The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are The Ghost Nation
The Besnard Lakes's The Besnard Lakes Are The Ghost Nation unfolds as a widescreen space-rock statement that rewards patience, earning a 70/100 consensus score across one professional review. Critics note the record's patient buildup and textural layering from the opening bars, with “Calling Ghostly Nations” and “Carried It All Around” serving as methodical warm-ups for the album's more ecstatic moments.
Reviewers praise the band's epic harmonies and careful production choices, particularly on “Chemin de la Baie”, which emerges as the album's early peak thanks to seasick vibrato, squiggly keyboards and Jace Lasek's triumphant falsetto. The closing “Give Us Our Dominion” supplies baroque filigree and a sense of resolution that reviewers say rounds out the record's slow-burn grandeur. Across the review, the collection's textural layering and gradual crescendos are singled out as the primary strengths.
While the critical reception is measured rather than rapturous, the consensus suggests The Besnard Lakes Are The Ghost Nation will appeal to listeners drawn to expansive arrangements and patient, hymn-like builds; for those searching for the best songs on the album, “Chemin de la Baie”, “Carried It All Around” and “Give Us Our Dominion” are repeatedly highlighted. The review below offers a closer look at how these tracks and the album's widescreen approach fit within the band's catalog.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Chemin de la Baie
1 mention
"The band reaches an early peak on “Chemin de la Baie.”"— Dusted Magazine
Carried It All Around
1 mention
"“Carried It All Around” presents another long intro and cements their signature sound"— Dusted Magazine
Give Us Our Dominion
1 mention
"The band brings it home on “Give Us Our Dominion,” with baroque guitar filigrees"— Dusted Magazine
The band reaches an early peak on “Chemin de la Baie.”
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Calling Ghostly Nations
Chemin de la Baie
Carried It All Around
In Hollywood
Pontiac Spirits
Battle Lines
The Clouds Are Casting Shadows from the Sunlight
Give Us Our Dominion
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
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Critic's Take
The Besnard Lakes approach The Besnard Lakes Are The Ghost Nation with their usual patience, layering guitars and synths until songs take flight. The review singles out “Chemin de la Baie” as an early peak, praising its seasick vibrato, squiggly keyboard and Lasek's triumphant falsetto as the record's clearest payoff. Opener “Calling Ghostly Nations” and “Carried It All Around” are framed as effective warm-ups that establish the band’s signature slow-burn grandeur. The closing “Give Us Our Dominion” provides baroque filigree and a sense of resolution that rounds out the album.
Key Points
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“Chemin de la Baie” is best because it crystallizes the band’s patient buildup into a triumphant, melodic payoff.
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The album’s core strengths are patient layering, widescreen space-rock textures, and well-crafted harmonies that reward slow immersion.