Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:57, 16 April 2018

Revision as of 14:55, 16 April 2018

Line 23:

==Background==

After releasing the minimalistic ''[[Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow]]'' in 2008, [[Hammock (band)|Hammock]] wanted to create an album with "a very full atmosphere"<ref name = synchonation >{{cite web | last = Andujar | first = Carlos | url = http://synconation.com/interviews/trying-to-feel-the-winter%E2%80%A6-a-conversation-with-hammock/ | title = Trying to Feel the Winter... A Conversation with Hammock | work = Synconation | date = 2010-12-10 | accessdate = 2010-12-29 }}</ref>\. "It wasn't like an intentional reaction to ''Maybe'' rather it felt like a natural progression of what we wanted to do at the time", the band commented. "As an artist, that's the voice you have to follow."<ref name = synchonation />

==Music==

The band described ''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' as "[their] most bombastic record so far",.<ref name = apunk /> The band described the albumand as "more organic".<ref name = apunk >{{cite web | last = Alia | first = Lueda | url = http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1877522 | title = Hammock 08.26.10 - Interview | work = AbsolutePunk.net | date = 2010-08-26 | accessdate = 2010-12-29 }}</ref>

Byrd and Thompson were inspired by the landscape of the [[Deep South]], where they both grew up, and from "an understanding of the impermanence of life. When we look at this aspect of the human experience straight in the face we have a greater appreciation of life but at the same time we also experience a deep sense of melancholy."<ref name = apunk /> They cited atmospheric artists such as [[Brian Eno]], [[William Basinski]], [[Stars of the Lid]], [[Cocteau Twins]], [[The Church (band)|ThetThe Church]] and [[Thethe Cure]] as influences, in addition to more cinematic acts, including [[Sigur Rós]], [[Max Richter]], [[Johann Johannsson]] and [[Arvo Pärt]].<ref name = apunk />

===Composition===

Line 34:

==Release and promotion==

''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was released on May 18, 2010 in the US and June 14, 2010 in the UK.<ref name = popmatters /> The band made outtakes from the album available online.<ref name=outtakes>{{cite web |url=http://hammockmusic.com/chasing |title=Hammock Music > Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts and Outtakes (2010) |work=[[Hammock Music]] |accessdate=2011-04-29 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511152853/http://hammockmusic.com/chasing |archivedate=2011-05-11 |df= }}</ref> A limited edition of the album, featuring a photobook and four-track EP titled ''[[North West East South]]'', was also released.<ref name = nesw >{{cite web | url = http://hammockmusic.com/nwes | title = Hammock <nowiki>|</nowiki> Music > North West East South (2010) | work = [[Hammock Music]] | accessdate = 2011-04-29 }}</ref> The album's title described "only seeing the shadow of things and not their reality".<ref name = apunk /> The band stated that the use of ellipsis "both continues and separates a thought."<ref name = apunk />

Hammock collaborator Thomas Petillo created the album's artwork while travellingtraveling through the Deep South with Byrd and Thompson. The figures floating in water were photographed at [[Hot Springs, Arkansas]]. however, Petillo intended the cover to represent rebirth.<ref name = the405 >{{cite web | last = Lopez | first = Samuel Valdes | url = http://thefourohfive.com/articles/3993 | title = Hammock // The 405 Interview | work = The 405 | date = 2010-09-29 | accessdate = 2010-12-29 }}</ref>

This show was rescheduled to September 11, 2010 in Hot Springs. Byrd and Thompson were augmented onstage by Matt Slocum.<ref name = nashvillescene>{{cite web | last = Burleson | first = Ryan | url = http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/with-their-ambient-project-hammock-two-industry-veterans-pull-fresh-breath-from-the-ether/Content?oid=1902314 | title = With their ambient project Hammock, two industry veterans pull fresh breath from the ether | work = Nashville Scene | accessdate = 2011-04-29 }}</ref>

==Reception==

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = ''[[AllmusicAllMusic]]''

| rev1Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chasing-after-shadowsliving-with-the-ghosts-mw0001975364 |title=Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts - Hammock |last=Mason |first=James |work=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

| rev2 = ''[[BBC]]''

Line 48 ⟶ 46:

| rev3 = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''

| rev3Score = {{rating|6|10}}<ref name=drowned>{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/15531/reviews/4140543 |title=Album Review: Hammock - Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts |last=Ferguson |first=Robert |date=July 20, 2010 |work=[[Drowned in Sound]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

| rev4 = ''[[Pitchfork Media(website)|Pitchfork]]''

| rev4Score = (7.3/10)<ref name=pitchfork>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14342-chasing-after-shadows-living-with-the-ghosts/ |title=Hammock: Chasing After Shadows... Living With the Ghosts Album Review |last=Tangari |first=Joe |date=June 16, 2010 |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |accessdate=August 20, 2017}}</ref>

| rev5 = ''[[PopMatters]]''

Line 54 ⟶ 52:

}}

''Chasing After Shadows... Living with the Ghosts'' was met with positive critical reception. Writing for the ''[[BBC]]'', critic Mike Diver ranked it as "one of the most beautiful albums of this year."<ref name=bbc /> James Mason of ''[[AllmusicAllMusic]]'' noted that "Asas objective a concept as perfection is, it is hard to think of what Hammock have achieved here as anything else."<ref name=allmusic /> Ryan Reed of ''[[PopMatters]]'' described the album as "perfect sonic accompaniment for the half-dreams that plague a restless sleep."<ref name=popmatters />

Critics noted that the album featured "a slight move toward more conventional rock structures"<ref name=pitchfork /> and more acoustic textures than their previous releases,<ref name=allmusic /> but that fans of Hammock's previous releases would still enjoy it.<ref name=popmatters /><ref name=pitchfork /> When comparing the album with ''Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow'', Diver criticized the album for feeling "uncomfortably boxed in, its textures equally rich but unable to flow in the manner its makers previously permitted."<ref name=bbc />

Joe Tangari of ''[[Pitchfork Media(website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the music as "intensely visual... you really get the sense of shapes shifting and forms moving."<ref name=pitchfork /> Mason praised the album's songwriting. "The temptation to slip into melodrama with music like Hammock's must be immense, but Byrd and Thompson know when to push over the top and when to pull back, take in the surrounding view, and pour that beauty into their songs," he said. "The exhilarating thing about this record is that they walk this line, between being at the top and going over."<ref name=allmusic /> Ferguson felt the strings were underused on the album, noting that "when they do come to the fore, the arrangements are excellent."<ref name=drowned /> The album's production was praised by Mason.<ref name=allmusic /> Reed said his favorite moments were those where "the surprising details creep in".<ref name=popmatters /> In contrast, Diver described the production as "patchy".<ref name=bbc />

The album's length was noted by reviewers. Mason praised the album for "[working] as an entire piece, not a mere collection of songs."<ref name=allmusic /> Tangari said the album was "easy to luxuriate in for its full run time."<ref name=pitchfork /> Writing for ''[[Drowned In Sound]]'', Robert Ferguson praised the opening three tracks, but felt that "from here is where ''Chasing After Shadows...'' starts to feel a bit samey."<ref name=drowned /> "Halfway through the album... the euphoria starts to wear off," Reed said, "and it becomes difficult not to beg for a fresh chord change or a new instrument."<ref name=popmatters />

==Track listing==