Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
After making waves on critics' year-end lists and on tour in support of their debut LP, 2016's Masterpiece, Big Thief follow it up almost exactly a year later with Capacity, a thematic and sonic sequel. Lead singer and songwriter Adrianne Lenker has remarked that the albums are indeed "connected." While she still writes entirely from personal experience here, not invoking characters, the act of releasing the band's debut -- a record with moments that hit the musical equivalent of a raw nerve -- along with playing the songs over and over live, provided a sort of healing through immersion that can be heard in the increased composure of Capacity. The record is still intense and affecting, though, with guitars that sometimes seem to sob in sympathy with Lenker's vulnerable lyrics and delivery. The latter two take center stage right from the opener, "Pretty Things." It's an explicit solo acoustic guitar piece that has her addressing concepts of masculinity, femininity, and related interpretations of strength ("There's a woman inside of me/There's one inside of you, too/And she don't always do pretty things"). Later, "Mythological Beauty" includes the recounting of a near-fatal childhood event (from the perspective of both her and her mother) where the family treehouse collapsed, hitting Lenker on the head. The devastating "Shark Smile" opens with a cacophony of electric guitar and drums before settling into a catchy folk-rock tune about a car accident where half of a couple is killed. It's one of those pretty songs where the subject matter may be easy to overlook. There's plenty more heavy material to uncover (including a song called "Coma"), though it's all wrapped in a captivating musicality that combines the power of folk storytelling, poetry, and rock angst. In the case of Capacity, it's a quiet power.
© Marcy Donelson /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
From €13,50/month
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer - Zoë Lenker, Composer, StudioMusician
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Mat Davidson, AssociatedPerformer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Mat Davidson, AssociatedPerformer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Erin Birgy, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer, StudioMusician - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Mat Davidson, StudioMusician - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Mat Davidson, AssociatedPerformer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Mat Davidson, StudioMusician - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Michael Sachs, StudioMusician - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Greg Calbi, MasteringEngineer - Domino Music Publishing, MusicPublisher - Andrew Sarlo, Producer, Engineer, MixingEngineer - Domino Publishing Company (ASCAP), MusicPublisher - Adrianne Lenker, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Big Thief, MainArtist - Buck Meek, AssociatedPerformer - James Krivchenia, AssociatedPerformer - Max Oleartchik, AssociatedPerformer
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Review: Capacity - Big Thief
After making waves on critics' year-end lists and on tour in support of their debut LP, 2016's Masterpiece, Big Thief follow it up almost exactly a year later with Capacity, a thematic and sonic sequel. Lead singer and songwriter Adrianne Lenker has remarked that the albums are indeed "connected." While she still writes entirely from personal experience here, not invoking characters, the act of releasing the band's debut -- a record with moments that hit the musical equivalent of a raw nerve -- along with playing the songs over and over live, provided a sort of healing through immersion that can be heard in the increased composure of Capacity. The record is still intense and affecting, though, with guitars that sometimes seem to sob in sympathy with Lenker's vulnerable lyrics and delivery. The latter two take center stage right from the opener, "Pretty Things." It's an explicit solo acoustic guitar piece that has her addressing concepts of masculinity, femininity, and related interpretations of strength ("There's a woman inside of me/There's one inside of you, too/And she don't always do pretty things"). Later, "Mythological Beauty" includes the recounting of a near-fatal childhood event (from the perspective of both her and her mother) where the family treehouse collapsed, hitting Lenker on the head. The devastating "Shark Smile" opens with a cacophony of electric guitar and drums before settling into a catchy folk-rock tune about a car accident where half of a couple is killed. It's one of those pretty songs where the subject matter may be easy to overlook. There's plenty more heavy material to uncover (including a song called "Coma"), though it's all wrapped in a captivating musicality that combines the power of folk storytelling, poetry, and rock angst. In the case of Capacity, it's a quiet power.
© Marcy Donelson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:41:35
- Main artists: Big Thief
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: 4AD
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd 2017 Big Thief under exclusive license to 4AD Ltd
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.