Ways of Meaning

Ways of Meaning
Studio album by Kyle Bobby Dunn
Released	May 23, 2011 (2011-05-23)
Recorded	2010
Genre	Ambient, Drone
Length	39:05
Label	Desire Path Recordings
Producer	Kyle Bobby Dunn, James Plotkin, James Hicken
Kyle Bobby Dunn chronology
A Young Person's Guide to Kyle Bobby Dunn (2010) Ways of Meaning (2011) Bring Me the Head of Kyle Bobby Dunn (2012)

Ways of Meaning is a studio album by Canadian composer Kyle Bobby Dunn. It was released on May 23, 2011, through Desire Path Recordings on vinyl, digital download, and in a limited art edition. ^[1]

Background

Unlike Dunn’s earlier double album A Young Person's Guide to Kyle Bobby Dunn , this release features shorter pieces, most under ten minutes in length. The compositions were primarily created with guitar, laptop, and organ, alongside subtle use of strings, choir, horns, and sampled textures. ^[2]

Reception

Ways of Meaning was met with favorable reviews from music critics.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
PopMatters	[1]
AllMusic	[3]
Beats Per Minute	79% [4]
Consequence	3.9/5 [5]
Pitchfork	7.1/10 [2]

• Pitchfork described the record as “gentle, enveloping ambient music” and rated it 7.1 out of 10. ^[2]
• Consequence of Sound called it “haunting and meditative,” giving it a 3.9/5 score. ^[5]
• PopMatters awarded it 8/10, noting its “austere yet powerful quality.” ^[1]
• Beats Per Minute gave the album a 79%, citing “Canyon Meadows” and “Movement for the Completely Fucked” as highlights. ^[4]
• AllMusic rated it 3.5/5, with reviewer Ned Raggett praising its mix of “bass-heavy rumble and gossamer glaze.” ^[3]

NPR featured the track Movement for the Completely Fucked on All Songs Considered, stating that "The 15-minute piece glacially increases in volume without leaning on a climax, as most drone musicians are wont to do, instead choosing to brood with shimmering brilliance." ^[6]

Track listing

Side A

1. "Dropping Sandwiches (In Chester Lake)" – 3:54
2. "Statuit" – 5:32
3. "Canyon Meadows" – 7:03
4. "New Pures" – 4:06

Side B

1. "Movement for the Completely Fucked" – 14:52
2. "Touhy's Theme" – 5:03

References

1. "Kyle Bobby Dunn: Ways of Meaning". PopMatters. June 10, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
2. Richardson, Mark (June 6, 2011). "Kyle Bobby Dunn: Ways of Meaning". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
3. Raggett, Ned. "Ways of Meaning – Kyle Bobby Dunn". AllMusic. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
4. "Album Review: Kyle Bobby Dunn – Ways of Meaning". Beats Per Minute. June 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
5. "Album Review: Kyle Bobby Dunn – Ways of Meaning". Consequence. June 23, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
6. Gotrich, Lars (April 15, 2011). "Kyle Bobby Dunn: Quiet, Provocative Reflection". NPR. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2025.