Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You ALBUM REVIEW

[@TheBadBuffalo]

Simulation Swarm really has to be one of my favorite songs of this decade so far

[@hellokugelblitz6952]

Gotta concur with you there

[@isaacjones6323]

Saw it live and it has haunted my head in the 7 months since

[@bobrossantichrisst]

It’s really some absolutely stellar songwriting

[@nedlongdon8607]

Huge agree

[@gasmask1408]

Same

[@rare_medium]

You're high, "Change" may be overly accessible, but it's a classic as good as a Gordon Lightfoot song. It's simple, beautiful, and eternal. Anybody who writes songs would be proud to call it their own.

[@olal9904]

personally i really enjoy the opening line of "would you live forever, never die?" and then the closing line of "I'll live forever until i die" with the last track .

[@jakeithmusic]

literally!

[@averysliceprivate]

Same with the title track. If he were to take these songs from a songwriting standpoint, this album would've probably been a strong nine for him. It's obvious when some people haven't written a lot of music before

[@TonyofMP3]

This album feels just like the album cover, a long memorable night with friends discussing anything and everything

[@julianwilliams7364]

Great Description

[@mamercier10]

And you’re a dinosaur

[@lcs-1]

@@Bringadingus and you're islamophobic

[@bagel6627]

@@lcs-1 chill

[@GoodhitsTV]

@@Bringadingus and this isn’t necessarily a Muslim name you fool

[@cinveen]

Little Things and Change are the best two songs on the album, absolutely bewildered how those could be two of the three tracks he considers low points.

[@ghiidra__]

Sleepers! Still good though

[@colinstevens2462]

I would disagree that they're the best tracks on the album, but I do agree that it's near blasphemous for him to consider them low points

[@kioro4221]

I just can't see Change's appeal

[@f4gsforpele]

@@kioro4221 the lyrics and the melody are phenomenal

[@Ben-xl4hp]

You have discovered ✨the subjectivity of music✨

[@akisearu1486]

Adrianne Lenker is one of the best songwriters right now, and Big Thief one of the best bands. Beautiful album 10/10

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

Not as good as the masters of music Cory Feldman and NAV

[@maxpogfrog]

haha 421th like

[@marclaillet7958]

Adrianne Lenker and Joanna Newsom are the top 2 active female songwriters for sure

[@kier1568]

​@@marclaillet7958 I haven't heard of Joanna Newsom, thank you!!😅

[@michaelpurnell5203]

This may be the best musical start to a year ever, what an insane month and a half

[@asior34]

Calm yours down

[@hansonliu6886]

Sadly ants from up there is still the aoty

[@tomwitner874]

Put me on some shit

[@shiningnightmare5616]

January installment are mostly sh!t tho

[@ScoopMeisterGeneral]

lol

[@legofarm13]

I’m genuinely blown away that the three songs you singled out as weak points are my three favorites

[@ryanczaja]

Just had to say you’re not alone love those as well

[@yololol6880]

they re literally the top 3 songs on the album for me. wtf melon

[@kicktheghost_music]

ikr... dude little things slaps so hard

[@kicktheghost_music]

and change is just so calming and pretty... and idk wtf he's talkin about w the lyrics being weak. they're simple but profound and beautiful.

[@Jimmy-uy1xm]

also my favorites as well

[@damone7524]

This album is art and is gorgeous and wonderful folk rock is never this good these days. DO. NOT. LET. THE. LENGTH. SCARE. YOU! it is incredibly easy going and lovely, it's very pleasant and friendly. You will not be in nicer hands for a album this damn long. The vocals are too cute for words, the performances from the band are very very fun. This album is just nice, it's just a nice fun time with your friends in front of a campfire, inviting you to sing along in a moment of supreme niceness.

[@damone7524]

PLEASE, PLEASE HEAR THIS, if you like folk it's not even a question, and if you don't, you'll still adore this.

[@asior34]

Are you from management or something?

[@YodasPapa]

So varied too. Like I've just listened to Little Things (started because it was least fave and I couldn't remember which one it was - my reaction was basically wtf this is great) through to Red Moon and each song is a total stylistic shift, but simultaneously cohesive due to Lenker's general awesomeness.

[@joebidenjr5902]

I was not gonna listen to it but now I am

[@ujjwalmishra8962]

I heard everywhere at the end of time I can take it

[@cosmicpatchwork1972]

making change the opener was a really smart move in my opinion, actually! its simplicity draws you in in a way that most albums don't really do; it's less a bid to make a strong first impression and more of an invitation to settle down around the proverbial campfire the band's constructed . that feeling comes mostly from the fact that it sets aside the expectation that the album's gonna be at all imposing, which i think is really important for a record that's over 80 minutes long and definitely one of the reasons i sat through it all (which, boy i'm glad i did! this record's amazing)

[@albertlebron4885]

Love this idea. I had never listened to this band mainly cause I thought it was just another ehh indie band ( like now I know their first two albums mainly are ) so when my friend told me to give this record Iatry, I did with hesitation. I remember putting on the first track and thinking woo booy, I'm gonna need a better setting if I'm gonna soak this in because of how simple and slow it starts off.

[@Michael-uo8yv]

I disagree I think Change is a great opener with a ton of emotional depth to usher us into their world

[@makkietakkie]

Maybe not my pick for opener but such a beautiful song, the lyrics are a good blend between personal and poetic :)

[@ricardotreehi2384]

Change is my favorite it’s so touching

[@augustlindgren-ruby1966]

my hot take is that Change is a gorgeous song that I prefer as a single.

[@trevorrendell3081]

Change is a beautiful song that gets stuck in you head (and pretty complex for how simple it is). Why do I listen to Antony 0_0

[@Ali-fl5mb]

I personally would've said Time Escaping would've been a better opener. Love Change though and the cozy atmosphere it sets really drew me into the album.

[@mediawarmonger3850]

This album is the loveliest thing I have heard this year. Everyone should give it a shot.

[@jg6551]

this year? it’s the loveliest thing I’ve heard my whole life

[@tite93]

To be honest, I think the previous albums (UFOF, Two Hands) are also absolutely great and worth checking out

[@bienvenumyriel7233]

Underrated comment. They are as good as this one imo (which is amazing)

[@miguel77mg]

thank you for being honest.

[@LiveByFoma1]

And Capacity, especially if you like the indie rock side of Big Thief more than the folk side

[@youknowhuwitis]

UFOF is a masterpiece ignore melons shit coverage

[@gierasole]

Adrianne's solo work is also personally my favourite music ever made and songs (2020) is some of the most well put together stuff ever

[@MaxMax-zo9vq]

I’ve listened to this a few times and every time a new song grows on me. I think it’s because I haven’t had a chance to listen to it front-to-back, so more stuff jumps out to me every time I listen to a chunk of songs. Reminds me of Exile on Main Street where I don’t listen to the album in its entirety but I adore every song.

[@cl6421]

I love this comment because I consider Exile to be a classic “all the way through album”. I never listen to a song on its own! Love a different perspective :)

[@rhavzar9405]

Somehow incredibly nostalgic for a new album

[@scottysock5593]

This album sounds like home

[@truitt23381]

Gave me some Fleetwood Mac vibes

[@jadesmediacorner]

this is one of the first modern folk albums that has the EXACT same energy and vibe as the Rumors album by Fleetwood Mac. its so good.

[@tite93]

It really feels like something you'd play with your friends around the campfire. Makes me feel things I haven't really experienced

[@cheesybirdmess7349]

Tusk is my favorite Fleetwood Mac record and this album sounds so close to my heart.

[@thegingerx]

Adrianne is truly a once-in-a-lifetime lyricist and musician in general. Constantly in awe of her and the band’s ability to blend all of their unique interests and make it GOOD.

[@yashsolanki589]

Not even two months into the year, and we already have three AOTY contenders, Marchita, Ants from up There and Dragon New Mountain. After how incredible 2021 was for music, I did not think it would be topped and yet here we are.

[@manaspradhan8041]

I'm so glad I looked up ants from up there. Great band, love their older work too. Sunglasses bangs

[@ryanShhhh166]

And he’s probably gonna give another 9 to the new beach house album coming out. Insane year for music so far

[@dearthunderstorm4062]

We ????? Bro. Part of the Fantano hive mind

[@tite93]

@@dearthunderstorm4062 One of us! One of us! One of us!

[@royalwarlord2342]

Yeah if you enjoy shit genres

[@Proppedupbybooks]

Heavy Bend is like a piece of candy with its brevity. Part of me wants it to be 4 minutes longer, but I actually love how short it is. I want to live in that song. Surprised he didn’t mention it, but Of course talking about music always is subjective opinion. I think I’ve listened to that little gem at least 100 times at this point. Whenever I put it on, I can never not repeat it at least once. Usually more like 5 times.

[@apostle7542]

He did mention it, but definitely top 3 on the album

[@QuandaleDingleBarnacleJonesIII]

Holy shit a 9/10 for big thief from Melon??? Am I dreaming???

[@EuriLochus]

Fantano been gettin’ it right the last couple days

[@olliem439]

Nah not the Saba one

[@shiningnightmare5616]

@@olliem439 You're wrong

[@olliem439]

@@shiningnightmare5616 It was at the very least a 7 come on

[@thatguygabe3488]

“Least fav track: little things” fantano you are one silly melon

[@SageReiger]

I’m so glad to see so many 9s being released the past few weeks.

[@pedroacosta835]

Yeah, hopefully we get albums of this quality all year round

[@lucabonasio3143]

Now i'm afraid beach house is going to get a 7 😂

[@MarshallsEmporium]

The first 9 of 2021 only showed up in march (Promises) It's mid february and we already got three 9s this year. This is shaping up to be one hell of a year for music, isn't it?

[@geoffreytbaker8724]

Earl, Twiggz, BCNR, Rolo Tomassi, hell, even Korn we might see on an installment of "Not Bad." So yeah... So far so good.

[@dodleblob]

He's given a ton of 9s this year so far, it's kinda awesome

[@jonnyvanderhorst]

Adrianne Lencker is fastly becoming the Bob Dylan of this day and age.

[@azorazan]

Well when I think off Bob Dylan I think also off his being politcally active role model, and somewhat radical musically... Also he sometimes comes over like a narcissistic asshole wich is quite a different vibe from Adrianne Lencker

[@jonnyvanderhorst]

Maybe more Leonard Cohen, then? No, just joking. I was thinking about it more in the way of the versatility of her songwriting, then in the way of their personas, which are indeed quite different. Although I think Adrianne is somewhat political in her own way.

[@azorazan]

@@jonnyvanderhorst haha, yea i see where youre coming from. Im not so familiar with her political views but I would be interested

[@ljummingen]

Relax

[@insideanorca]

​@Vic Birth Bob Dylan was never an outstanding musician, he is famous for his lyrics mostly. Adrienne would remind me of more rounded artists like Joni Mitchell

[@joaquinbear3613]

Pitchfork and Fantano PERFECTLY in sync for once

[@sean.anthony6044]

Same with AFUT

[@Userrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.r]

@@sean.anthony6044 pitchfork gave it an 8

[@cosmug]

it’s always nice to hear good reviews. Even if i haven’t heard the album yet, it makes me happy to hear such positive things

[@MrJacobeee]

Awesome to see Anthony’s love for this band grow so fast...from 5/10 to 9/10 in 3 years

[@Gabriel071293]

And he also digged a lot Adrianne's solo project from 2020

[@spamsingles5948]

5 to 7 to 8 to 9 if you include Songs

[@Szanth]

I hate the framing of this comment. He didn't give a previous album a 5 because he didn't like the band. He didn't give this album a 9 because he likes the band now. He didn't like a previous album. He liked this one more.

[@ajk-r7i]

@@Szanth no he personally HATES big thief, he said so when he gave them a 5 for no reason.

[@sanfordcurtis8242]

Him giving a 5 to UFOF was a crime

[@juandanielrodriguezvasquez1739]

Definitely the cover art and the music represent so good a night camp with your friends around just chilling and having no problems in their minds. Also finally Big Thief receiving the yellow flannel

[@EWisEW]

Little Things is least fav??? Seriously the best on the album

[@JPTQJR]

Finally Big Thief gets the recognition it deserves from Anthony This record from front to back was fantastic

[@romilrh]

Little Things would've been your favorite song if it was called Big Things

[@johnpangarakis396]

Honestly this album cover deserves to belong to a great album

[@nocturnaloop]

This album has been on my rotation absolutely non-stop the last 6 months, it’s insane how much it’s stayed with me

[@Concreteoverwaterr]

Yes! Yes! Now we just need the Once Twice Melody 9

[@anaccount4354]

Change and the title track are the two best on the album

[@rjbride]

Spud infinity is such a fantastic piece of songwriting.

[@gilopaolo]

how is it possible to have Little Things as your least favorite track from the album… O.o?? imo one of the best big thief songs i’ve heard

[@turboshazed7370]

Had to be one of them

[@josieg8846]

it's my fav song off the record .. it's so good

[@Julia-hj7nn]

sparrow, spud infinity, and certainty are some of the best tracks big thief have ever produced. adrianne is a genius

[@JugdishOomplop]

how the HELL is little things in least fave tho???

[@Tinytunes-25]

When he wears the yellow flannel, I check the spotify channel. Melons taste is on another level.

[@agnikbanerjee694]

Anthony: "...this new album from Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" Cal: "A-draggga...A-draggga WHATT???" Anthony: DRAGON DEEZ NUTS ACROSS YOUR FACE The opportunity was there Anthony. My disappointment is immeasurable.

[@alx.burgir]

I'm so happy I clicked on this last year for of the interesting title. I hadn't heard of Big Thief but now they're one of my favourite bands.

[@seancourtney5548]

“this album doesn’t drag on at all” see what u did there tony

[@JayRo72896]

i love everything about this review except HOW TF YOU GONNA DO THE TITLE TRACK DIRTY LIKE THAT it's one of the most goddamn beautiful songs i've heard in my entire life

[@mattwall3267]

It’s 2024 and this is still the best album to come out of this millennium.

[@Soulkinthehuman]

Real

[@bobbycool2815]

hey anthony, noticed that this one had a 9/10 instead of a 10/10. just wanted to point that out, thanks!

[@MrJacobeee]

Finally I can forgive you for that UFOF review...no but seriously what an incredible run this band has had the last few years!

[@my-spinning-wheel]

Didn't expect the phrase "new type of folk rock" to make sense at any point. SO good.

[@hellobrowizard101]

Seeing this made me so happy. This is one of my favorite albums of recent times. But I can’t help but think this is a personal attack in that your least favorite track is literally my favorite track on the album

[@Warnerchild]

i've been nervous to dive into this album cos 'simulation swarm' is one of my songs of the year so far and I've never heard the band before ......so it's good to know it's yellow flannel solid before I do get round to it

[@alan-kn4sq]

Big Thief is a great band their debut record is great indie folk and shorter if you want to dig deeper

[@TheKingEdoardo]

Little Things in the Least Fav Tracks is Fantano's worst take of the decade so far

[@nicolasdelcastillo6497]

You know Big Thief is an amazing band because when you don't love a particular song or record by them as much as you do the rest, somebody else absolutely loves that song or record.

[@enzogarcia1028]

I absolutely love this album. 10/10 for me.

[@crazycrusher2730]

Melon New Warm Yellow Flannel I Agree With You

[@EmZevSS]

so glad this is getting such a high score they deserve it so much

[@dontyouwonder]

i love this album. Change, Sparrow & Blue Lightning are my favs. so far this is AOTY

[@ryanmassey7231]

Honestly a wonderful, serene album! Enjoyed every minute of this masterpiece. My first Big Thief album and I absolutely loved it! No Reason and Promise is a Pendulum are my favourites 😍

[@ihate_5x108]

I always thought of big thief as a generic indie band (without having listened to them), but when I finally listened to this album this week I was kind of blown away. This reminds me of so many of my past summers having campfires with friends I’ve grown distant from and friends that have moved away. I’ll probably cry to this later lmao. Great album

[@marthson4235]

This is my album of the year. Nothing else is going to beat it. The production and instrumentation is just incredible and it’s only elevated by Lenker’s phenomenal songwriter. I love it so much.

[@hevvyserve]

crazy how subjective it all is… little things is possibly my favorite

[@michaela2368]

this is one of my favorite album covers ever and it matches the music perfectly.

[@micahnical]

This album is like a warm hug or seeing the first flowers of spring blooming.

[@eddiemercado1016]

how can you listen to Little Things and not love it 🤭

[@jadesmediacorner]

the fact that just the first month and a half of this year has had four absolute banger albums/mixtapes (Dawn FM, Caprisongs, Ants From Up There, and this) gives me a LOT of hope for music this year. i think those four are already contenders for my favorites of the year list for sure. this is such a relaxing album and it helped me stay sane while closing at work so props to Big Thief for making me not want to cry while mopping ✌️

[@andrew_gould]

Cal is the real Big Thief, he stole my damn cranberry juice 😡🧃

[@speak_no_evil]

Cal 😡😡😡 give it back

[@andrew_gould]

@@speak_no_evil GIMME BACK MY DAYUM CRANBERRY JUICE CAL 😡😡

[@ryanreed380]

I get that a lot of people say this album feels like a calm campfire, jamming out with friends, like the cover art portrays. To me, it feels more like a road trip. There’s always something new, you never quite know what you’re going to find, but what’s guaranteed is the happiness of being with loved ones and sharing the experience. That’s how I view this incredible album.

[@NoblePringles]

Three 9s already baby, 2022 can just end after Feb

[@danhumphrey5886]

Knew this album would get at least an 8. Absolutely adore this one

[@realityweasel8461]

I will play Heavy Bend on repeat until it breaks my headphones

[@jessenorman91]

also flower of blood defined my winter last year so i hope this winter i can get back to that vibe

[@Formanian]

Saw them live a couple of days ago. The performance really touched me. Made me tear up a bit. They were really good. Listened to this album today. Really enjoyable :)

[@jayb3ar30]

I adore this album, I’ve been scanning over it for the past few days and it really is something special. I’m happy so many people are able to see the amazing qualities within this piece.

[@lrlarch1706]

LITTLE THINGS WORST TRACK?? WTF

[@florian5560]

Imo it’s wake me up to drive- I love little things tho!

[@lalaleo_lol]

We’re getting a lot of yellow flannels and a lot of Cal as of late! And it’s only February!

[@zophia5393]

I listened to this album while getting my nails done and i swear i was so close to crying a bit in the salon this album is so beautiful 🥺 10/10 imo

[@alialmuhamad4780]

Dragon New Warm Melon I Believe in You

[@cookiemonster3066]

Melon's 2022 Scores: 10: 0 9: 3 8: 4 7: 7 6: 5 5: 0 4: 1 3: 1 2: 0 1: 0 0: 0 NOT GOOD: 1 Gunna - DS4EVER NOT BAD: 1 Walker Hayes - Country Stuff The Album I just realized that in the comments after ants from up there I said he had only given one 9 when he actually gave 2

[@Brody24272]

Do you think he'll give an album a 10 this year?

[@cookiemonster3066]

@@Brody24272 Idk, there is no way of knowing, this is an amazing year so far but there were other great years like 2019 where he didnt give a 10

[@sundogsun]

YES simulation swarm is so addictive. so so so glad to hear i’m not alone. i’ve played this album start to end at least 10 times so far

[@Daniel-ml4ix]

Change and Little Things are two of the Best singles of 2021…

[@diegosandokan]

This year has started with some great albums

[@sachitechless]

As my first introduction to Big Thief, I really loved this album. It felt like the more mature Courtney Barnett album I was hoping Things Take Time, Take Time would end up. I think I adored it even more because I'm a fan of Courtney Barnett. Also please please review the ripper new album, War On Two Fronts by Dissidente.

[@d1z9090]

Thought we were about to get the first 10 of 2022 from the thumbnail

[@boha7234]

2022 is shaping up to be such a great year for music

[@joerogan3079]

*BIG COUNTRY, NEW THIEF*

[@nicksmusictaste]

my concern for you was at an all-time high in the video’s first two seconds.

[@neminem233]

Oooh a yellow flannel I wonder what this album will be like

[@noahpoobbailey]

indie folk / folk rock

[@Ozymoron]

Cosmic gumbo americana

[@cheesybirdmess7349]

Tusk is my favorite Fleetwood Mac record and this album sounds so close to my heart.

[@merrick2792]

Maybe I’m imagining it, but I feel like there has been an unusually high number of gold flannel reviews in this first month and a half. Gonna be a good year

[@ewansladen24]

i think change is so beautiful and its the song i’ve connected with most after a few listens

[@joerogan3079]

*CALLING IT NOW 2022 WILL BE THE BEST YEAR IN MUSIC*

[@shiningnightmare5616]

Finally Anthony, now I can listen to Big Thief

[@AReasonableManAbroad]

I love how much Cal has been around your place lately.

[@AnthonySkatz]

I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but I was REALLY impressed with pretty much every track they released to the lead-up to this. I feel like I've appreciated or respected Big Thief/Lenker more than I've actually liked them over the years, but sans for an isolated track or two on prior albums, this has felt like the moment where they really plant their flag as a truly great band. There's a giddy sense of "FUCK IT, LET'S ROLL!" with every style and topic they tackle; there's an enthusiastic joy and earnestness that comes through without feeling cloying; Lenker shows herself to be maybe one of the most versatile singers and writers in indie rock/folk/whatevs. Everything here projects an assured confidence. I won't delve into every track, but opener "Change" feels like the closest thing I've heard to a Stevie Nicks "Landslide" in a while. "Time Escaping" has such a janky groove that it almost feels like a Beta Band Three E.P.'s B-side. "Spud Infinity" is maybe Lenker claiming the Female John Prine crown (or maybe making one?) or being an Iris DeMent looking for her John Prine.

[@kmcsounds25]

this album struck me deep, it’s absolutely incredible. happy to hear that fantano’s enjoying it too.

[@jessenorman91]

critiquing the title track should be punishable with jail time

[@7Xfer]

I would love to see you review Lucifer On The Sofa from Spoon!

[@olafowl5678]

Really loving the intro and the cal segment in this one, Melon

[@EnglishAndFilm]

This showcases how much of a contribution in terms of quality Cal has been making all along. Underestimated AF.

[@abhaymhatre8534]

I discovered them randomly while listening to indie music on Spotify and instantly fell in love with their style

[@steadyrhythms9571]

finally. finally big thief gets your praise. this thing is incredible. back to back instant classics the last two weeks with BCNR and now this. and we have a new great beach house album coming this week too. we're having such a great year for music.

[@dantdma932]

I know this is unrelated but what are the albums that are outside of your banner like I recognise Flower Boy and I think there is an early rolling stone record and Powers That B on the outside of your banner but that's it

[@steadyrhythms9571]

@@dantdma932 honestly i can’t even tell myself, i set that a couple years ago. i know there’s Fleetwood Mac’s rumors, idles’ joy as an act of resistance, Danny brown’s atrocity exhibition, and Bon iver’s for Emma forever ago. otherwise i honestly cannot tell.

[@dantdma932]

@@steadyrhythms9571 thanks anyway

[@PhilFoal]

Damn so many 9s, what a strong start for 2022