Theatricality is nothing new to the world of indie rock. In the last ten years we've seen everything from the superbly overblown to the hilariously overwrought. Somewhere between those two points is Future Islands.
It's hard to know if the band is entirely serious with their shtick as it seems there's at least a wink of the self-knowing behind the Greek tragedy and barrel-chested wailing. It's one of the only things that helps to keep their music grounded since it seems entirely within the realm of possibility that On the Water could end up like Icarus stubbornly stretching out towards the sun without it. Surprisingly, the band's reach doesn't always exceed its grasp. On a sprightly number like "Balance" Future Islands is able to make a painful breakup downright danceable, and, album highlight, "Tybee Island", finds a slow-burning romanticism in accepting defeat.
On the Water can at times seem a little silly, but it's probably some of the most fun you'll ever find in heartbreak.
21) Tombs - Path of Totality
Loud. That's one way of describing Tombs. Punishing would probably be more apt; on both the ears and your perception of reality. Conjuring an abrasive brew that mixes elements of sludge metal, black metal, and noise rock in one large, black cauldron, the intent seems to be to punish anyone within earshot of the band. Songs like "Vermillion" and "Angel of Destruction" are outwardly hostile creatures while "To Cross the Land" is something more sinister, a lurking dread that slowly climbs up your spine until in one intense moment it consumes you entirely.
20) Washed Out - Within and Without
Chillwave is dead, brah. I guess someone forget to tell Washed Out. Emerging from a scene that spawned few, if any, truly notable artists, Washed Out seemed prime to disappear into scene-transitioning obscurity in the same manner as a Stellastarr or D4 as the musical winds of the indie world shifted in a new direction. Determined to maintain relevancy, Washed Out decided to slide in that new direction rather than stay the course.
While the artist's music always held a vague sense of being emotionally uplifting, or as much as a scene like chillwave could allow, Within and Without found Washed Out moving from the blissful stoner epiphanies of a "Feel It All Around" to the new age spiritualism of "Amor Fati". It's almost like the drugs delivered on their promise, and now your mind is completely open to embrace whatever lies in the beyond.
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