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alt-J — Chicago
Album: The Dream
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1172









Released: 2022
Length: 3:48
Plays (last 30 days): 7
More together than alone
From the hill we saw it rain on the town over
Torch to your chin lights your cheekbones
In that moment I saw a likeness to our father

In American Night on that hill
In the night

Pulled back to the night before
Where the TV lit our brilliant smiling faces
Torch hits your face before the fall
Panic in the eye is similar to breaking horses

(An apparition lifts me up)

An apparition lifts me up
From its shoulders I sit and see your face above the tree-line
Your reassurances subtitled in American English
I am calm as we sail down the hillside

In American Night on that hill
In the night
Comments (31)add comment
I like listening to songs in the dark sometimes, sitting with eyes closed, just experiencing the music. This is one of my favorite songs for that purpose. The images I get from it - its lyrics and its stark dark sounds - are very powerful. 

(stylised as alt-J, real name Δ)


That has always annoyed me. Like if you want to name your band Delta, or "triangle symbol", go ahead and name it Delta or whatever. Or if the name is Alt-J then why pretend it's the symbol?
Whiny, slithery, weak. 
 pyrateparadox988 wrote:

I use open ear headphones so much lately, and ALT-J just gets better and better in this medium, no matter what mood I'm in or what I'm doing... (Cleaning, Mountain Biking, PaddleBoarding...) I freakin LOVE this band, and I can't fully explain why. Another great track.




GREAT way to listen to it in FLAC!  Good  "open back  headphones" are the BEST sounding headphones!   Especially when paired w/ a good amp & DAC!  
I think the prologue is my favorite part of the song.  Just love what it adds and how it works with the entire song.  Fantastic track.
I use open ear headphones so much lately, and ALT-J just gets better and better in this medium, no matter what mood I'm in or what I'm doing... (Cleaning, Mountain Biking, PaddleBoarding...) I freakin LOVE this band, and I can't fully explain why. Another great track.
 lizardking wrote:

Agreed!  In fact this might be my 2nd hearing of this one, first full time through, and I had to go +2 to 8.  I love the buildup, the pounding bass, the decidedly homemade sounding production, and the fully enjoyable flow of this one.  

This track also hits exactly the frequency my new sub is tuned to in this small home-office (aka WFH daytime prison) which is formerly my 8 year old daughter's 'Hannah Montana' themed bedroom; I'm rattling stuff in here that's never rattled before!

And to top it off, Mr. BillG's segue mastery shines brightly when he plays Goldfrapp's "Utopia" as a follow-up; absolutely spectacular mix-master in action!  (and that might be a subtle hint BillG; Mix Master Mike/Beastie Boys on RP one day? "Sabotage" easily can find a spot in the main mix me thinks. 

Long Live Radio Paradise and the excellent eclectic mix!!


I think we could handle a little Beastie Boys in the mix! 
alt-J is TERRIBLE.
 kcar wrote:


Only true if you're doing a ten-year bid in a supermax. 



That's some funny shit!
 snowcone wrote:

There just aren't enough songs about Windows 95...



Only true if you're doing a ten-year bid in a supermax. 
 timmus wrote:
 

OK, where is this "hill" in Chicago. That's one of the flattest cities in the US.


You made me Google it.  

41° 43' 18'' N, 87° 40' 51'' W
It's a lament about Windows Vista.
There just aren't enough songs about Windows 95...
I am calm as we sail down the hillside
 

OK, where is this "hill" in Chicago. That's one of the flattest cities in the US.
Great band
Good new music
If you think they’re an electronic group, check out their Tiny Desk Concert from a few years ago.
Strong musicians and beautiful oddballs.
Perfect for RP.
Ammirite?
I dug into this album fully recently, it really is excellent overall! Impressive - 3 albums in and all are great; these days that's kind of impressive.
I think ive had an overload.  Some other people still love it.
Nice, sounds great!
 timmus wrote:

Not sure what I think about this song.  The main problem is a lot of it is hard to hear, so it kind of fades away into the background.  It needs some compression.



There was a problem with the source file on this one. Fixed now.
Not sure what I think about this song.  The main problem is a lot of it is hard to hear, so it kind of fades away into the background.  It needs some compression.
 jrwoytek wrote:

Been a contributor to RP for years now - but first chance to be on ground floor of rating and commenting a new offering (fewer than 100 ratings).  alt-J is such a distinct sound and love to hear the new music.  Solid 8.  Continue to love the eclectic mix that makes RP such an enjoyable daily listen.


Agreed!  In fact this might be my 2nd hearing of this one, first full time through, and I had to go +2 to 8.  I love the buildup, the pounding bass, the decidedly homemade sounding production, and the fully enjoyable flow of this one.  

This track also hits exactly the frequency my new sub is tuned to in this small home-office (aka WFH daytime prison) which is formerly my 8 year old daughter's 'Hannah Montana' themed bedroom; I'm rattling stuff in here that's never rattled before!

And to top it off, Mr. BillG's segue mastery shines brightly when he plays Goldfrapp's "Utopia" as a follow-up; absolutely spectacular mix-master in action!  (and that might be a subtle hint BillG; Mix Master Mike/Beastie Boys on RP one day? "Sabotage" easily can find a spot in the main mix me thinks. 

Long Live Radio Paradise and the excellent eclectic mix!!
Been a contributor to RP for years now - but first chance to be on ground floor of rating and commenting a new offering (fewer than 100 ratings).  alt-J is such a distinct sound and love to hear the new music.  Solid 8.  Continue to love the eclectic mix that makes RP such an enjoyable daily listen.
Had to stop and put on headphones.  Very nice.  
*when you realise that Alt-J even became better*

This is fucking awesome! 

Thanks for the new stuff
Didn't like at first, but I think it is growing on me. Certainly interesting.
 rhlrstn wrote:

Kind of neat to be one of the first to hear a new song on RP, but unfortunately a lot of this song gets lost in the white noise of my office HVAC system. No fault of the band, I suppose. 


Why don't you wear noise-cancelling headphones?  I'm assuming you're not inflicting* RP on the rest of the office?

* I'm a huge fan of RP, but I'm absolutely NOT a fan of forcing other people to listen to one's personal music choices.
 the_jake wrote:

New and First comment from Chicago

Not much of an alt-J fan.  This is no exception.  Not my cup of tea.




Wonder why such a neutral comment (in terms of  not saying something negative about the artist) gets two thumbs down after 20 hours. Isn't it okay to *not* like some kind of music - or artist - and express that?
Just wondering...  But then again maybe thumbs down just means "I disagree with your opinion" which is just fine. Guess, I'm interpreting too much...
I recognized Alt-J, but it took a moment to realize it was new. I like it and expect it will grow on me like the other songs. Yay, new music!
Kind of neat to be one of the first to hear a new song on RP, but unfortunately a lot of this song gets lost in the white noise of my office HVAC system. No fault of the band, I suppose. 
Fantastic! 

8

New and First comment from Chicago

Not much of an alt-J fan.  This is no exception.  Not my cup of tea.