12 Desperate Straight Lines
by Telekinesis
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Feb 15, 2011
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 13, 2011
    50
    There are throwaways, but 12 Desperate Straight Lines moves Telekinesis in the right direction.
  2. Consequence
    Feb 23, 2011
    50
    The more innovative tracks are definitely worth a download. However, a good portion of the album is basically filler.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Feb 18, 2011
    50
    It's sustainable, technically sound, and part of a much bigger feast that happened a couple years ago.
  5. NOW Magazine
    Feb 24, 2011
    60
    Bands in need of a catchy pop sound with a light edge should visit Chris Walla in Portland. The Death Cab for Cutie guitarist and producer can seemingly get this result from any artist he works with, including Michael Benjamin Lerner, aka Telekinesis.
  6. PopMatters
    Feb 17, 2011
    50
    Desperate sounds like a series of well-executed demos, waiting to be taken up by a crack band and a singer who can make them breathe.
  7. Q Magazine
    Mar 9, 2011
    60
    In time-honored fashion it rattles through a dozen tracks in a shade over 30 minutes, never getting close to overstaying its welcome. [Mar 2011, p.116]
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  8. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 16, 2011
    60
    12 Desperate Lines takes tried-and-true radio rock tropes and imbues them with enough life to make them feel fresh.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. altInterstate
    Feb 23, 2011
    8
    The power pop sound of 12 Desperate Straight Lines does resemble Telekinesisâ
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