A MOON SHAPED POOL

Man is this one a grower. I went from not liking it after the first listen and mumbling to myself "this is generic crap", to feeling like a light went on after 3 listens, to being totally won over after 5 spins. I'm one of the few who loved the previous album "King Of Limbs" and was hoping for more of the same, so there's that. This album is full of depth and atmosphere with plenty of electronics, piano and strings.

"Burn The Witch" has this urgent rhythm of drums and strings as the vocals join in. The strings become more prominent before 2 minutes then fade back again. This sounds pretty cool and intense. "Daydreaming" is a top three tune for me. Man is this a sad and emotional track with piano and atmosphere early on before these quivering vocals arrive before 1 1/2 minutes. Check out the thick atmosphere after 4 minutes.

"Decks Dark" has a beat with some fast paced piano melodies as the vocals join in. It's fuller before 1 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop but they return quickly with more energy than before. So much atmosphere here. It settles after 2 1/2 minutes and this sounds really good. Love the bass. "Desert Island Disk" is led by acoustic guitar and a beat with reserved vocals. One of the songs I just couldn't get into. "Ful Stop" is my favourite song and it's because of that intensity and dark mood. The electronics and beat builds along with eerie sounds that come and go. This is head bobbing music and it's also quite spacey. Vocals before 2 minutes and they will come and go. Great track!

"Glass Eyes" features piano, strings and atmosphere as the reserved vocals join in almost speaking the words. "Identikit" is catchy with distant sounding vocals. I like this. Check out the guitar before 4 minutes! "The Numbers" is my final top three. Strummed guitar, piano, drums and more as the vocals join in. Nice bass before 3 minutes along with those soaring vocals. Check out the strings after 3 1/2 minutes. I love this stuff! We get a release of tension late to end it.

"Present Tense" reminds me of RADIOHEAD of old and the backing vocals later on add a lot in my opinion. "Tinker Tailor Soldier..." is relaxed with vocals, strings, atmosphere and a beat standing out. Sweeping strings around 3 minutes as Thom stops singing. This continues to the end and I like the electronics late. "True Love Waits" is one heck of a ballad I'll say that. A sad and simple piece with melancholic vocals, piano and strings standing out. This is so sad yet so meaningful.

I was reminded of the seventies several times when listening to this album and not necessarily Prog from the seventies either, but those moments really add a lot to my enjoyment. It's grown to an easy 4 stars and if it continues to grow I'll be back to adjust my rating. I'm really impressed.