Hamilton Leithauser This Side Of The Island
Hamilton Leithauser's This Side of the Island stakes a claim as a sun-splashed, theatrically driven rock record that often thrills more in moments than as a sustained whole. Across professional reviews, critics point to muscular vignettes and energetic vocals as the album's chief strengths, even as scattershot production and a conservative approach to innovation temper enthusiasm.
The critical consensus earned a 66/100 across five professional reviews, with reviewers consistently praising standout tracks such as “Knockin' Heart”, “Fist of Flowers” and “Burn the Boats”. Critics celebrated Leithauser's ragged charisma and lyrical specificity: “Knockin' Heart” is frequently cited for its roaring guitar and obsessive yearning, “Fist of Flowers” pairs theatrical narrative with memorable hooks, and “Burn the Boats” channels the record's loud, faster moments into visceral payoff. Reviewers also noted recurring seaside and family-inflected images, danceable grooves, and organic instrumentation that lend the collection a homespun, summery energy.
Yet opinions diverge enough to mark the record as mixed rather than unanimous praise. Some critics admire the album's confident vocal performances and vivid storytelling, while others find Dessner-style, kitchen-sink touches leave certain songs overstuffed and the album uneven. For listeners asking whether This Side of the Island is worth seeking out, the consensus suggests the answer is yes for those drawn to theatrical, voice-forward rock and the best songs on the record; the full experience rewards selective listening rather than wholehearted devotion.
This summary precedes in-depth reviews below that unpack how these themes—nostalgia, seaside vignettes, vocal prowess and occasional scattershot production—play out across the album's notable tracks and arrangements.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Knockin' Heart
5 mentions
"It finds a besotted and yearning individual, trying desperately to get his message of love across"— PopMatters
Fist of Flowers
4 mentions
"The track incorporates core-shaking drums, saloon-style piano, and nimble wordplay."— PopMatters
This Side of the Island
4 mentions
""This side of the island is built out of trash / Our love and our city were built to collapse.""— PopMatters
It finds a besotted and yearning individual, trying desperately to get his message of love across
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Fist of Flowers
Burn the Boats
Ocean Roar
Knockin' Heart
What Do I Think?
Off the Beach
I Was Right
Happy Lights
This Side of the Island
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 7 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Hamilton Leithauser’s This Side of the Island finds its best songs in muscular, character-driven vignettes like “Fist of Flowers” and “Knockin' Heart”. The reviewer leans into the album’s beachside, doomed-lover imagery and picks out “Burn the Boats” and “Off the Beach” as exemplars of its ragged charisma and occasional overstuffed production. There’s praise for Leithauser’s vocal commitment and Dessner’s kitchen-sink touches, even as the record feels scattershot at times. Overall, the best tracks on This Side of the Island are those that channel rough, emotional storytelling into big, memorable hooks.
Key Points
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The best song is the opener “Fist of Flowers” because it 'comes out swinging' and benefits from a rollicking backing-vocal refrain.
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The album’s core strengths are Leithauser’s ragged charisma, vivid character vignettes, and bold, often large-scale production touches.
Themes
Critic's Take
Hamilton Leithauser never entirely abandons his signature rasp on This Side of the Island, but the record often favors homespun charm over the rawer thrills fans might expect. The reviewer finds the album’s louder, faster moments - particularly “Burn the Boats” - where Leithauser’s presence truly shines, while “Knockin' Heart” and “Happy Lights” offer understated, up-tempo grooves that invite repeat listens. There is praise for the seasoned confidence in his delivery, even as the record lacks daring new musical explorations. Overall, the best songs on This Side of the Island are those that let his energetic vocals cut loose rather than retreat into comfortable rambling.
Key Points
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The best song, "Burn the Boats", is where Leithauser’s soulful, energetic vocals and presence most clearly shine.
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The album’s core strengths are its energetic vocals, pleasant melodies, and homespun, up-tempo grooves rather than daring experimentation.
Themes
Critic's Take
Hamilton Leithauser’s This Side of the Island lives and breathes in its best songs, particularly “Fist of Flowers”, “Burn the Boats” and “Knockin' Heart”. The reviewer's voice celebrates the album’s striking vocals and inventive instrumentation, noting how those first two tracks form one of the best one-two punches in his catalogue. The tenderness and menace of “Knockin' Heart” - roaring guitar and hammering drums underscoring a borderline-obsessive yearning - mark it as a centerpiece. Overall the best tracks on This Side of the Island showcase Leithauser’s knack for catchy melodies, powerful rhythmic cadence, and refreshingly singular arrangements.
Key Points
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The opener pair “Fist of Flowers” and “Burn the Boats” form the album’s strongest moments, combining bold vocals and memorable hooks.
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The album’s core strength is inventive, meticulous instrumentation paired with Leithauser’s commanding vocals and lyrical wordplay.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Hamilton Leithauser’s This Side of the Island is the record that insists you turn up the volume and feel something physical, and the best tracks prove it. The ferocious “Knockin' Heart” and the grand finale “This Side of the Island” are bona fide standouts, belting with blood-and-guts bravado and cinematic prose respectively. Elsewhere, summery anthems like “Fist of Flowers” and the experimental “I Was Right” keep the momentum, sewing together seaside reflection with theatrical punch. In short, the best songs on This Side of the Island deliver visceral rock 'n' roll thrills and vocal fireworks that justify the fuss.
Key Points
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“Knockin' Heart” is the best song for its raw, adrenalising power and Walkmen-level ferocity.
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The album’s core strengths are Leithauser’s commanding vocals, theatrical arrangements, and sun-soaked, seaside moods.
Themes
Critic's Take
Hamilton Leithauser's This Side of the Island finds its best moments in songs that marry danceable groove with his trademark organic touch, notably “Knockin' Heart” and the title track. The reviewer's tone is admiring and conversational, emphasizing how the record leans into beat-forward arrangements while keeping punchy drums and warm instrumentation intact. Praise centers on Leithauser's knack for lyrical specificity - the single “Knockin' Heart” is singled out for balancing the personal and universal. Overall the piece frames the best songs on This Side of the Island as those that update his sound without losing his essential voice.
Key Points
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The best song is “Knockin' Heart” for its lyrical balance and singled-out status.
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The album's core strengths are its danceable, groove-heavy production paired with Leithauser's organic instrumentation and sharp lyrics.