Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel
| Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel | ||||
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| Studio album by Atlas Sound | ||||
| Released | February 18, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2007 | |||
| Genre | Experimental Rock | |||
| Length | 50:01 | |||
| Label | Kranky, 4AD | |||
| Producer | Bradford Cox | |||
| Atlas Sound chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
European edition artwork
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (81/100) |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |
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| Blender |
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| Drowned in Sound | (8/10) |
| Magnet | (favorable) |
| Paste |
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| Pitchfork Media | (8.6/10) |
| PopMatters | (8/10) |
| Slant Magazine |
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| Tiny Mix Tapes |
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| URB |
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Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel is the first studio album by Atlas Sound, the solo project of Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox. The album was released in North America by Kranky on February 19, 2008 and in Europe by 4AD on May 5, 2008. The tracks of Let the Blind Lead were constructed with computer-generated and recorded instruments in music software Ableton Live. Described as being stream-of-consciousness in nature by Cox, each song was created over the span of several hours; in addition, the music and lyrics were written and sung on the spot. For its release, the tracks were arranged in the order in which they were recorded; Cox described the album as a whole as having a "dynamic arc" to it. The North American cover art is a modified photograph of a painting of a doctor treating a sick boy. The face of the child is obscured by a camera flash, although Cox feels that this gives the picture a "romantic" element.
The lyrics of Let the Blind Lead are autobiographical in nature, reflecting life experiences of Cox. These include abuses he received as a child, past drug addictions, and the time he spent hospitalized as a teenager due to his genetic disorder Marfan syndrome. Several songs concern his best friend Lockett Pundt, the guitarist for Deerhunter, whom the album is dedicated to. "Winter Vacation" is a reflection on the first time the two met, while in "Ativan", Cox examines his relationship with Pundt. Let the Blind Lead was generally well-received by critics; some praised Cox's emotional lyrics, while others criticized his music for lacking substance. The record charted at number 32 on Billboard magazine's Top Heatseekers chart for one week.
The music of Atlas Sound utilizes computer-based MIDI instruments, created and recorded in musical software Ableton Live; the program allows Cox "to turn pretty much any sound into a MIDI-controllable keyboard", according to him. Effects that were not already built into the program were seldom used. Brian Foote of the band Nudge assisted Cox in the production of Let the Blind Lead, by showing him the basics of the software, and aiding in the selection of equipment that would be used on the record. Cox described the process of recording the album as being stream-of-consciousness: "with Atlas Sound, the songs are being written as they're recorded." In addition, all of the lyrics on the album were created as they were being recorded on the first take.
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