Paracosm
Product ID: 5045404
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US LP pressing. Includes digital download. The music recorded by Ernest Greene as Washed Out has been nothing if not dreamy, and on his second full-length, Paracosm, he takes the dreamlike, otherworldly atmospheres of his music beyond the nocturnal, computer/synth-based sounds of their acclaimed debut, Within and Without. With it's gorgeous execution and uplifting attitude, Paracosm is primed to be this year's summer record. Paracosm was recorded at in Atlanta with Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Gnarls Barkley, Washed Out Within and Without) at Maze Studios. Review: If you didn't like Washed Out's previous efforts... - Then try 'Paracosm' anyway. I wasn't too fond of 'Life of Leisure' or 'Within and Without', especially not the latter, which was basically just good background music - not something I particularly enjoy, but it has its fans. 'Paracosm' on the other hand is delightfully engaging if you want it to be. Very happy, powerful-sounding melodies, with a mix of electronic and acoustic instrumentation, and a more live sound (as others have pointed out). The songs flow together really well, often with background noise added in that sounds like summertime, the beach, people playing outside, birds chirping, etc. While the lyrics here are undiscernable (as usual for Washed Out), they almost demand to be read up on so you can fully embrace the euphoric feeling in the songs. If you take a look at them, they mostly all speak of paradise, running away, running away with another person, floating away, feeling better, or just embracing a happy feeling. They aren't super poetic in content, by any means, but their simple and happy nature actually fits the theme here. The songs are not exactly alike, which is always good. "Don't Give Up" is refreshingly fast-paced (or faster paced) and has the hookiest hook here; "All I Know" and "Falling Back" almost sound too happy to even exist, but without being annoying or distracting; "Great Escape" shifts tempo and feeling only slightly, here and there, making it probably the most dreamy song on the record. "It All Feels Right" is actually the one mediocre song on here, so don't let it sway you from the rest of this otherwise fantastic CD. Out of all the songs, though, the title track "Paracosm" is my favorite - the instrumentation is great, and gives it a lifelike, breathing feeling. It is one of the few songs on here that sounds a little sad. Greene sings to another person, telling them they're safe and "We're all alone now".. just really beautiful stuff. So yes: Highly recommended. If you're buying single songs, grab "Paracosm", "Weightless" (another gem), and "Don't Give Up", but keep in mind the songs sound really great flowing together as a whole! Review: Best Album Yet - Washed Out exists in that chillout/background music category for me. Which I love. They fit the bill well. But this album shows that they are growing up and giving us a lot more than background music. The songs are more thought out, catchy, haunting, and enjoyable than anything I've heard from them before. I find myself at the end of the album and immediately wanting to start over. This latest album is a huge move forward and makes me excited to see what else is to come! If you've never tried them, grab this album, you won't be disappointed.
E**.
If you didn't like Washed Out's previous efforts...
Then try 'Paracosm' anyway. I wasn't too fond of 'Life of Leisure' or 'Within and Without', especially not the latter, which was basically just good background music - not something I particularly enjoy, but it has its fans. 'Paracosm' on the other hand is delightfully engaging if you want it to be. Very happy, powerful-sounding melodies, with a mix of electronic and acoustic instrumentation, and a more live sound (as others have pointed out). The songs flow together really well, often with background noise added in that sounds like summertime, the beach, people playing outside, birds chirping, etc. While the lyrics here are undiscernable (as usual for Washed Out), they almost demand to be read up on so you can fully embrace the euphoric feeling in the songs. If you take a look at them, they mostly all speak of paradise, running away, running away with another person, floating away, feeling better, or just embracing a happy feeling. They aren't super poetic in content, by any means, but their simple and happy nature actually fits the theme here. The songs are not exactly alike, which is always good. "Don't Give Up" is refreshingly fast-paced (or faster paced) and has the hookiest hook here; "All I Know" and "Falling Back" almost sound too happy to even exist, but without being annoying or distracting; "Great Escape" shifts tempo and feeling only slightly, here and there, making it probably the most dreamy song on the record. "It All Feels Right" is actually the one mediocre song on here, so don't let it sway you from the rest of this otherwise fantastic CD. Out of all the songs, though, the title track "Paracosm" is my favorite - the instrumentation is great, and gives it a lifelike, breathing feeling. It is one of the few songs on here that sounds a little sad. Greene sings to another person, telling them they're safe and "We're all alone now".. just really beautiful stuff. So yes: Highly recommended. If you're buying single songs, grab "Paracosm", "Weightless" (another gem), and "Don't Give Up", but keep in mind the songs sound really great flowing together as a whole!
A**B
Best Album Yet
Washed Out exists in that chillout/background music category for me. Which I love. They fit the bill well. But this album shows that they are growing up and giving us a lot more than background music. The songs are more thought out, catchy, haunting, and enjoyable than anything I've heard from them before. I find myself at the end of the album and immediately wanting to start over. This latest album is a huge move forward and makes me excited to see what else is to come! If you've never tried them, grab this album, you won't be disappointed.
V**C
wow.
wow. That is the only word I can use to describe this. I was holding back tears at work when I first listened to this (what a weenie!). To clarify: they were tears because of the beauty of the musical experience, no onions. This is a masterpiece in that not only is it well composed (IMO), well instrumented, well vocalized, etc., it is capable of transporting you to another place (coordinates unknown) and eliciting a feeling of weightlessness, as if the only thing limiting your ability to fly is the ceiling above you (yes, I forgot about gravity for a little bit and it was heavenly). It adds a whole new dimension to the listening experience. Very surreal. I am not too familiar with all of Washed Out's older stuff, I only know Life of Leisure and a few great Pieces on Within and Without, so I cannot comment on his past, but I like his present. Enjoy.
T**S
5 stars
Beautiful pressing.
C**S
Great Album!I
Shoegaze vocals meets orchestration and ambient guitar work, can't go wrong - it is a very positive sounding album and a good changing from the depressing stuff I usually listen to
E**E
Such a good album
Love Love Love this album!
A**R
beautiful album!
beautiful album!!! the quality is excellent and i love listening to every second of it. i love the way this album sounds on vinyl, as all the songs just kinda blend in together like how its meant to be. on mp3 its good on the run, but it takes a moment for my phone to process the next song instead of fading right into the next one like it does on the vinyl. beautiful job!!!!
F**E
Me recuerda el sur de Chile
Esta banda es increíble ,la descubrí hace un tiempo y me gustò mucho su sonido ,marcò un momento que será para siempre
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