I'm seeing people discuss this as electronic music. First and foremost, I'd like to point out that while electronic elements are certainly in use here, most of the sound comes from more classical instruments, from clarinets to trumpets to loads of strings, even a children's choir. Part of the allure for me was trying to place those sounds within the recording, which sounds I'm seeing people discuss this as electronic music. First and foremost, I'd like to point out that while electronic elements are certainly in use here, most of the sound comes from more classical instruments, from clarinets to trumpets to loads of strings, even a children's choir. Part of the allure for me was trying to place those sounds within the recording, which sounds so cold at first that, yes, it could turn people off (and obviously does). But it's called me back more than most other albums that have come out in the past decade, still retaining the air of mystery while my expectations for the melodic changes become more and more filled with excitement. This would be just a bit below 10 for me.

It doesn't surprise me that people are not too pleased with this. But it works in a different way than most music does.

Re: is this music? Good question. It's closer to pure sound, and all it suggests seems to matter a lot more than what it explicitly states - it certainly doesn't say a lot. The emotional map for this would probably This would be just a bit below 10 for me. It doesn't surprise me that people are not too pleased with this. But it works in a different way than most music does. Re: is this music?

Good question. It's closer to pure sound, and all it suggests seems to matter a lot more than what it explicitly states - it certainly doesn't say a lot. The emotional map for this would probably be completely polarized: either you embrace the warmth or feel just bored. Sure, it's easier to fall asleep to this (and to treat hangover too, it works).

Krank100 Stars of the Lid-And Their Refinement of the Decline 3LP. And in what will surely be a rare sighting on these shores, Felix will be opening for Yann.

So eventually this is really up to the listener because it's most of the time completely abstract (A few expections would be 'Humectez La Mouture' which is just jubilant by the album's standards and the melancholy 'Tippy's Demise') It really doesn't give you an emotion to deal with in most tunes. It even evades attachment for some and leaves them yawning. But isn't consciousness a boring state anyway? This album is exceedingly average, even for its nature as a 2-hour drone piece. It's beautiful, it's peaceful, it's warm, yes; however, it is not special enough to warrant the perfect ratings it is receiving. Also, it has been done before; look at Fripp & Eno's 1973 album No P.ssyfooting. The Stars of the Lid album serves a purpose, but it simply is not exceptional This album is exceedingly average, even for its nature as a 2-hour drone piece.

It's beautiful, it's peaceful, it's warm, yes; however, it is not special enough to warrant the perfect ratings it is receiving. Also, it has been done before; look at Fripp & Eno's 1973 album No P.ssyfooting.

The Stars of the Lid album serves a purpose, but it simply is not exceptional enough to warrant an album-of-the-year award or any such level of acclaim. It is not exceptional enough to lift it that far above any other drone album of its type. Stars of the Lid still hold a neat position between refined, tasteful ambient and classical instrumentation and composition; and on this record they seem to be leaning further over to the latter. With this in mind I hope this is yet another step in a sound that has been slowly evolving for a decade. There's some soul-crushingly beautiful music on this disc but they could do with Stars of the Lid still hold a neat position between refined, tasteful ambient and classical instrumentation and composition; and on this record they seem to be leaning further over to the latter. With this in mind I hope this is yet another step in a sound that has been slowly evolving for a decade.

There's some soul-crushingly beautiful music on this disc but they could do with cutting it down a bit on to one CD - it doesn't manage to get away with it like Tired Sounds did because it's not so 'continuous' and dreamy as that release. This is possibly the most beautiful music I have heard this year. This album is a subtle, yet powerful hybrid between modern classical and ambient music. Granted, this type of music is not for everyone, especially since people these days are always looking for instant gratification (i.e. MTV/ radio), and never seem to have enough to time to slow down and enjoy the latent complexities in This is possibly the most beautiful music I have heard this year. This album is a subtle, yet powerful hybrid between modern classical and ambient music.