Arm's Way is the second studio album by Montreal-based indie rock band Islands. It was released on May 20, 2008, on CD and download. The album's title is a play on the words "harm's way". The album leaked online on April 11, 2008.Arm's Way leak thread, on The Secret Unicorns Forum
Concept and production Drummer Aaron Harris outlined the album's concept and the band's songwriting approach thus: We took a different approach with this album in that the music is focused on the band members – there are not any special appearances. Arm's was conceived in Montreal, we wrote the songs in a room with old NOFX and Insane Clown Posse posters on the wall. As a band we put the music together and then singer Nick Thorburn wrote the lyrics.
Music The musical style of Arm's Way represents a departure from the Graceland-inspired sound of debut album Return to the Sea. Rebecca Raber of Pitchfork writes, "Gone are the guest rappers, the acoustic nuevo-country twang, and the sunny Afro-Caribbean flourishes ... In their place are theatrical string arrangements, layers of silvery, minor-key guitars, and lots of gothy synthesizers." Most lyrics include references to death and violence, themes which are shared with frontman Nick Thorburn's previous project The Unicorns.
Track listing
Personnel Adapted from AllMusic. Patrice Agbokou – bass Rebecca Bird – artwork Doug Boehm – mixing Greg Calbi – mastering Alex Chow – percussion, synthesizer, viola, violin Sebastian Chow – oboe, piano, violin, vocals Chris Constable – mixing assistant Corn Gangg – drum programming Steve Fallone – mastering Patrick Gregoire – bass clarinet, guitar Ryan Hadlock – engineer, producer Aaron Harris – drums, percussion, vocals Islands – arranger, primary artist, producer Mathieu Roberge – assistant engineer Rob Schnapf – mixing Nick Thorburn – guitar, vocals Alexander Wagner – photography
References