So I’ve been living with Real Estate’s Atlas for roughly 2 weeks now… let me clarify the statement of “living with” an album.
When I “live with” an album, the record sorta graduates to becoming part of my daily “playlist”. I’ll listen to it while I prepare and eat my morning oatmeal. I’ll listen to it while I drive… I’ll listen to it while I’m at work and I’ll listen to it when I’m at home. I’m fascinated by how some records can influence your mood or experience doing something.
Here’s what I know about Real Estate’s Atlas. It’s a pleasant record. You can pretty much do all the things I described above, whilst listening to Atlas. It’s become a go-to-record when I want to have something on and not get distracted from a task at hand.
I don’t mean any slight in that remark… its just that I don’t happen to know the expressed narrative of the Atlas. I almost liken it to an American Analog Set album I purchased in my early 20’s… albums rather, that I purchased after reading numerous glowing reviews. I just don’t happen to sift through my stack of CD’s and revisit those albums with any frequency.
Atlas is a beautiful record. It’s one of the cleanest recordings I’ve heard in recent memory and most of all, its been meticulously tracked and balanced. I never feel an urge to listen to a specific side of the album… weighing in at only 38 minutes, you’re truly cheating yourself if you don’t listen to it from beginning to end.
I’m at a complete loss in exactly what I want to soundtrack Atlas to right now. I know I don’t want to have it on while making out with someone. I also know that I don’t mind having it on while reading magazines, comics, and books.
I would however be curious to hear what you find yourself doing while listening to this record?
Stand out tracks:
“Talking Backwards”
“The Bend”
“How Might I Live”
Rating: 3.5/5
http://www.realestatetheband.com/
Rollie writes even more great stuff at September 29th.