Beneath The Skin

Solid followup to their debut albut. I generally like to listen to an album a few times all the way through before making a final judgement. "My Head is an Animal" was a perfect example of this: Dirty Paws started as one of my least favorite songs and turned into my favorite off that album. This is a long-winded way of saying: I like melancholy, but dayum. The energy just doesn't seem to be there. This spotlights the vocals and lyrics, but shortchanges the rest of the band. Using an upbeat song to speak to mental illness/insanity in "Little Talks" was awesome.If this sounds overtly negative, I can only say it is because of enormous expectations coming in. I still very much enjoy this album, it just doesn't have the sweeping highs of Mountain Sound and Dirty Paws and melancholy lows of Love, Love, Love or Your Bones. I would say that Humans, Crystals, and I of the Storm are the standouts.In summary, if you like OMAM, you will like this album. It has cleaner, if less rich, sound. It is definitely less upbeat and varied instrumentally as its predecessor, but that isn't inherently a bad thing. What it does, it does very, very well. On its own merits, it definitely is praiseworthy. I guess it is just a victim of monumental expectations.

These descendants of the great old Vikings have produced another outstanding and very creative album and the drumming is absolutely mesmerizing. These folks are from Iceland which, although very beautiful, is climatologically not for the faint of heart. The songs and their lyrics seem to reflect the spirit of their homeland; the volcanic Island on the edge of the Arctic Circle where North Atlantic cyclones howl, volcanoes roar, and the short sweet summer paints pictures of green pastures, rainbows and waterfalls. The first half of the album is rather intense as the almost tribal sounding drumming carries you from one song to the other. The second half of the album is just a bit more reflective and mellow. Altogether, this is an outstanding sophomore album by this vibrant young Nordic band.

This album is actually an "album," in the sense that almost all the songs are good, and they all share a compositional kinship that makes "Beneath the Skin" something you can listen to all the way through. The first track is the best, and the others carry the experience through almost without fail.It's difficult, if not impossible, for so many artists to produce original-sounding rock that isn't annoying. Of Monsters And Men have managed to do that. No single track on here is as good as "Mountain Sound," but it was still richly rewarding.

Solid sophomore effort. All songs work well, in the same style as OMAM's "My Head is an Animal". None of the songs stand out strongly yet (I've listened to the entire album, in order, at least 3 times), but they are all quite enjoyable (i.e. I don't have any favorites yet).According to Wikipedia/EN, the singles from this album are: Crystals, I of the Storm, Empire, and Hunger. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beneath_the_Skin_(Of_Monsters_and_Men_album))I bought the standard release album, so I can't comment on the additional 4 tracks on the "Deluxe" release version.

Liked the first CD, but REALLY like this one. Solid the whole way through, moving. May not be everyone's taste, haunting and intimate vocals in places, backed by a rocking band with plenty of drums and bass when needed. A little on the progressive side, maybe, but original and plenty of depth. A mature band compared to the first album, sound engineering is superb. Take some psychedelics (responsibly, of course), and turn it up! Play on a good sound system to get the most out of this one, it's complex.

If you've been listening to any alt rock radio station, this will sound like a Greatest Hits album. No filler. Listen to the lyrics and then remind yourself that these folks are from Iceland -- and English is most likely a second language at best. Then listen to almost anything on pop radio.

My boyfriend helped sell my car and forgot to take this CD out, so some stranger has it now. Before that, I listened to it a lot. One of my favorite bands. Gonna make him replace it for me because it’s too good to lose

Not only did this product come days earlier than it was supposed to which is always fantastic. it showed up in perfect condition. This album is FANTASTIC! Its almost like an extension of their first album, My Head Is An Animal. The quality of their song writing is like none other and helps ensure that every song brings out a different emotion. They are a pleasant surprise to those who dont know much about them. Theres nothing like discovering a great new band and they are without a doubt one of them!

I love this album, a little pricey mind!

I love this group! They re so good! Cant stop listening!Delivery was quick!

Love song no 1.

Bellissimo album

Brilliant album. Highly recommended. If you get a chance to see them live then take it.