Shriek (album)

Last updated
Shriek
Wye Oak - Shriek album artwork.jpg
Studio album by
Wye Oak
ReleasedApril 29, 2014
StudioRare Book Room, Brooklyn, USA [1]
Genre Indie pop
Length41:34
LanguageEnglish
Label
Producer Nicolas Vernhes
Wye Oak chronology
Civilian
(2011)		Shriek
(2014)		 Tween
(2016)
Singles from Shriek
  1. "The Tower"
    Released: January 30, 2014
  2. "Glory"
    Released: March 18, 2014
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 76/100 [2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The A.V. Club A− [4]
Consequence of Sound C+ [5]
Drowned in Sound 7/10 [6]
The Line of Best Fit 8.5/10 [7]
MusicOMH Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Pitchfork 7.2/10 [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Spin 7/10 [12]

Shriek is the fourth studio album by indie band Wye Oak. It was released on April 29, 2014, by Merge Records in the United States and City Slang in Europe. [1] [13]

Contents

The album peaked at number 67 on the US Billboard 200. [14]

Production

The album was produced by French producer Nicolas Vernhes at the Rare Book Room Studios in Brooklyn. [1]

Release

On January 30, 2014, Wye Oak announced the release of their fourth studio album, along with the single, "The Tower". [15]

Singles

The first single from the album, "The Tower" was released on January 30, 2014. The single has been described as a "pretty melancholy track with Jenn Wasner’s smoky but downtrodden voice and the dark, pulsating synths." [16] In a review of the single, Chad Jewett of Half Cloth explained that it "offers a dub-like mélange of skittering drums and keyboard slabs. A rusted cello creaks in the background, dappling the already slightly ominous minor key burner with rustic gloom." Andy Stack, who has routinely pulled double-duty on drums and keyboard, offers a choppy back-and-fourth[sic] between the two, treating the song’s whorling organ with percussive menace, till it’s almost part of the kit. [17]

The second single "Glory" was released on March 18, 2014. Jamieson Cox from Pitchfork said the single "is nervy, charged music, buzzing like a brain in heat." While explaining Wasner had a "palpable uptick" in her voice and in the stickiness of its rhythmic hook." [18] Kyle McGovern from Spin explained the single has a "high-minded groove that benefits from Wasner’s heavenly vocals and a brief detour into itchy, electronic instrumentation." [19]

Music videos

The official music video for "The Tower" was released on April 3, 2014, and directed by American filmmaker Ben O'Brien. [20] The video features two dancing painters pirouetting through city streets and warehouses. [16]

On April 30, 2014, the music video for "Glory" was released, and directed by Michael Patrick O'Leary and Ashley North Compton. [21] The video has been described as "bizarre", as it features everyday items turning into "creepy pieces of symbolism". [22] Director Ashley North Compton explained the reason behind the "cryptic visuals": "The video explores an internal and external power struggle and a fear of loss of control—through the lens of youth, anxiety, ease, and tension. The narrative follows youth-oriented themes, colors, styles and struggles with jarring and uncomfortable characters and movements." [22]

Critical reception

Shriek was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 76 based on 24 reviews. [2]

Tim Sendra of AllMusic said: "The album is built around swooning banks of synths, bleeping key-based melodies, Stack's choppy drum patterns and programs, and Wasner's bouncy basslines." While also noting, the vocals of Jenn Wasner are her "most powerful and varied yet". [3] Jon Hadusek said their album "feels like a natural progression for Wasner and Stack, with the synths handling the same rhythms and higher register melodies once reserved for the guitars. Shriek is a successful reinvention and hopefully a prelude of things to come as the band embarks on its new life." [5]

Accolades

Accolades for Shriek
PublicationAccoladeRank
MusicOMH MusicOMH's Top 100 Albums of 2014
70 [23]
Stereogum Stereogum's Top 50 Albums of 2014
4 [24]
Stereogum's Top 50 Albums of 2014 – Mid-Year
21 [25]
Under the Radar Under the Radar's Top 140 Albums of 2014
9 [26]

Legacy

On February 20, 2024, the band announced that for the album's tenth anniversary, they would release Shriek: Variations, a collection of five songs from the album – "Before", the title track, "Sick Talk", "The Tower", and "Logic of Color" – reworked by American electroacoustic composer William Brittelle. [27] The band had previously worked with Brittelle on his 2019 album Spiritual America . [27] On the new project, Stack said "It's like looking at the songs in a funhouse mirror. The songs on Shriek can be stripped down or embellished – this is maximal embellishment. William took the album and blew it to smithereens, looking at it in a weird, prismatic way." [27] Shriek: Variations was released on March 22 by Merge Records. [27]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jenn Wasner [28]

Shriek track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Before"4:19
2."Shriek"3:39
3."The Tower"4:06
4."Glory"4:53
5."Sick Talk"4:25
6."Schools of Eyes"4:14
7."Despicable Animal"4:50
8."Paradise"4:21
9."I Know the Law"3:44
10."Logic of Color"2:59
Total length:41:34
iTunes deluxe version
No.TitleLength
11."Glory" (DJ Keith Sweaty remix)5:38
12."Sick Talk" (Matmos remix)4:31
13."Shriek" (DJ Daylight remix)2:32
14."Despicable Animal" (Moss of Aura / Future Islands remix)4:57
15."The Tower" (Drew Swinbourne remix)4:20

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Shriek
Chart (2014)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [14] 67
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [29] 21
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [30] 12
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [31] 17
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard) [32] 13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wye Oak (band)</span> American indie rock band

Wye Oak is an American indie rock duo from Baltimore composed of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner. Their sound has been described as "earnest folk-influenced indie rock with touches of noise and dream pop" as well as indie folk. Wasner sings lead vocals and plays electric or acoustic guitar, while Stack plays both drums and keyboards, playing the drums with his feet and right hand, and the bass line with his left hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Grips</span> American experimental hip-hop group

Death Grips is an American experimental hip hop group formed in 2010 in Sacramento, California. The group consists of producers Zach Hill (drums) and Andy Morin (keyboards), and vocalist Stefan Burnett, also known as MC Ride. Though he is not the group's frontman, Hill has been credited with being the driving creative force behind the project. Drawing from punk rock, electronic, noise, and industrial styles, the band's innovative and often difficult-to-categorize sound has earned critical acclaim and a cult following, while their aggressive performance style and cryptic interactions with their fans and the media have gained widespread notoriety.

<i>Civilian</i> (Wye Oak album) 2011 studio album by Wye Oak

Civilian is the third studio album by indie band Wye Oak. It was released on March 8, 2011, by Merge Records in the United States and City Slang in Europe.

<i>Tramp</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Sharon Van Etten

Tramp is the third album by American singer–songwriter Sharon Van Etten, released on February 7, 2012.

<i>On the Water</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Future Islands

On the Water is the third album by synthpop band Future Islands. The album was released on 11 October 2011 on Thrill Jockey records.

Dungeonesse is an American collaboration between songwriter and producer Jon Ehrens and singer Jenn Wasner out of Baltimore, Maryland. The project was born through their mutual love for Top 40 and R&B and the mechanics behind a hit song. The pair began creating songs long-distance between Los Angeles and wherever Wasner was touring. The group signed to the independent record label Secretly Canadian in 2012, and since have released one single, "Drive You Crazy" b/w "Private Party." Their self-titled debut album was released by Secretly Canadian on May 14, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glory and Gore</span> 2014 single by Lorde

"Glory and Gore" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde from her debut studio album, Pure Heroine (2013). The song was released on 11 March 2014 as the album's fourth and final single by Lava Records and Republic Records. The track was written by Lorde and its producer, Joel Little. "Glory and Gore" is an electropop song influenced by chillwave and hip hop music. It speaks about modern society's fascination with violence and celebrity culture, comparing these to gladiators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ribs (song)</span> 2013 promotional single by Lorde

"Ribs" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde, from her debut studio album Pure Heroine (2013). Universal Music Group (UMG) released it as a promotional single on 30 September 2013. Written and produced by Lorde and Joel Little, "Ribs" is an electronica, indietronica and electropop song discussing Lorde's stress over ageing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenn Wasner</span> American musician

Jennifer Lynn Wasner is an American musician from Baltimore. Wasner is best known as one of the founding members of the band Wye Oak, along with Andy Stack. They have performed on tour with notable bands such as Bon Iver, The National and The Decemberists. Wasner has completed numerous other music projects as well, including a solo project entitled Flock of Dimes, and a collaboration called Dungeonesse with Jon Ehrens of White Life and Art Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Stack (musician)</span> Musical artist

Andrew Brant "Andy" Stack is one of the founding members of the indie-rock duo Wye Oak and a solo artist under the moniker Joyero, as well as a remix artist and a composer and producer for film and commercial music. He has also performed as a member of EL VY, and Lambchop.

<i>Taiga</i> (Zola Jesus album) 2014 studio album by Zola Jesus

Taiga is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus. It was released on October 6, 2014 in the UK and EU and on October 7, 2014 in the US through Mute. The album was produced by Nika Roza Danilova and co-produced by Dean Hurley. It marks the first Zola Jesus record to be released through Mute Records. The album title Taiga is the Russian word for boreal forests. A music video was released for the album's first single "Dangerous Days". The music video was directed by Timothy Saccenti and filmed in Hoh Rainforest, Washington.

<i>Darlings</i> (Kevin Drew album) 2014 studio album by Kevin Drew

Darlings is the second studio album by Broken Social Scene co-founder Kevin Drew. It was released on March 18, 2014 through Arts & Crafts Productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvan Esso</span> American electronic pop duo

Sylvan Esso is an American electronic pop duo from Durham, North Carolina which was formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn. They made their debut with the single "Hey Mami" and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records on May 12, 2014. It reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. They released their second album, What Now, with Loma Vista Recordings on April 28, 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.

<i>If Children</i> 2007 studio album by Wye Oak

If Children is the debut studio album by Baltimore-based band Wye Oak. The album was originally released in 2007, but was re-released on April 8, 2008 by Merge Records.

<i>Tween</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Wye Oak

Tween is the fifth studio album by indie band Wye Oak. It was released digitally on June 9, 2016 by Merge Records in the United States. The physical album was officially released on August 5, 2016.

<i>If You See Me, Say Yes</i> 2016 studio album by Flock of Dimes

If You See Me, Say Yes is the debut album by the Baltimore-based artist, Flock of Dimes, also known as Jenn Wasner of the indie band Wye Oak. The album was released on September 15, 2016 by Partisan Records.

<i>The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs</i> 2018 studio album by Wye Oak

The Louder I Call, the Faster It Runs is the sixth studio album by indie band Wye Oak. It was released digitally on April 6, 2018 by Merge Records in the United States.

<i>The Knot</i> (album) 2009 album from Wye Oak

The Knot is the second studio album by indie band Wye Oak. It was released by Merge Records in the US on July 21, 2009.

"The Adults Are Talking" is a song by American rock band The Strokes, the opening track on their sixth studio album, The New Abnormal (2020). It was released to alternative radio as the album's fourth single on November 3, 2020. It was produced by Rick Rubin with music written by all members of the Strokes and lyrics written by the band's singer, Julian Casablancas. It is a new wave, indie rock and post-punk song with politically charged lyrics that Casablancas sings with both crooning vocals and falsetto throughout.

<i>Ultraísta</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Ultraísta

Ultraísta is the eponymous debut studio album by British experimental rock band Ultraísta. It was released 2 October 2012 by Temporary Residence Limited.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pelly, Jenn (January 29, 2014). "Wye Oak Announce New Album, Shriek, Share "The Tower"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Shriek by Wye Oak". Metacritic . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Sendra, Tim. "Shriek review". AllMusic . Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  4. ↑ Adams, Erik (29 April 2014). "Wye Oak strikes a dreamy reinvention with Shriek". The A.V. Club . Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Hadusek, Jon (April 25, 2014). "Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  6. ↑ Maine, Sammy (April 25, 2014). "Drowned in Sound Review". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ Day, Laurence (April 22, 2014). "The Line of Best Fit Review". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Steven (April 25, 2014). "MusicOMH Review". MusicOMH . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ Daly, Rhian (April 25, 2014). "NME Review". NME . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  10. ↑ Brown, Harley (April 28, 2014). "Shriek review". Pitchfork . Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  11. ↑ Dolan, Jon (April 29, 2014). "Rolling Stone Review". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ Ayers, Mike. "Wye Oak Shriek review". Spin . Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Wye Oak – Shriek". Merge Records. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  14. 1 2 "Wye Oak Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ Roffman, Michael (January 30, 2014). "Wye Oak announces new album, Shriek, listen to "The Tower"". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Terry, Josh (April 3, 2014). "Wye Oak's new video for "The Tower"". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ Jewett, Chad (January 31, 2014). "Wye Oak – The Tower". Half Cloth. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  18. ↑ Cox, Jamieson (March 18, 2014). "Glory by Wye Oak". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ McGovern, Kyle (March 17, 2014). "Hear Wye Oak's Brainy, Buzzing New Single 'Glory'". Spin . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Wye Oak – The Tower (Official Music Video)". April 3, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2020– via YouTube.
  21. ↑ "Wye Oak – Glory". YouTube. April 30, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  22. 1 2 Geslani, Michelle (May 1, 2014). "Wye Oak's super weird new video for "Glory"". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  23. ↑ Hubbard, Michael (December 6, 2014). "MusicOMH's Top 100 Albums of 2014". MusicOMH . Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  24. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2014". Stereogum . December 2, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  25. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2014". Stereogum . June 14, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Under the Radar's Top 140 of 2014". Under the Radar . December 12, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Rettig, James (February 20, 2024). "Wye Oak Announce Shriek Reimaginings with Composer William Brittelle". Stereogum . Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  28. ↑ "First Listen: Wye Oak, 'Shriek'". NPR.org.
  29. ↑ "Wye Oak Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Wye Oak Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Wye Oak Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Wye Oak Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.