It's not so much that it's "bad," per se, it's just pointless. They've done everything on that record better already. Post-rock was new(ish) when they hit the scene, and to hear so little growth is a little disconcerting. My Father, My King was great; Happy Songs was at the very least emblematic of good post-rock. I hate the cliché, but they're treading water with Mr. Beast.
I like the new Mogwai record, but I agree with leland. In all of their catalog it certainly seems weak, especially after the Sabbathy middle section of Happy Songs. There are so many bands out there doing this better than Mogwai now that I end up expecting better from Mogwai themselves. It's certainly their most concise record and for some maybe that's what they want/need. As for me I'll take "Like Herod" and "Ex-Cowboy" over the newer stuff.
To whomever mentioned Two Gallants, I'd agree. Pitchfork tore it a new ***hole, but frankly, for me, it's easily the best album of the year. I think his voice needs a little getting used to, and I think some have to get over their Saddle Creek-phobia, but I think it's easily terrific.
I also still haven't seen much pub for the Lashes, but anyone who likes Hot Hot Heat ought to pick this album up. Outstanding Pop Songs.
Posts: 9 | Location: Durham, New Hampshire | Registered: 13 July 2005
Originally posted by WrenFGun: I also still haven't seen much pub for the Lashes, but anyone who likes Hot Hot Heat ought to pick this album up. Outstanding Pop Songs.
Agreed. Get It is a favorite of mine this year. PopMatters beat it up pretty thoroughly. I've not really noticed many other reviews.
Now Playing: "Edit" Regina Spektor Begin to Hope
Posts: 1584 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: 23 May 2004
I enjoyed the Brave and the Bold with Tortoise and Bonnie, but it got crapped on by the critics. Some of the songs definitely fail as covers and as songs, but others are really good (Thunder Road, Love is Love). It's also nice to hear Bonnie Billy sing some non-depressing songs. It'll probably make my end of year list.
Posts: 305 | Location: AVA | Registered: 24 June 2006
I'm really liking Hope of the States new album. However it hasnt been getting too great of reviews (as of now 59 on Metacritic). It hasnt been released in the US yet though, so it hasnt been reviewed that much.
Posts: 3 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 June 2006
I was hoping the new lisa germano would fair well. I haven't heard it yet but I trust her to deliver (and she's on young god now!). The metacritic verdict doesn't look so good though...
The Trials of Van Occupanther, by Midlake. It's one of my favorite albums of the year (it was just released in the United States today, but they've made the entire album available on MTV.com, and it's now streaming on the AOL Listening Party). But Pitchforkmedia just gave it an underwhelming -- and undeserved -- 6.8.
Oh, well. It's a great album, filled with outstanding songs like "Roscoe," "Young Brides," "Bandits," "Head Home," and "We Gathered In Spring," and it's well-worth checking out, Pitchfork notwithstanding.
It seems like no one still cares about AFI just because they're popular with punk-style teenz. Just download "the missing frame" and "37mm" and maybe some of you will change their mind about that band.
The Return of Dr. Octagon deserves much better reviews than what it's mostly gotten. It's not a real sequel to the original, and it may be a bootleg, but it's the best Keith album in years, no joke. I actually like One Watt Sun's production. It gives the record more sense of motion than most of the Keith albums have.
Rap purists will hate it, no doubt. I think it's a top 10 of 2006 contender. but what do I know.
the Babyshambles Album "Down in Albion" received some very poor reviews. Metacritic ended up giving it 53. However I cant help thinking critics are reviewing Pete Doherty's media profile (a spoiled prat) rather than the music.
Sometimes this music clicks and it is awesome. It is not even, and it is messy, but messiness in music hasnt normally distracted critics.
Posts: 41 | Location: Australia | Registered: 30 August 2006
Drum's Not Dead and Silent Shout should be the albums of the year, if you ask me. 78 and 74, respectively. Both would have been higher if it hadn't been for one publication giving a 10/100.
Posts: 245 | Location: Iowa City | Registered: 15 June 2006
Originally posted by stereo: Drum's Not Dead and Silent Shout should be the albums of the year, if you ask me. 78 and 74, respectively. Both would have been higher if it hadn't been for one publication giving a 10/100.
I wouldn't really catagorize the reception of those two records as poor or middling, though. Plus, the reviews of 10/100 probably don't affect the Drum's Not Dead metascore a whole lot since it has around 30 scores. It might be an 80 without it. It does affect the Silent Shout score more since it has less reviews. Even without these scores, though, they still wouldn't be at the top of 2006 Metacritic list.
Posts: 1376 | Location: Valparaiso, IN | Registered: 01 July 2006
Critical reviews of the self-titled second record by Razorlight have been bad (currently a 56 at Metacritic) with only Q (whose credibility is always questioned on these Forums) giving it a rave, and with Stylus and Pitchfork calling it a big, steaming turd. Personally, I enjoy it for the same reasons I enjoy Hard-Fi: it's guitar-driven pop with some danceable hooks and clever (but not cutesy or precious) lyrics and concepts.
As a genre, Britpop tends to get bad critical evaluations. Many of the records I own (and like) that are on the Worst Rated list at Metacritic are Britpop records.
Posts: 3875 | Location: ATL, GA | Registered: 25 May 2004
Originally posted by stereo: Drum's Not Dead and Silent Shout should be the albums of the year, if you ask me. 78 and 74, respectively. Both would have been higher if it hadn't been for one publication giving a 10/100.
I wouldn't really catagorize the reception of those two records as poor or middling, though. Plus, the reviews of 10/100 probably don't affect the Drum's Not Dead metascore a whole lot since it has around 30 scores. It might be an 80 without it. It does affect the Silent Shout score more since it has less reviews. Even without these scores, though, they still wouldn't be at the top of 2006 Metacritic list.
I know they wouldn't. I'm just saying I was disappointed with their ratings, in my opinion, the 70s are quite low for albums of that quality.
Posts: 245 | Location: Iowa City | Registered: 15 June 2006
I've gone back to some earlier '06 discs I wasn't too high on at first and half to say the new Drive by Truckers is a lot better than I initially thought...It doesn't have the high points of previous releases, but front to back is actually a lot more solid and consistently engaging than The Dirty South.
Originally posted by stereo: Drum's Not Dead and Silent Shout should be the albums of the year, if you ask me. 78 and 74, respectively. Both would have been higher if it hadn't been for one publication giving a 10/100.
I wouldn't really catagorize the reception of those two records as poor or middling, though. Plus, the reviews of 10/100 probably don't affect the Drum's Not Dead metascore a whole lot since it has around 30 scores. It might be an 80 without it. It does affect the Silent Shout score more since it has less reviews. Even without these scores, though, they still wouldn't be at the top of 2006 Metacritic list.
I know they wouldn't. I'm just saying I was disappointed with their ratings, in my opinion, the 70s are quite low for albums of that quality.
I agree with Stereo. A 74 is below average I think. It's not a good score. A 78 is pretty good though.
Posts: 3931 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
When the scores for most albums are so closely bunched together, 4 points is a big difference. In movies, it would be almost no difference at all, but music scores are a lot different.
And I don't think 74 is a low score, just not a good one. It is slightly above average though.
Posts: 3931 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
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