100 Acres of Sycamore
by Fionn Regan
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Uncut
    Jan 27, 2012
    80
    Dramatic and ravishing, 100 Acres of Sycamore is some achievement.
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  2. Mojo
    Dec 2, 2011
    80
    A starkly beautiful unerringly poetic outing. [Sep 2011, p.100]
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  3. The Guardian
    Dec 2, 2011
    80
    The landscape here is much richer.
  5. BBC Music
    Dec 2, 2011
    80
    That warmth you're feeling come its close, try to hold onto it. It's a contentment few albums leave you with.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Dec 2, 2011
    80
    What Regan has unquestionably created is a landscape of wide-eyed, sincere beauty that is very much his own, delivered with a poise that few of his contemporaries can match.
  7. No Ripcord
    Feb 21, 2012
    70
    Most of the time it's a joy to listen to.
  8. AllMusic
    Dec 9, 2011
    70
    But while it's sometimes a little too understated for its own good, 100 Acres of Sycamore is a never less than a charming and emotive U-turn suggesting that Regan now realizes where his talents lie.
  9. PopMatters
    Dec 2, 2011
    70
    There is a sameness to the songs and the arrangements. Yet this is also a compliment, as it shows the way the diverse topics blend together.
  10. Consequence
    Jan 30, 2012
    60
    The album's understated bleakness could be less uniform and more dynamic, but it's still a pleasant listening experience.
  11. Q Magazine
    Dec 2, 2011
    60
    There's preciousness here, but so what? Craftmen out to care. [Sep 2011, p.114]
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  12. The Telegraph (UK)
    Dec 2, 2011
    60
    [It's] orchestrally enhanced, romantic balladry of fair beauty.
  13. Clash Music
    Dec 2, 2011
    60
    100 Acres... drips with sonic gloss.
  14. Drowned In Sound
    Dec 2, 2011
    60
    Yet, as a whole, the record has one obvious flaw: it's dreary.
  15. Under The Radar
    Jan 19, 2012
    50
    While soul-bearingly intimate, at times Regan can veer into sappy regrets that wear on the listener. [#39, p. 75]
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  16. New Musical Express (NME)
    Dec 2, 2011
    50
    You know those people who moon out of train windows, in love with their own picturesque melancholy? Fionn Regan's third album is like that.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Ricko
    Apr 17, 2015
    8
    Closer in style to his remarkable debut "The End of History" rather than sophomore offering "The Shadow of An Empire", album number 3, "100Closer in style to his remarkable debut "The End of History" rather than sophomore offering "The Shadow of An Empire", album number 3, "100 Acres of Sycamore" see's Fionn Regan revert to a acoustic guitars and his original folky style. Added to the mix are lush string arrangements and orchestration, more so than on any of his previous efforts. "100 Acres..." has some really beautiful songs on it and takes repeated listens to fully appreciate. That said, it is my least favourite of albums, but then again, the standard is very high with this artist. At times, Regan sounds a little underwhelmed by himself and this can trickle across to the listener. As mentioned earlier, this record takes a bit of time to get into but once you get it, your well rewarded.… Full Review »
  2. AlexxTrusc
    Apr 26, 2012
    7
    Fionn Regan is back with his latest album "100 Acres Of Sycamore" and with the changes in his style he decided to make . If you are lookingFionn Regan is back with his latest album "100 Acres Of Sycamore" and with the changes in his style he decided to make . If you are looking for happy rock songs - familiar from the previous "The Shadow of an Empire", you have to turn back. The newest album is a compilation of acoustic folk songs referring to the artist's debut album. Nonetheless this does not change the fact that "100 Acres Of Sycamore" is at least good work… Full Review »
  3. Teaspoon
    Feb 26, 2012
    3
    Poetic and subtle but also grand and visceral, although never quite either. Like a joke without a proper punchline, the atmosphere is built upPoetic and subtle but also grand and visceral, although never quite either. Like a joke without a proper punchline, the atmosphere is built up slowly and skillfully, only to be ruined by Regan's less-than-stellar hook-writing skills. There are occasional moments when the colour begins to show -- such as on the (reasonably) melodic "List of Distractions", or perhaps with Regan's wailing vocals on "Vodka Sorrow" -- although, in short, a record so delicate and monotonous rarely appeals -- and this is no exception.

    Recommended: "List of Distractions", "Woodberry Cemetery"    … Full Review »
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