Atlas
Certain art forms are deceptively simple: calligraphy, still-life painting, dream pop. In the case of the last, details like the shimmer of a ride cymbal or the exact tone of a clean guitar can make all the difference. To listen to *Atlas*, the exquisitely produced third album from New Jersey\'s Real Estate, is to hear a quartet of master practitioners of the dream pop craft. Casually sanguine yet precisely composed, the album is moody but not mournful, peppy but not cloying. In the grand tradition of bands like Luna, Heavenly, and The Sundays, the songs here rarely feature more than a few chords, a few parts, or a few lyrical ideas (the suburbs, fatherhood)—yet everything fits together perfectly. Matt Mondanile\'s lead guitar is playful but not ostentatious, expertly complementing Martin Courtney\'s plainspoken vocals, his languid phrasings soaring above the gentle din. Snare drums sizzle and pop, basslines pogo gracefully, the mood is wistful and breezy. The cascading guitar riff of \"Talking Backwards\" will have you dreaming of The Smiths, while the cowpunk swing of \"Horizon\" shows off just how many tricks Real Estate have up their sleeve.
On Real Estate's rich, sad third album, Atlas, the once-ideal pool party band has turned to soundtracking the cleanup: Everyone's gone, the sky's threatening rain, there are cigarette butts floating in the pool, and we've all gotta work tomorrow. The result is at once their most forlorn record and their most beautiful.
On Real Estate’s previous albums—an endearingly woolly self-titled debut; the excellent, vibrant follow-up Days—the balance between offhand and methodical was delicately maintained. Atlas, the New Jersey band’s newest effort, too often tips to the “offhand” side of the scale. Despite some strong material, the album is…
‘Atlas’ doesn’t stray too far from the old template but everything’s better – melodies, production, focus – as Real Estate pinpoint what got them here and identify where they want to go next.
The New Jersey outfit master their brand of intricate guitar pop on a superb third LP
In our current Ableton-fueled epoch, Real Estate’s unassuming commitment to craft seems almost deliriously uncool.
Jersey-bred indie rock golden boys Real Estate arrived in the late 2000s with a subdued approach to guitar rock that stripped away all unnecessary clutter and presented their tuneful songs in a manner as attractive and steadfast as primary colors, spring days, comfort food, or any of life's basic staples.
Last album Days seemed to unexpectedly catapult Ridgewood, New Jersey natives Real Estate to the top table of American indie. Atlas largely follows a similar path, regenerating mellow Big Star jangling and harmonies, and sure, it’s cute enough, but it’s not much of a thrill ride.
For a record called Atlas, the third LP from Real Estate has an oddly ambivalent relationship with space and time.
If only the easy listening genre wasn't already dedicated to orchestras and big bands and voices made famous decades ago. If only it was accepting new albums into its category. Because Atlas would absolutely define it.
Album review: Clash rates the new album from Real Estate, 'Atlas', released March 3rd on Domino, featuring the single 'Talking Backwards'
<p>The third album from the New Jersey five-piece is a winner, writes <strong>Paul Mardles</strong></p>
Review of "Atlas" by Real Estate. The LP comes out 3/4 on Domino. The first single from Atlas is "Talking Backwards". The band plays 2/27 in New York City.
New Jersey's Real Estate deliver another beautiful album that balances summery lightness with melancholy and anxiety, writes <strong>Harriet Gibsone</strong>
Greetings from Bergen County, New Jersey… A ravishing third album from jangling romantics...