Gossamer

I picked up a used copy of Passion Pit's first CD "Manners" on a whim -- the rainbow-ribbon cover looked intriguing, thought I'd give it a shot. Loved just about everything about it, including (if not especially) the two surprisingly chill acoustic renditions. Also hugely enjoy "Little Secrets." Only down side to "Manners" was singer's falsetto could be a little thin & grating on the aural nerves at times. In any case, I've been eagerly awaiting "Gossamer" for a long time, knew it would be amped up based on hearing "Take a Walk" on local radio. Man, I thought "Manners" was thick & heavy in the synth department, but "Gossamer" often goes for all-out wall of electronica, rivaling M83 for "most heavily layered multi-mega-tracked synth bomb" or something like that. Been listening regularly for a couple months now, wavered back & forth between 4 & 5 stars. 4 stars would be attributable to catchy but vacuous pop tracks like "Carried Away" and "Hideaway" -- a little too reminiscent of Lightning Seeds, maybe played at 45 RPM when it should be 33. Also could have used a few stripped-down acoustic versions such as grace "Manners," but alas, "Gossamer" is a bit too dedicated to being LOUD and UP. But I had to go 5 stars based primarily on the lyrical & musical triumph "Take a Walk," the goofy/groovy retro-70s grind and catchy chorus of "Cry Like a Ghost," and the undeniable strength of the last 3 tracks, which rival any back-to-back-to-back triple shot you'll ever hear on any synth album ever. "Love is Greed" is so happy & boppy & joyously backgrounded with female choral vocals that you'll almost miss the surprisingly melancholy lyrics. "Where We Belong" is the perfect coda to an album that is a most curious fusion of lyrical ambivalence and musical transcendence. "It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy" is the closest thing I've got to a personal anthem right now. Can't get enough of the shimmering keyboard washes and driving bass. The singer (mostly) checks his falsetto at the door and is content to whisper-vocalize, except for the bridge, which he seems to cede to the background ladies, and the rousing chorus, where he harmonizes with them. Musical brilliance, well done! It's not fair, it's not fair -- still I'm the only one who seems to care...

Michael Angelakos is a fascinating individual. Shortly after I purchased this album, I heard an interview with him on Sound Opinions, and I was kind of blown away with his honesty. Jim and Greg talk to him *at length* about his bipolar disorder and how his mental health issues had dominated his life in recent years. One of the things that's easy to overlook about this album (and Passion Pit in general) is the striking contrast between the sound and the lyrics: the tempo is upbeat, the sound is chipper, the hooks massive - but underneath it all, the lyrics are stark and deeply depressing at times. Passion Pit music feels like an embodiment of Angelakos's own self-described experiences, with echoes of lyrical despair thinly veiled behind a layer of exuberant sound. Let's back up: "Gossamer" is "pop," with a huge dose of electronics thrown in for good measure. This describes a lot of music these days, but even discarding the lyrics, Angelakos injects layers of sound that elevate Passion Pit beyond the standard fare you're likely to hear on Clearchannel. The sound: huge! The hooks: killer! But, as Angelakos says, Passion Pit songs take the "long way" to get there, and the payoff is all the greater for it. Bottom line: Passion Pit is simply incredible. And this album is simply incredible. Buy it.

I purchased the MP3 of this album several months ago, after Passion Pit (via their Facebook page) let their fans know it was available at a very low price for a day...I'm so glad I purchased it! I was immediately struck by the heavy layering of sounds, voices and effects, as well as the plentiful and introspective lyrics. In fact, my first thought was, 'wow, this guy sure does have a lot to say!'. The more I listened, the more this album grew on me, and I think it has enough of a variety to keep all of the songs from sounding too similar. Their sound is very unique and I can pick out a Passion Pit song from anywhere, lol. Great album!!

I knew from the first 20 seconds on this album that it was going to be amazing. "Take a Walk" is my current obsession, I just can't stop listening to it. That being said, the the album does not disappoint from there. We all knew this was a talented band, but my goodness! I can't remember the last time I was able to listen to an artists' entire album and really enjoy every single song. You get that feeling at the end of every song like you're sorry that it's ending, but then the next song starts and it's so good you move on and just keep enjoying the music. I personally don't listen to lyrics very often for a reason I haven't cared enough to understand, but I can say that this is a musically beautiful album.

I found out about Passion Pit through listening to a ubiquitous internet radio app that I shall not now buzz market. "Little Secrets" from 2009's Manners plays on a regular, and I just loved it and found myself always dancing along. Gossamer has beginning to end synthpop heavenly beats that could make even the most stoic of people (me) start jumping all around. Track no. 3, "Carried Away", has to currently be my favorite tune. I'll play it on repeat at least three times before moving on to the rest of this spectacular album. Thank you, Passion Pit, for making music that marries '80s dance with contemporary adult alternative.

I listened to some of the samples and wasn't too impressed, but I took a shot and bought Gossamer anyway. It is amazing. Every song is emotionally powerful and catchy. Some people try to compare this album to Passion Pit's older albums but no comparison is needed. Although framed with slightly "busier" music, Angelakos's voice perfectly conveys the energy of the lyrics and music.

Passions Pit's best record, and on cream white vinyl is beautiful.

Gossamer es sin duda uno de los grandes discos de pop de 2012. Temazos como "Take a Walk", "Carried Away" o "Hideaway" son solo ejemplos de un discazo de pop contagioso y efervescente, que alterna estructuras más electrónicas con otras más clásicas, incluso con el R&B, pero que no oculta a su vez cierto poso de amargura. Ni un minuto de desperdicio.

全米チャート初登場４位を記録したフルレングス２作目は、圧倒的な完成度を誇る傑作アルバムとなった。 カラフルにきらめく音の洪水が奔流となって溢れだし、我々リスナーの心と身体を押し流していく。・・・ 重厚に築き上げられた音の壁。ドリーミー＆トリッピーなサウンドスケープ。そして、心躍りときめかせる極上のポップネス。・・・ この音楽が鳴っている間は、全てを忘れ、至高の陶酔感が全身を駆け巡る。・・・ これはまさしくそんな感じの作品だ。 エレポップ、シンセポップとは言っても、今巷に溢れる下世話な流行音楽、陳腐なダンスポップでは、絶対にない。 これは、もっとストイックに音楽の持つアートな部分を追求した作品であるように、僕には感じられた。 エレクトロニカ／ポストロック色の強いアルバムであると思う。 例えば、Foster The Peaple『Torches』よりも、Animal Collective『Merriweather Post Pavilion』により近い音像、といったところか。 とにかく、ここまでポップ＆キャッチーな音楽が、これ程までの高い音楽的先進性を纏わされるというのは、そうはないんじゃないだろうか。 ・・・今夏を代表する傑作アルバムであり、そしてまた、２０１２年の最優秀作品の上位に確実に食い込んでくるであろう秀逸作である。

Passion Pit ist eine der interessantesten Erscheinungen auf dem internationalen Musik-Parkett der letzten Jahre. Besonders die poetisch-emotionalen Texte reißen einen in schönster Weise aus dem Alltag. "Gossamer" ist mein persönlicher Liebling. Wer sich diese CD kauft, braucht lange keine weitere. Geheimtipp!

Me encanto, solo que si les falta empacar de otra manera los discos, porque se rompió la caja, los papeles estan bien, pero es un poco desagradable buscar un repuesto para la caja de un disco