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A Flourish and a Spoil
by
A Flourish and a Spoil Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the Pennsylvania indie rock band was produced by John Congleton.
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Top Track

Suburban Smell
There are 16 homes on every street They all of course lie in the neatest rows Cradling broken homes and dinner prayers Rocking us all to sleep in... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Consequence
    Feb 5, 2015
    91
    Each of the album’s 10 songs are fully formed and smartly rendered, but “Young Blood” stands out as the most jaw-dropping.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 5, 2015
    80
    A freshly squeezed record with the pulp left in it.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Feb 9, 2015
    80
    The Districts end up finding an in-between, where emotional songwriting becomes the selling point, without being overdone.
  4. The Guardian
    Feb 5, 2015
    60
    The feeling that, yes, there’s something attractive here. But, on record at least, the spark of individuality is missing.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 6, 2015
    60
    For every one of the album's fumbled subtleties, there are several moments when The Districts feint at being great. Enough to show they’re flailing in the right direction.
  6. Q Magazine
    Feb 5, 2015
    60
    Grote can at times sounded penned in by the relative straightness of the source material, yet this is an enjoyable noisy debut. [Mar 2015, p.106]
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  7. Pitchfork
    Feb 6, 2015
    56
    They’re a "the + plural noun" band. For those who felt the "New Rock Revolution" was exactly what its name promised rather than a revival of old aesthetics, the Districts' A Flourish and a Spoil signifies a restoration of order. For everyone else who simply likes rock bands, it's actually kinda quaint.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. rav0003
    Apr 5, 2015
    10
    This album would be a solid 8 but they get an additional 2 points from me because of their youth (all under 21), the quality of their EP, andThis album would be a solid 8 but they get an additional 2 points from me because of their youth (all under 21), the quality of their EP, and the quality of their live performance. Great stuff for sure!… Expand
  2. josh2112
    Feb 10, 2015
    10
    Incredible second album from a group of four young guys that show a lot of promise. The emotions purveyed in the work are outstanding and easyIncredible second album from a group of four young guys that show a lot of promise. The emotions purveyed in the work are outstanding and easy to relate to. Inventive and always willing to try something new, The Districts are going to be a band to watch for a long time.… Expand

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