description Wild Beasts - Smother Overview
Smother is the third studio album by the English band Wild Beasts, released in 2011 by Domino Recording Company. Its restrained arrangements combine art rock, electronic textures, detailed percussion, and the contrasting voices of Hayden Thorpe and Tom Fleming. Compared with the band's earlier records, it places greater emphasis on space, atmosphere, and intimate examinations of desire, jealousy, and relationships, making it suited to attentive rather than purely dance-oriented listening.
help Wild Beasts - Smother FAQ
What record label released Wild Beasts' album Smother?
Smother was released on May 9, 2011, through the independent British record label Domino Recording Company. The label is famous for housing other prominent indie acts like Arctic Monkeys and Animal Collective.
Who are the two lead vocalists on Wild Beasts' Smother album?
The album prominently features the contrasting vocal styles of Hayden Thorpe, known for his soaring, theatrical falsetto, and Tom Fleming, who sings with a deep, resonant baritone. This vocal interplay, layered over restrained electronic arrangements, became the band's signature art-rock sound.
What are the main themes explored in the lyrics of Smother?
Lyrically, Smother deals heavily with themes of domesticity, masculinity, and the claustrophobia of long-term romantic relationships. Frontman Hayden Thorpe noted that the writing process was influenced by the band stepping away from touring to experience quiet, everyday domestic life.
Did the album Smother receive a Mercury Prize nomination?
Yes, Smother was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2011, though it ultimately lost out to PJ Harvey's "Let England Shake." The album was highly praised by critics for its intricate percussion and subtle, moody electronic textures.
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