As sculpted shards of guitar tumbling, tolling, squalling shower the jittery bounce of a piano on opener ‘Human’, its obvious that Reason In Decline, Archers of Loafs first album in 24 years, will be more than a nostalgic, low-impact reboot. When they emerged from North Carolinas 90s indie-punk incubator, the Archers hurtling, sly, gloriously dissonant roar was a mythologised touchstone of slacker-era refusal. But this, the distilled shudder of ‘Human’ (as in Its hard to be human / When only death can set you free), is an entirely different noise. In fact, its a startling revelation.
In short, this is not your fathers Archers of Loaf, even if youre a father now who was a fan then. (If thats the case, congrats on surviving the Plague and getting to hear this fearlessly poignant record, you alt-geezer!) Otherwise, thank your youthful fucking lucky stars, kids! Enjoy Reason In Decline with fresh ears and do as the Archers have been doing: Stay humble, stay informed, express yourself creatively, and try not to lose your goddamn mind while the polar ice caps melt. Peace.
Tracklist
- Human
- Saturation And Light
- Screaming Undercover
- Mama Was A War Profiteer
- Aimee
- In The Surface Noise
- Breaking Even
- Misinformation Age
- The Moment You End
- War Is Wide Open