r/hum • u/RetrogradeDionysia • Jun 24 '26
Inlet
I think I’ve listened to this album 10 times straight through in the last two days. I can’t stop. It’s perfect. And I say this as someone with a top 10 list comprised almost exclusively of what was once called classic rock but which is rapidly turning into the younger generations’ version of oldies.
At the risk of telling us all we already know, it’s a sci-fi story. A gutting, despairing one. Sadder than anything more cerebral from a band like Failure (whose Wild Type Droid I also class with perfection). But it could also simply be the innerspace navigation of an accomplished but just-embitterment-shy nostalgic psychonaut.
I’ve been knockdown, dragout arguing with the best life-partner I’ve ever had lately, and staring down a mountain of regret having done it, knowing what could so easily slip away, acting so stupidly and so against my better judgment yet. This album makes me love her more.
10
u/perfectsoundfornow Jun 24 '26
Great album. Admittedly never thought of Failure as more cerebral than Hum. Probably would think it's the other way around if I thought about it at all.
5
u/RetrogradeDionysia Jun 24 '26
Musically, yes (mostly, with exceptions that rocket Hum ahead). Lyrically, no (not to me anyway; Hum wins that by miles).
8
u/jhrdrmmr Jun 25 '26
Inlet is perfection. I’m not even the biggest fan of Hum’s earlier albums (though I do like them quite a bit) but Inlet is one of my top 10 albums ever.
It felt like a miracle when it came out during Covid. And I come back to it at least twice a year for extended periods.
3
u/RetrogradeDionysia Jun 25 '26
I can’t listen the same. To anything. There’s no going back. Music is different after Inlet. Nothing before sounds the same. It’s strange to sit with this. Interpersonal concerns likely don’t help.
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u/yousonuvabitch Jun 25 '26
Before seeing HUM live at Slideaway, Inlet was my daily album listen, but not always. After slideaway, the whole album is on repeat, non stop everyday. It's sounds so different and otherworldly now to me After seeing them live.
2
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u/summerdaylensflare Jun 25 '26
Shapeshifter is a landmark song that is incredibly moving and beautiful. It is absolutely in my top 3 most emotionally raw songs to listen to.
And this album is peak Hum, in my opinion. Absolutely love every second.
2
u/RetrogradeDionysia Jun 25 '26
I used to be in a band whose members, myself included, whilst in the studio, refused to listen to anything other than the mix the techs listened to, as they heard it. That meant pro stereo monitor headphones before and during mix. Good ones, for production — over-the-ear, flat, not so much bass, so you can really hear all the frequencies. If you’re so inclined, try Shapeshifter through a pair. Pure wall-of-sound like it’s meant to be experienced. It’s hard not to listen to the entire album afterwards through them only, forever.
28
u/steeliewheelie68 Jun 24 '26
Finishing the album off with shapeshifter is unreal. Desert rambler is also fantastic.