The tour comes as a celebration of the completion of Hospice, the first full-length The Antlers have completed since Peter Silberman chose to transform his solo endeavor into a full band. (Previously, "The Antlers" referred solely to Silberman's solo work, which included 2007's In the Attic of the Universe.)

The new release marks a maturing of The Antlers' sound. Whereas In the Attic of the Universe traded on sweet melodies and lullaby-like subtlety, Hospice skews much darker and much more poignant. Silberman's eye for nuance is still as sharp, but the benefit of his supporting musicians, and intensely personal subject matter allow Hospice to become a deeper and more fleshed-out journey than its predecessor. The result is at once engaging, unsettling, and moving.