#94- Untrue: Burial

Is This The Worst So Far?

Album: Untrue
Artist: Burial
Rank: 94 on Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums of All Time
Rating: 4/10

As we continue our journey through Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums of All Time, we arrive at number 94: Untrue by Burial. This album is often hailed as a masterpiece in the dubstep and electronic music genres, but it certainly isn’t for everyone. Here’s my track-by-track breakdown of this unconventional album.

Untitled

Opening with an unnamed track, Untrue sets the tone with a haunting, atmospheric soundscape. While it establishes Burial’s style, it doesn’t do much to grab my attention. 4/10

Archangel

I’ve never been able to get into dubstep and electronic music, and if this first song is any indication of the album, I still won’t. The repetitive beats and melancholic vibe just don’t resonate with me. 4/10

Near Dark

Trying to be objective and open-minded, I found that “Near Dark” suffers from the same issue: a repetitive beat with slight variations. It’s the same thing over and over, which gets monotonous quickly. 4/10

Ghost Hardware

“Ghost Hardware” doesn’t bring much new to the table. Halfway through the song, there’s a brief 10-second beat change, but otherwise, it feels like the same 10 seconds on repeat. 4/10

Endorphin

With a name like “Endorphin,” I expected something upbeat, but instead, it’s more of the same. A single sequence repeated for three minutes. It’s not unlistenable, but it doesn’t engage me either. 1/10

Etched Headplate

This track surprised me with its mix of bass and rhythmic flow. It stood out from the rest of the album, and I actually didn’t mind it. I would willingly listen to it again. 6/10

In McDonalds

I like the backtrack vocals on this one. It’s short and sweet, providing a brief respite from the otherwise repetitive nature of the album. 5/10

Untrue

The title track does something interesting with its beat, intentionally missing a beat to throw it off, which ends up making it all on-beat in a rhythmic fashion. It’s creative, but it doesn’t do much for me. 2/10

Shell of Light

“Shell of Light” has a beat that slowly picks up, with a nice ebb and flow. There’s a pleasant switch-up towards the end of the song, making it slightly more engaging. 4/10

Dog Shelter

Much of Burial’s music is very cinematic, like I could see it used in IMAX ocean movies. “Dog Shelter” fits this mold perfectly. His music doesn’t sound bad; it just doesn’t do anything for me. 4/10

Homeless

This track is grittier and darker than a lot of the others. It’s a good song with a distinct atmosphere. 5/10

UK

I wish “UK” was a little longer. It felt like it was setting up something epic, and then it was over. The potential was there, but it didn’t quite deliver. 4/10

Raver

By the time we reach “Raver,” I’ve tried to rid myself of all biases and just listen to the music. Despite my best efforts, this track still feels underwhelming. 3/10

Final Thoughts

Untrue by Burial is an album that has been praised for its innovative approach to electronic music. While I appreciate the creativity and unique sound, it just doesn’t resonate with me. The repetitive beats and melancholic atmosphere might appeal to some, but for me, it falls short.

Stay tuned as we continue our countdown through Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums of All Time. Next up, we’ll be diving into another critically acclaimed album. What will it be? You’ll have to wait and see!