1001 canon.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: A private understanding, Windsor hum, Up the tower, Male plague, Half sister
Sure is post punk. 6/10
I don't know how necessary I'd consider the album, but enjoyable enough and the smooth transitions were a significant plus.
Definitely not bad. I enjoy the song structures, but I kind of want it to be a bit more "raw" a la The Fall. Like the vocals are a bit too pretty? Even though they aren't. I dunno.
Protomartyr is a very cool name for music that is fine
Noisy post-punk rock with aggressively muttery vocals, I didn't hate it but found it hard to really focus in.
Saw post punk and thought I'd last one track. Pleasantly surprised
This was really interesting to listen to. A more than meets the eye kinda punkband, which sometimes reminded me of Joy Division. Cool vibe!
Pleasantly surprised. May check out some more.
I like a good post-punk album, but this was a bit too raw and abrasive for me.
3/10. Sounded like Nick Cave, but a little less harsh. Almost fell asleep in my chair 2-3 times trying to listen to this. Definitely not my thing
More post punk. No thanks, I listened to three years of this mediocre forgettable stuff.
Not much of my taste
Meh, post-punk crud. Does this stuff pride itself on all sounding identical? 2/5.
It wasn't awful but I definitely did not need to hear it. It wasn't too long. Nothing really noteworthy about it. I have no desire to revisit. I will generously round up.
I persevered through the first two unattractive and unappealing songs to My Children which lifted my ears and reminded me a lot of Joy Division. However, I it's all a bit mumbly and quite similar.