Family Average: 6/7

Have you ever been drunk off heat? I know I have. I have spent many days drunk off heat in various summer soccer camps across this great nation. Today’s band, A Box of Stars, has also experienced this phenomena in their latest album Days Drunk Off Heat. It makes sense, I mean I would imagine a box full of stars would be quite hot. Just one star can reach temperatures up to 10,000 Fahrenheit.

I can tell it is already starting to heat up down below in the rest of the article. So why don’t you press play over on their Bandcamp and read on to find out:

This Vermont based band is one of my recent favorites. Described as “stark dream folk,” A Box of Stars has created a total reverie; a dream state that lulls and carries you through a smudged, sparkling soundscape. It’s a dynamic showcase of their abilities, ranging from soft-spoken and delicate musings to more pop-oriented tracks. It’s sort of haunting and cinematic, with a certain quiet sophistication to the handling and production. Soaking in sweet, sumptuous reverb, mixed with distinct pedals and the subtle force of violin, there’s also melancholia floating through that’s sort of hypnotic; as if you’re slow-dancing through a field of daisies or something equally somewhat twee and dreamy. Overall, just a lovely soundtrack to color these grey days.  

6/7

I have never had a need to discover the perfect accompaniment for Super 8 footage of friends running around in wheat fields. Nevertheless, with Days Drunk Off Heat, I have it and will continue to store it for when the occasion arises.

To call this a folk album kind of detracts from your enjoyment of it. A lot of names of genres do this. Even the specific ones. That said it does give a nice point of reference, so allow me to build on top of it. Okay yeah, it is a folk album. It is also a slow burning echo chamber filled with whirling tones. That does a lot better to describe it, but it is not as easy to say as “Folk”.

At times it is lush, cymbals crashing, and the feeling of many people standing in a room making pretty sounds.

Other times it is completely stripped bare. Vocals shrouded by distortion. Making the vocals seem distant, and kind of ghostly.

Overall I had a great time with it. Bittersweet is the best sweet. Keep on creeping on.

6/7

This music just makes you feel wonderful. Like you are in a dream! Very calming and full of energy at the same time. This band very closely reminds me of @angusandjuliastone, but on another level of chill.

This music is just beautiful. “Tongue Tied” is very catchy and makes you want to sing along. Did You have a bad day at work? Put this on and all will be alright. I believe this is classified as “dream folk” and it couldn’t be more spot on!! When you are stoned, these songs just make you more stoned. The collection of instruments and beautiful vocals make this album one of a kind and an easy listen!

6/7

“How can just a guitar make music so sad? I can’t keep my attention from it.”

This album floats along at a slow steady winding pace.

Emo folk was the genre I pegged it as but then I saw dream/indie folk listed and that works just fine. I wasn’t aware this sort of genre existed, it’s nice, soft and dreamy. I’m not used to voices like these with music like this singing lyrics of this sense.

How can just a guitar make music so sad? I can’t keep my attention from it. Then it deepens when those slow gloomy voices are layered on with those nice harmonies too.

“Sunshivers” is a more upbeat song. I think it’s clever and it makes me “feel just fine.”  

The man singer at times, especially in “Migratory Birds,” is reminiscent of Told Slant with that almost monotone downcast voice that kind of rips you into pieces.

“When you're young the world tastes like blood” wow I would never think to string those words today but they should be.

This album goes places and grows. Well done.

6/7

This composition is soothing and peaceful; yet, the poignant lyrics draw a dark contrast to the music, I believe they are intended to pierce the soul, to compel the listen to feel something. That compassionate writing is very refreshing. All of the tracks are a beautiful contradiction. This entire album is reminiscent or characteristic of Vermont with it’s captivating natural beauty, although the biting cold climate reminds you that you are alive.

I especially liked “Virgins” it paints a picture of reckless youth, carefree at time but also questioning and worrisome at the same time. I could definitely picture myself listening to this music in an old victoria rooming house somewhere in the deepest part of the Vermont wilderness. These guys certainly set a mood of serenity juxtaposed with suffering, and soulful survival.

 5/7