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{{Infobox album |
{{Infobox album |
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| name = Parallax |
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| type = Studio album |
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| artist = [[Atlas Sound]] |
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| cover = Parallax-Atlas Sound 480.jpg |
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| released = 7 November 2011 |
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| recorded = June 2011 at Rare Book Room Studios, Brooklyn, NY |
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* [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref name = RS /> |
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* [[dream pop]]<ref name = TMT /> |
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| length = 48:32 |
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| This album = ''Parallax''<br />(2011) |
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| label = [[4AD]] |
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| prev_year = 2009 |
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'''''Parallax''''' is the third studio album from Bradford Cox's solo project [[Atlas Sound]], released November 7, 2011 on [[4AD]]. The album debuted at #97 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and has received |
'''''Parallax''''' is the third studio album from Bradford Cox's solo project [[Atlas Sound]], released November 7, 2011 on [[4AD]]. The album debuted at #97 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and has received critical acclaim.<ref name=charts>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=atlas sound|chart=all}} Parallax - Atlas Sound]. Billboard.com. Retrieved 18 November 2011</ref><ref name= "MC"/> |
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==Album title== |
==Album title== |
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==Recording== |
==Recording== |
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Production duties were handled by Cox and previous [[Deerhunter]] producer [[Nicolas Vernhes]]. The album was assembled at the end of a Deerhunter tour and was mostly recorded at Nicholas Vernhes' studio, Rare Book Room Studios |
Production duties were handled by Cox and previous [[Deerhunter]] producer [[Nicolas Vernhes]]. The album was assembled at the end of a Deerhunter tour and was mostly recorded at Nicholas Vernhes' studio, Rare Book Room Studios |
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in Brooklyn, NY.<ref name=rsinterview/><ref name=4ad>[http://4ad.com/releases/21382 Parallax by Atlas Sound]. [[4AD]]. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref><ref name=pitchforkinterview>Fitzmaurice, Larry. [ |
in Brooklyn, NY.<ref name=rsinterview/><ref name=4ad>[http://4ad.com/releases/21382 Parallax by Atlas Sound]. [[4AD]]. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref><ref name=pitchforkinterview>Fitzmaurice, Larry. [https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/8707-bradford-cox/ Interviews: Bradford Cox]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.</ref> Two of the album's tracks ("Flagstaff" and "Terra Incognita") were recorded by Cox himself in his hotel room at the Ace Hotel in New York as a result of limited studio time.<ref name=wvau>Walters, Carrie. [http://www.wvau.org/2011/11/14/cmj-2011-atlas-sound-ace-hotel/ CMJ 2011: Atlas Sound @ Ace Hotel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120151805/http://www.wvau.org/2011/11/14/cmj-2011-atlas-sound-ace-hotel/ |date=2012-01-20 }}. WVAU.org. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.</ref> 4AD also launched a website, depicting an image of Cox in Manhattan's [[Central Park]], similar to the artwork of his two previous releases, his face is obscured by a [[lens flare]]. The website lists the genre as "Science Fiction."<ref name=4adparalax>[http://4ad.com/parallax/ Atlas Sound - Parallax]. [[4AD]]. Retrieved 7 November 2011.</ref> Cox dedicated the album to the late [[Trish Keenan]] of [[Broadcast (band)|Broadcast]], who had died earlier in 2011.<ref name=pitchforkinterview/> |
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The artwork features a photograph of Bradford Cox taken by [[Mick Rock]], who had previously shot photographs for albums such as ''[[Raw Power]]'', ''[[The Madcap Laughs]]'', and ''[[Transformer (album)|Transformer]]''.<ref name=pitchforkannounce>Fitzmaurice, Larry. [ |
The artwork features a photograph of Bradford Cox taken by [[Mick Rock]], who had previously shot photographs for albums such as ''[[Raw Power]]'', ''[[The Madcap Laughs]]'', and ''[[Transformer (Lou Reed album)|Transformer]]''.<ref name=pitchforkannounce>Fitzmaurice, Larry. [https://pitchfork.com/news/43632-atlas-sound-announces-new-album/ Atlas Sound Announces New Album]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.</ref> Cox met Rock through [[Michael Stipe]] and the two quickly became friends. The cover's artwork was meant to reflect the influence [[classic rock]] and [[rock and roll]] had on Cox when he recorded the album.<ref name=pitchforkinterview/><ref name=parallaxrelease>[http://4ad.com/news/7/11/2011/atlassoundsnewrecordparallaxreleasedtoday Atlas Sound's New Record, Parallax, Released Today]. [[4AD]]. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.</ref> Unlike previous Atlas Sound album covers, ''Parallax'''s cover did not feature faces obscured by a [[lens flare]]. By not covering his face with a flare, Cox felt that the album cover effectively conveyed the loneliness he experienced creating the album.<ref name=pitchforkinterview/> |
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==Release== |
==Release== |
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The album was announced on August 24, 2011.<ref name=pitchforkannounce/> Prior the album's release, more than half the album's songs were made officially available for streaming and/or download. Two demos of "Mona Lisa" were originally released on the third volume of the Bedroom Databank series that Cox had released on the [[Deerhunter]] blog in 2010.<ref name=monalisablog>[http://deerhuntertheband.blogspot.com/2010/11/atlas-sound-bedroom-databank-vol-3.html ATLAS SOUND: BEDROOM DATABANK VOL. 3]. [[Blogspot]]. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2011</ref><ref name=monalisa>Katzif, Michael. [ |
The album was announced on August 24, 2011.<ref name=pitchforkannounce/> Prior the album's release, more than half the album's songs were made officially available for streaming and/or download. Two demos of "Mona Lisa" were originally released on the third volume of the Bedroom Databank series that Cox had released on the [[Deerhunter]] blog in 2010.<ref name=monalisablog>[http://deerhuntertheband.blogspot.com/2010/11/atlas-sound-bedroom-databank-vol-3.html ATLAS SOUND: BEDROOM DATABANK VOL. 3]. [[Blogspot]]. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2011</ref><ref name=monalisa>Katzif, Michael. [https://www.npr.org/2011/11/15/142330327/atlas-sound-a-pop-gem-at-long-last Atlas Sound: A Pop Gem, At Long Last]. [[NPR]]. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.</ref> "Te Amo," (originally known as "Untitled") and "Flagstaff" have appeared in live Atlas Sound sets for about a year.<ref name=nyctaper>[http://www.nyctaper.com/?p=2409 Atlas Sound: February 3, 2010 Bell House – Flac and MP3 Downloads]. nyctaper.com. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref> |
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"Terra Incognita" was the first track available to coincide with the album's announcement. "Te Amo," "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs," "Amplifiers," "The Shakes," "Lightworks," "Praying Man," and "Flagstaff," all followed. Some were made exclusively available through websites such as the online retailer [[Amazon.com|Amazon]],<ref name=flagstaff>Muir, Ryan. [ |
"Terra Incognita" was the first track available to coincide with the album's announcement. "Te Amo," "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs," "Amplifiers," "The Shakes," "Lightworks," "Praying Man," and "Flagstaff," all followed. Some were made exclusively available through websites such as the online retailer [[Amazon.com|Amazon]],<ref name=flagstaff>Muir, Ryan. [https://stereogum.com/853181/atlas-sound-flagstaff/mp3s/ Atlas Sound – “Flagstaff”]. Stereogum. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref> radio station [[KEXP]]'s blog<ref name=kexp>Beckmann, Jim. [http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2011/10/21/new-atlas-sound-track-praying-man-world-premiere/ New Atlas Sound track: “Praying Man” world premiere!]. [[KEXP]]. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref> and music blogs [[Gorilla vs. Bear]]<ref name=aquaticnightsongs>[http://www.gorillavsbear.net/2011/09/23/atlas-sound-modern-aquatic-nightsongs/ Atlas Sound – “Modern Aquatic Nightsongs”]. [[Gorilla vs. Bear]]. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.</ref> and [[Fluxblog]]. On November 2, 2011, the whole album was streamed on the [[New York Times]] website.<ref name=nytstream>Brown, Jacob. [https://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/now-playing-parallax-the-new-album-by-atlas-sound/ Now Playing | ‘Parallax,’ the New Album by Atlas Sound]. [[New York Times]]. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011</ref> |
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"Parallax," the album's first single, was released on October 24, 2011. It was backed with the b-side "Oh, Ricky."<ref name=parallaxsingle>[http://www.4ad.com/releases/21413 Parallax/Oh Ricky by Atlas Sound]. [[4AD]]. Retrieved 7 November 2011.</ref> |
"Parallax," the album's first single, was released on October 24, 2011. It was backed with the b-side "Oh, Ricky."<ref name=parallaxsingle>[http://www.4ad.com/releases/21413 Parallax/Oh Ricky by Atlas Sound]. [[4AD]]. Retrieved 7 November 2011.</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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{{ |
{{Music ratings |
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| ADM = 8.1/10<ref>{{cite web|title=Parallax by Atlas Sound reviews|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/3860/Atlas-Sound-Parallax.aspx|website=AnyDecentMusic?|accessdate=December 29, 2019}}</ref> |
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| MC = |
| MC = 82/100<ref name= "MC">{{cite web|title=Reviews for Parallax by Atlas Sound|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/parallax/atlas-sound|website=Metacritic|accessdate=November 8, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rev1= [[ |
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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|rev1Score= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|title=Parallax |
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|title=Parallax – Atlas Sound|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/parallax-r2300685/review/|website=AllMusic|accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rev2= [[The A.V. Club]] |
| rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' |
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|rev2Score= |
| rev2Score = A−<ref name=avclub>{{cite web|last=Greenwald|first=David|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax|url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/atlas-sound-parallax,64703/|website=The A.V. Club|date=November 8, 2011|accessdate=November 8, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rev3= [[Drowned in Sound]] |
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| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' |
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|rev4= [[musicOMH]] |
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|rev4Score= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=musicomh>{{cite web|last=Raymond|first=Max|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - album reviews - musicOMH|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/atlas-sound-2_1111.htm|publisher=musicOMH|accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=mojo>{{cite journal|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax|journal=Mojo|issue=217|date=December 2011|page=99}}</ref> |
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|rev5= [[Pitchfork Media]] |
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| rev5 = ''[[NME]]'' |
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|rev5Score= (8.7/10)<ref name=pitchfork>{{cite web|last=Neyland|first=Nick|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax - Album Reviews - Pitchfork|url=http://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15998-parallax/|publisher=Pitchfork Media|accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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| rev5Score = 8/10<ref name=nme>{{cite web|last=Catling|first=Simon Jay|title=Album Review: Atlas Sound – 'Parallax'|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/atlas-sound/12470|website=NME|date=November 18, 2011|accessdate=December 29, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609120741/http://www.nme.com/reviews/atlas-sound/12470|archivedate=June 9, 2012}}</ref> |
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|rev6= [[Popmatters]] |
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| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
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|rev6Score= (9/10)<ref name=popmatters>{{cite web|last=Tebo|first=Daniel|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax < PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150833-atlas-sound-parallax/|publisher=Popmatters|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> |
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| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' |
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| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=q>{{cite journal|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax|journal=Q|issue=305|date=December 2011|page=123}}</ref> |
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|rev8= [[Slant Magazine]] |
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| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' |
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| rev9Score = 9/10<ref name=spin>{{cite web|last=Hogan|first=Marc|title=Atlas Sound, 'Parallax' (4AD)|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/atlas-sound-parallax-4ad|website=Spin|date=November 8, 2011|accessdate=November 8, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022211327/http://www.spin.com/reviews/atlas-sound-parallax-4ad|archivedate=October 22, 2011}}</ref> |
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|rev10= [[Sputnikmusic]] |
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| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' |
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|rev10Score= {{rating|3|5}}<ref name=sputnikmusic>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Robin|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax (staff review) - Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/46442/Atlas-Sound-Parallax/|publisher=Sputnikmusic|accessdate=November 8, 2011}}</ref> |
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| rev10Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name=uncut>{{cite journal|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax|journal=Uncut|issue=176|date=January 2012|page=79}}</ref> |
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''Parallax'' received positive reviews from music critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 82, based on 34 reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim".<ref name= "MC"/> |
''Parallax'' received positive reviews from music critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 82, based on 34 reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim".<ref name= "MC"/> |
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''[[Allmusic]]'' writer Heather Phares awarded the album a grade of four stars out of five, writing: "It's a quietly satisfying album with a determined fragility that makes it all the more moving."<ref name=allmusic/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album three-and-half-stars out of five and noted: "Cox values songwriting ahead of texture these days, and the effort is paying off."<ref name= "RS"/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'''s David Greenwald praised the album's more accessible sound, writing, "It's a brilliant feat: to make a record about distance, Cox has written the most effortlessly approachable music of his career. "<ref name=avclub/> ''[[Popmatters]]'' writer Daniel Tebo gave the album a very positive review and rated it 9 out of 10 and wrote: "It's a fitting conclusion to a near perfect album that finds an artist expanding his musical palate without sacrificing an ounce of himself in the process."<ref name=popmatters/> ''[[musicOMH]]'' writer, Max Raymond called it "Atlas Sound's best album to date" and said: "This is easily the most satisfying and rewarding set of songs that Cox has written in any of his projects and it'll be a tough ask to top it."<ref name=musicomh/> ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' was also positive on the album and said: "Moments of genuine marvel, each one craving its own flowery descriptives, come thick and fast."<ref name=DIS/> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's Marc Hogan gave it a very positive review, writing "A sci-fi tint shifts the perspective from Atlas Sound's usual layered introspection: Inner space now has become outer space."<ref name=spin/> ''[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]'' writer Conrad Tao was also positive on the album and gave it four stars out of five and wrote: "Thankfully, such peeks of inhibition are brief, and Cox spends far more time confidently beckoning us into the glorious world he's created. For the first time, this is a place where we're to be cohabitants, not merely invitees."<ref name=TMT>{{cite web|last=Tao|first=Conrad|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - Music Review - Tiny Mix Tapes|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/atlas-sound-parallax| |
''[[Allmusic]]'' writer Heather Phares awarded the album a grade of four stars out of five, writing: "It's a quietly satisfying album with a determined fragility that makes it all the more moving."<ref name=allmusic/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album three-and-half-stars out of five and noted: "Cox values songwriting ahead of texture these days, and the effort is paying off."<ref name= "RS"/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'''s David Greenwald praised the album's more accessible sound, writing, "It's a brilliant feat: to make a record about distance, Cox has written the most effortlessly approachable music of his career. "<ref name=avclub/> ''[[Popmatters]]'' writer Daniel Tebo gave the album a very positive review and rated it 9 out of 10 and wrote: "It's a fitting conclusion to a near perfect album that finds an artist expanding his musical palate without sacrificing an ounce of himself in the process."<ref name=popmatters>{{cite web|last=Tebo|first=Daniel|title=Atlas Sound: Parallax < PopMatters|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/150833-atlas-sound-parallax/|website=Popmatters|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> ''[[musicOMH]]'' writer, Max Raymond called it "Atlas Sound's best album to date" and said: "This is easily the most satisfying and rewarding set of songs that Cox has written in any of his projects and it'll be a tough ask to top it."<ref name=musicomh>{{cite web|last=Raymond|first=Max|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - album reviews - musicOMH|url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/atlas-sound-2_1111.htm|website=MusicOMH|accessdate=November 7, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' was also positive on the album and said: "Moments of genuine marvel, each one craving its own flowery descriptives, come thick and fast."<ref name=DIS>{{cite web|last=Horner|first=Al|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16626/reviews/4143935|website=Drowned in Sound|accessdate=November 8, 2011|archive-date=November 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105190659/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16626/reviews/4143935|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's Marc Hogan gave it a very positive review, writing "A sci-fi tint shifts the perspective from Atlas Sound's usual layered introspection: Inner space now has become outer space."<ref name=spin/> ''[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]'' writer Conrad Tao was also positive on the album and gave it four stars out of five and wrote: "Thankfully, such peeks of inhibition are brief, and Cox spends far more time confidently beckoning us into the glorious world he's created. For the first time, this is a place where we're to be cohabitants, not merely invitees."<ref name=TMT>{{cite web|last=Tao|first=Conrad|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - Music Review - Tiny Mix Tapes|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/atlas-sound-parallax|website=Tiny Mix Tape|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Loren Auda Poin from ''[[Filter (magazine)|Filter]]'' gave it a positive review with 83% and wrote: "With each Atlas Sound release, the sonic effects become more interwoven, intense and impressive, and truly no one else could be writing these songs the way Cox does."<ref name=filter>{{cite web|last=Auda Poin|first=Loren|title=FILTER Magazine - Reviews - Atlas Sound|url=http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/reviews/entry/atlas_sound1|work=Filter Magazine|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under The Radar]]'' was also positive on the album and rated it 7 out of 10 and wrote: "While too restrained overall to match the tie-dyed brilliance of Logos, Parallax's subtle charms demonstrate that Cox's musical id is still alive and kicking."<ref name=UTR>{{cite web|last=Studarus|first=Laura|title=.. Atlas Sound: Parallax (4AD) - Under The Radar ..|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/parallax_atlas_sound/|website=Under The Radar|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> |
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Several critics noted the album's more consistent sound. ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' magazine described the album as "a more refined listen" compared to ''Logos.''<ref name=clash>{{cite web|last=Younis|first=Reef|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - Clash Music Latest Album Review|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/atlas-sound-parallax| |
Several critics noted the album's more consistent sound. ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' magazine described the album as "a more refined listen" compared to ''Logos.''<ref name=clash>{{cite web|last=Younis|first=Reef|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - Clash Music Latest Album Review|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/atlas-sound-parallax|website=Clash Music|date=9 November 2011 |accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Nick Neyland of ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'' gave the album a "Best New Music" designation, writing "''Parallax'' feels like a more complete work than any other Atlas Sound record, with the differences between the songs less distinct and everything flowing together more naturally."<ref name=pitchfork/> ''No Ripcord'''s Andrew Baer also praised the album's consistency, writing "Cox sounds comfortable and confident, and has made the best solo album of his prolific career."<ref name=noripcord>Baer, Andrew. [http://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/atlas-sound/parallax Atlas Sound: Parallax]. No Ripcord. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.</ref> ''[[BBC]]'' music was called ''Parallax'' "Cox's most coherent record to date," continuing: "it's harder to spotlight individual tracks, but individual settings stand out.<ref name= "BBC">{{cite web|last=Aston|first=Martin|title=BBC - Music - Review of Atlas Sound - Parallax|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/f8x2|work=BBC|accessdate=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Jeremy D. Larson of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' awarded the album with four-and-half-stars out of five and said: "What makes Parallax a fully realized album is, in contrast to its compact musicality, the expanses and voids Cox explores."<ref name=COS>{{cite web|last=Larson|first=Jeremy D.|title=Album Review: Atlas Sound – Parallax|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/11/album-review-atlas-sound-parallax/|website=Consequence of Sound|date=November 11, 2011|accessdate=November 11, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112043238/http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/11/album-review-atlas-sound-parallax/|archivedate=November 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Not all reviews were entirely positive, though. |
Not all reviews were entirely positive, though. Sputnikmusic writer Robin Smith was more ambivalent to the album, writing "Parallax, unrealised masterpiece or not, sounds like the man in his bedroom with a thousand songs to leave unexplained."<ref name=sputnikmusic>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Robin|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax (staff review) - Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/46442/Atlas-Sound-Parallax/|website=Sputnikmusic|accessdate=November 8, 2011}}</ref> Jonathan Donaldson of [[The Phoenix (newspaper)|The Phoenix]] wrote "Yet even when relying less on atmospheric synths and playing with a full-band set up ("The Shakes"), Parallax misses early rock's tautness and grit."<ref name=thephoenix>{{cite web|last=Donaldson|first=Jonathan|title=Atlas Sound - Parallax - CD Reviews|url=http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/129516-atlas-sound-parallax/|work=The Phoenix|accessdate=November 9, 2011}}</ref> Daniel Becker of Dusted Reviews felt the album was "sparer than usual, flimsier, subtler," writing "These songs aren’t weighty enough, individually or cumulatively, to leave an imprint — they fail to make a world out of themselves, leaving instead snatches of place, time of day, lighting conditions."<ref name=dustedmag>Becker, Daniel. [http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6796 Atlas Sound - Parallax]. Dusted Reviews. Retrieved 11 November 2011.</ref> |
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''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'' placed the album at number 18 on its list of the "Top 50 albums of 2011".<ref>{{cite web | url= |
''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]'' placed the album at number 18 on its list of the "Top 50 albums of 2011".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/4/ | title=Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2011 | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=December 15, 2011 | accessdate=January 8, 2012 | archive-date=January 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107160407/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8727-the-top-50-albums-of-2011/4/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
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{{track listing |
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{{tracklist |
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|all_writing = [[Bradford Cox]] |
|all_writing = [[Bradford Cox]] |
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|title1=The Shakes |
|title1=The Shakes |
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{{track listing |
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{{tracklist |
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|collapsed = yes |
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| headline = Japanese bonus tracks |
| headline = Japanese bonus tracks |
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|title13= Quark Part 1 |
|title13= Quark Part 1 |
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==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
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Credits adapted from ''Allmusic'':<ref name=credits>[ |
Credits adapted from ''Allmusic'':<ref name=credits>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/parallax-r2300685/credits Parallax - Credits]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved 10 November 2011.</ref> |
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{{col-begin}} |
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* Bradford Cox - [[Electric bass]], [[Collage]], [[Drums]], [[Guitar]], [[Acoustic guitar]], [[Electric guitar]], [[Instrumentation (music)|Instrumentation]], [[Keyboard instrument|Keyboards]], [[Organ (music)|Organ]], [[Percussion]], [[Piano]], Rhythm Box, [[Music sequencer|Sequencers]], [[Synthesizer]], [[Synthesizer bass]], Tapes, [[Telecaster]], Treatments, Vocal Drone, Vocals, [[Wurlitzer]] |
* Bradford Cox - [[Electric bass]], [[Collage]], [[Drums]], [[Guitar]], [[Acoustic guitar]], [[Electric guitar]], [[Instrumentation (music)|Instrumentation]], [[Keyboard instrument|Keyboards]], [[Organ (music)|Organ]], [[Percussion]], [[Piano]], Rhythm Box, [[Music sequencer|Sequencers]], [[Synthesizer]], [[Synthesizer bass]], Tapes, [[Telecaster]], Treatments, Vocal Drone, Vocals, [[Wurlitzer]] |
||
* Paul McPherson - [[Cabasa]], [[Hi-hat (instrument)|Hi-hat]], [[Wood block]] |
* Paul McPherson - [[Cabasa]], [[Hi-hat (instrument)|Hi-hat]], [[Woodblock (instrument)|Wood block]] |
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* Carrie-Anne Murphy - [[Saxophone]] |
* Carrie-Anne Murphy - [[Saxophone]] |
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* [[Andrew VanWyngarden]] - Organ, Piano, Vocals (Background) |
* [[Andrew VanWyngarden]] - Organ, Piano, Vocals (Background) |
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| U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="AM charts">{{cite web |
| U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="AM charts">{{cite web |
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| url = |
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/parallax-r2300685/charts-awards |
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| title = Parallax - Atlas Sound - Music Charts - AllMusic |
| title = Parallax - Atlas Sound - Music Charts - AllMusic |
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| website = [[AllMusic]] |
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| accessdate = 24 November 2011}}</ref> |
| accessdate = 24 November 2011}}</ref> |
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[[Category:2011 albums]] |
[[Category:2011 albums]] |
Latest revision as of 00:13, 2 October 2023
Parallax | ||||
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![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 7 November 2011 | |||
Recorded | June 2011 at Rare Book Room Studios, Brooklyn, NY | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 48:32 | |||
Label | 4AD | |||
Producer | Bradford Cox, Nicolas Vernhes | |||
Atlas Sound chronology | ||||
|
Parallax is the third studio album from Bradford Cox's solo project Atlas Sound, released November 7, 2011 on 4AD. The album debuted at #97 on the Billboard 200 and has received critical acclaim.[3][4]
Album title
[edit]After Parallax was recorded, Bradford Cox was forced to continue touring with Deerhunter, which ended up being so stressful for Cox that it caused him to have a nervous breakdown.[5] Cox related album's title to his lifestyle, saying:
It's all about parallax, man. Five years for one person is 20 for another, you know? It's like, if a car is coming towards you down a highway and you're going towards it, it's like this distortion of how fast things go by. And I guess my time as a musician has gone by so fast that I realized that I have no personal life. The other guys in Deerhunter, they all found things. And I just have monomania.[5]
Recording
[edit]Production duties were handled by Cox and previous Deerhunter producer Nicolas Vernhes. The album was assembled at the end of a Deerhunter tour and was mostly recorded at Nicholas Vernhes' studio, Rare Book Room Studios in Brooklyn, NY.[5][6][7] Two of the album's tracks ("Flagstaff" and "Terra Incognita") were recorded by Cox himself in his hotel room at the Ace Hotel in New York as a result of limited studio time.[8] 4AD also launched a website, depicting an image of Cox in Manhattan's Central Park, similar to the artwork of his two previous releases, his face is obscured by a lens flare. The website lists the genre as "Science Fiction."[9] Cox dedicated the album to the late Trish Keenan of Broadcast, who had died earlier in 2011.[7]
The artwork features a photograph of Bradford Cox taken by Mick Rock, who had previously shot photographs for albums such as Raw Power, The Madcap Laughs, and Transformer.[10] Cox met Rock through Michael Stipe and the two quickly became friends. The cover's artwork was meant to reflect the influence classic rock and rock and roll had on Cox when he recorded the album.[7][11] Unlike previous Atlas Sound album covers, Parallax's cover did not feature faces obscured by a lens flare. By not covering his face with a flare, Cox felt that the album cover effectively conveyed the loneliness he experienced creating the album.[7]
Release
[edit]The album was announced on August 24, 2011.[10] Prior the album's release, more than half the album's songs were made officially available for streaming and/or download. Two demos of "Mona Lisa" were originally released on the third volume of the Bedroom Databank series that Cox had released on the Deerhunter blog in 2010.[12][13] "Te Amo," (originally known as "Untitled") and "Flagstaff" have appeared in live Atlas Sound sets for about a year.[14]
"Terra Incognita" was the first track available to coincide with the album's announcement. "Te Amo," "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs," "Amplifiers," "The Shakes," "Lightworks," "Praying Man," and "Flagstaff," all followed. Some were made exclusively available through websites such as the online retailer Amazon,[15] radio station KEXP's blog[16] and music blogs Gorilla vs. Bear[17] and Fluxblog. On November 2, 2011, the whole album was streamed on the New York Times website.[18]
"Parallax," the album's first single, was released on October 24, 2011. It was backed with the b-side "Oh, Ricky."[19]
Reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 8.1/10[20] |
Metacritic | 82/100[4] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The A.V. Club | A−[22] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mojo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 8/10[25] |
Pitchfork | 8.7/10[26] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin | 9/10[28] |
Uncut | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Parallax received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 82, based on 34 reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim".[4]
Allmusic writer Heather Phares awarded the album a grade of four stars out of five, writing: "It's a quietly satisfying album with a determined fragility that makes it all the more moving."[21] Rolling Stone gave the album three-and-half-stars out of five and noted: "Cox values songwriting ahead of texture these days, and the effort is paying off."[1] The A.V. Club's David Greenwald praised the album's more accessible sound, writing, "It's a brilliant feat: to make a record about distance, Cox has written the most effortlessly approachable music of his career. "[22] Popmatters writer Daniel Tebo gave the album a very positive review and rated it 9 out of 10 and wrote: "It's a fitting conclusion to a near perfect album that finds an artist expanding his musical palate without sacrificing an ounce of himself in the process."[30] musicOMH writer, Max Raymond called it "Atlas Sound's best album to date" and said: "This is easily the most satisfying and rewarding set of songs that Cox has written in any of his projects and it'll be a tough ask to top it."[31] Drowned in Sound was also positive on the album and said: "Moments of genuine marvel, each one craving its own flowery descriptives, come thick and fast."[32] Spin magazine's Marc Hogan gave it a very positive review, writing "A sci-fi tint shifts the perspective from Atlas Sound's usual layered introspection: Inner space now has become outer space."[28] Tiny Mix Tapes writer Conrad Tao was also positive on the album and gave it four stars out of five and wrote: "Thankfully, such peeks of inhibition are brief, and Cox spends far more time confidently beckoning us into the glorious world he's created. For the first time, this is a place where we're to be cohabitants, not merely invitees."[2] Loren Auda Poin from Filter gave it a positive review with 83% and wrote: "With each Atlas Sound release, the sonic effects become more interwoven, intense and impressive, and truly no one else could be writing these songs the way Cox does."[33] Under The Radar was also positive on the album and rated it 7 out of 10 and wrote: "While too restrained overall to match the tie-dyed brilliance of Logos, Parallax's subtle charms demonstrate that Cox's musical id is still alive and kicking."[34]
Several critics noted the album's more consistent sound. Clash magazine described the album as "a more refined listen" compared to Logos.[35] Nick Neyland of Pitchfork gave the album a "Best New Music" designation, writing "Parallax feels like a more complete work than any other Atlas Sound record, with the differences between the songs less distinct and everything flowing together more naturally."[26] No Ripcord's Andrew Baer also praised the album's consistency, writing "Cox sounds comfortable and confident, and has made the best solo album of his prolific career."[36] BBC music was called Parallax "Cox's most coherent record to date," continuing: "it's harder to spotlight individual tracks, but individual settings stand out.[37] Jeremy D. Larson of Consequence of Sound awarded the album with four-and-half-stars out of five and said: "What makes Parallax a fully realized album is, in contrast to its compact musicality, the expanses and voids Cox explores."[38]
Not all reviews were entirely positive, though. Sputnikmusic writer Robin Smith was more ambivalent to the album, writing "Parallax, unrealised masterpiece or not, sounds like the man in his bedroom with a thousand songs to leave unexplained."[39] Jonathan Donaldson of The Phoenix wrote "Yet even when relying less on atmospheric synths and playing with a full-band set up ("The Shakes"), Parallax misses early rock's tautness and grit."[40] Daniel Becker of Dusted Reviews felt the album was "sparer than usual, flimsier, subtler," writing "These songs aren’t weighty enough, individually or cumulatively, to leave an imprint — they fail to make a world out of themselves, leaving instead snatches of place, time of day, lighting conditions."[41]
Pitchfork placed the album at number 18 on its list of the "Top 50 albums of 2011".[42]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Bradford Cox
No. | Titel | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Shakes" | 2:57 |
2. | "Amplifiers" | 2:49 |
3. | "Te Amo" | 4:14 |
4. | "Parallax" | 2:46 |
5. | "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs" | 4:09 |
6. | "Mona Lisa (feat. Andrew VanWyngarden)" | 3:06 |
7. | "Praying Man" | 2:48 |
8. | "Doldrums" | 4:35 |
9. | "Angel Is Broken" | 4:58 |
10. | "Terra Incognita" | 6:25 |
11. | "Flagstaff" | 5:54 |
12. | "Lightworks" | 3:56 |
No. | Titel | Length |
---|---|---|
13. | "Quark Part 1" | 7:47 |
14. | "Quark Part 2" | 2:42 |
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Allmusic:[43]
|
|
Charts
[edit]Chart (2011) | Peak position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard 200[44] | 97 |
U.S. Independent Albums[44] | 17 |
U.S. Top Rock Albums[44] | 20 |
U.S. Top Alternative Albums[44] | 13 |
External links
[edit]- 4AD Parallax Website
- Parallax at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Vozick-Levinson, Simon (November 8, 2011). "Parallax". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ a b Tao, Conrad. "Atlas Sound - Parallax - Music Review - Tiny Mix Tapes". Tiny Mix Tape. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Parallax - Atlas Sound. Billboard.com. Retrieved 18 November 2011
- ^ a b c "Reviews for Parallax by Atlas Sound". Metacritic. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c Perpetua, Matthew. Bradford Cox Talks Nervous Breakdown, New Atlas Sound Album. Rolling Stone. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ Parallax by Atlas Sound. 4AD. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d Fitzmaurice, Larry. Interviews: Bradford Cox. Pitchfork Media. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Walters, Carrie. CMJ 2011: Atlas Sound @ Ace Hotel Archived 2012-01-20 at the Wayback Machine. WVAU.org. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Atlas Sound - Parallax. 4AD. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Larry. Atlas Sound Announces New Album. Pitchfork Media. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ Atlas Sound's New Record, Parallax, Released Today. 4AD. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ ATLAS SOUND: BEDROOM DATABANK VOL. 3. Blogspot. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2011
- ^ Katzif, Michael. Atlas Sound: A Pop Gem, At Long Last. NPR. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ Atlas Sound: February 3, 2010 Bell House – Flac and MP3 Downloads. nyctaper.com. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ Muir, Ryan. Atlas Sound – “Flagstaff”. Stereogum. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ Beckmann, Jim. New Atlas Sound track: “Praying Man” world premiere!. KEXP. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ Atlas Sound – “Modern Aquatic Nightsongs”. Gorilla vs. Bear. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ Brown, Jacob. Now Playing | ‘Parallax,’ the New Album by Atlas Sound. New York Times. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011
- ^ Parallax/Oh Ricky by Atlas Sound. 4AD. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Parallax by Atlas Sound reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Parallax – Atlas Sound". AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Greenwald, David (November 8, 2011). "Atlas Sound: Parallax". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ Costa, Maddy (November 17, 2011). "Atlas Sound: Parallax – review". The Guardian. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- ^ "Atlas Sound: Parallax". Mojo (217): 99. December 2011.
- ^ Catling, Simon Jay (November 18, 2011). "Album Review: Atlas Sound – 'Parallax'". NME. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- ^ a b Neyland, Nick (November 7, 2011). "Atlas Sound: Parallax". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ "Atlas Sound: Parallax". Q (305): 123. December 2011.
- ^ a b Hogan, Marc (November 8, 2011). "Atlas Sound, 'Parallax' (4AD)". Spin. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ "Atlas Sound: Parallax". Uncut (176): 79. January 2012.
- ^ Tebo, Daniel. "Atlas Sound: Parallax < PopMatters". Popmatters. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Raymond, Max. "Atlas Sound - Parallax - album reviews - musicOMH". MusicOMH. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ Horner, Al. "Atlas Sound - Parallax / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ Auda Poin, Loren. "FILTER Magazine - Reviews - Atlas Sound". Filter Magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Studarus, Laura. ".. Atlas Sound: Parallax (4AD) - Under The Radar ." Under The Radar. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Younis, Reef (9 November 2011). "Atlas Sound - Parallax - Clash Music Latest Album Review". Clash Music. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Baer, Andrew. Atlas Sound: Parallax. No Ripcord. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
- ^ Aston, Martin. "BBC - Music - Review of Atlas Sound - Parallax". BBC. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Larson, Jeremy D. (November 11, 2011). "Album Review: Atlas Sound – Parallax". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- ^ Smith, Robin. "Atlas Sound - Parallax (staff review) - Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
- ^ Donaldson, Jonathan. "Atlas Sound - Parallax - CD Reviews". The Phoenix. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ^ Becker, Daniel. Atlas Sound - Parallax. Dusted Reviews. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2011". Pitchfork. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Parallax - Credits. Allmusic. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Parallax - Atlas Sound - Music Charts - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 November 2011.