NEWS: The Antlers sign to Frenchkiss

Remember that record we wrote about a few months ago by The Antlers? Well if you don't, go check it out. It's a pretty stunning work of both narrative and sonic proportions, enveloping a heart-wrenching tale of illness and alienation in between some of the most subtly beautiful melodies and starkest soundscapes I've heard in awhile.

Well the band, headed by Peter Silberman, has signed to Frenchkiss Records and Hospice is getting a formal release, digitally June 16th and physically August 18th. The whole thing's been remastered, and the band assures "there shall be vinyl."

About the record Silberman says, "Hospice came from the idea of caring for a terminal patient who's mentally abusive to you. You don't have the right to argue with them, either, beacause they're the one who's dying here; they're the one who's been dealt a wrong hand. So you take it, but you can only take so much. Eventually, you realize that this person is just destroying you."

It's not light listening for sure, but the subject matter makes for an engrossing experience that isn't soon forgotten. The song below isn't from the record, but from last year's self released New York Hospitals EP, that actually introduces one of Hospice's key characters (I suspect Sylvia's the terminally ill patient), as well as one of Hospice's key melodic themes. Enjoy.

mp3: The Antlers - Sylvia (An Introduction)
from the New York Hospitals EP