The Liverpool group’s 11th album is a conceptual sequel to their sixth, 2001’s A Fine Day to Exit, made when they were still a doomy metal outfit. But The Optimist caps their interim transformation into a cinematic art-rock ensemble, whether building minimal electronic beats into hard-charging anthems (“Leaving It Behind”) or using desolate piano chords to summon a shoegaze tsunami (“Springfield”). This album finds its suitably grand finale in “Back to the Start,” whose comfortably numbing Floydian sway blossoms into orchestral ecstasy.
Tracklisting
- 32.63N 117.14W
- Leaving It Behind
- Endless Ways
- The Optimist
- San Francisco
- Springfield
- Ghosts
- Can’t Let Go
- Close Your Eyes
- Wildfires
- Back To The Start
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Anathema - Springfield (from The Optimist)
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Release Information
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | Vinyl 2× LP Album Limited Edition (Silver, 180gr) |
| Label | Kscope |
| Catalog Number | Kscope944 |
| Notes | Made in Germany. The label catalog number KSCOPE944B - SILVER can be found on the sticker, also the barcode. 2LP Gatefold 180 gram heavyweight vinyl + MP3 download included. Limited to 300 copies |
| Discogs URL | Anathema - The Optimist |