Artist: Archive Album: Controlling Crowds

Year: 2009
Duration: 1:18:10

A of Controlling Crowds by Archive: An Album Worth a Listen

Archive is one of those bands that have managed to capture a unique sound and style in all their music. With a history that spans over two decades, they have created a significant following worldwide. Meet Controlling Crowds, a nine-year-old album of the band that many argue is their best work to date. In this blog, we will delve deep and critically review the album, including the best songs, most innovative parts, and why it's worth adding to your music playlist.

A Brief History of Archive:

Archive was founded in 1994 in London, England. The collective band of 11 members consists of musicians from different walks of life, resulting in a unique sound that blends electronic rock, trip-hop, and progressive rock. Over the years, they have released 12 studio albums, two compilation albums, and associated singles that have gained critical acclaim. Among these works, Controlling Crowds is considered by many as their masterpiece.

The Music Genre of Controlling Crowds:

Controlling Crowds is a fusion of electronic rock and trip-hop, creating a dark and cinematic atmosphere. The album has four parts, featuring a total of 28 tracks, with different themes and moods. The instrumentals create an emotional buildup, with cryptic lyrics that blend in to create a surreal experience that embodies the mood of the album.

Best Songs of the Album:

Fans have different opinions on the best songs in the album, but few tracks stand out, such as Bullets, Words on Signs, Collapse/Collide, and Funeral. The opening track, Controlling Crowds, sets the tone for the album, with instrumental that slowly builds into the first verse, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. Bullets, the second track, has an excellent mix of trip-hop and rock, with a catchy chorus that's memorable.

The Most Innovative Parts of the Album:

Archive's strength lies in their ability to mix several genres and create a cohesive sound. The combination of high-energy trip-hop with rock instrumentals creates a sound unique to Controlling Crowds. The album's instrumental parts, such as the bass line in Collapse/Collide and the electronic beat in Pulse, showcase the band's creativity in instrumentals.

A Critic to the Album:

Despite the album's greatness, some critics argue that the album's length can be overwhelming, with 28 tracks in total. While each track has its unique sound, the long duration of the album may make it tiresome to go through to new listeners. Additionally, the lyrics, while cryptic, may leave listeners confused on the track's meaning.
Despite the album's greatness, some critics argue that the album's length can be overwhelming, with 28 tracks in total. While each track has its unique sound, the long duration of the album may make it tiresome to go through to new listeners. Additionally, the lyrics, while cryptic, may leave listeners confused on the track's meaning.
Controlling Crowds is an album worth a listen; it embodies a unique blend and sound that Archive has crafted over the years. The album's combination of trip-hop and rock creates an emotional atmosphere, a surreal experience that few artists can replicate. Whether you're a fan of Archive or a lover of electronic rock and trip-hop, Controlling Crowds will not disappoint you. While it may be long, the album's excellence shines bright, with exceptional instrumentals, catchy chorus, and a sound that's unique to Archive- it would be a sin not to listen to this masterpiece.