A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation
by The Wombats
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25

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  1. Fuerstenberg
    Jan 22, 2022
    5
    The Wombats' debut "A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation" is pretty unspectacular overall. The trio's songs are easy to listen to and energetic, but it's basically the same thing over and over again.

    Maybe it's my age, but the high school indie stuff just doesn't catch me (anymore). In the end, only "Let's Dance to Joy Division" stands out as a noteworthy track. More than 5 out of 10    The Wombats' debut "A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation" is pretty unspectacular overall. The trio's songs are easy to listen to and energetic, but it's basically the same thing over and over again.

    Maybe it's my age, but the high school indie stuff just doesn't catch me (anymore). In the end, only "Let's Dance to Joy Division" stands out as a noteworthy track. More than 5 out of 10 would be too much.

    ~ Fürstenberg
    January 22, 2022    … Expand
  2. emiplaynintendo
    Jan 1, 2018
    10
    This is the best Indie Rock album I´ve ever heard. It is a really fun album and it is impossible not to tap your feet or to sing along to one of these songs,everything is really energetic and I love it because of that.
  3. OpinionatedGuy
    Aug 8, 2014
    9
    There are no words to describe how much I relate to this entire album. This album made me feel like I am in high school again in just 44 minutes.

    This is the best debut album from any artist I have ever heard in a long time since John Newman's Tribute album. This album had this pop-rock sound that I absolutely loved and even if the lyrics are sad it makes me happy. I relate to the    There are no words to describe how much I relate to this entire album. This album made me feel like I am in high school again in just 44 minutes.

    This is the best debut album from any artist I have ever heard in a long time since John Newman's Tribute album. This album had this pop-rock sound that I absolutely loved and even if the lyrics are sad it makes me happy.

    I relate to the songs that The Wombats' lead vocalist is singing about. I could relate his struggles even though I did not experience it yet. The lyrics are also funny as well and this rarely happens to me.

    I think my only complaint that while I like all the songs and it has a deeper story in it, the tracklist in the middle seemed like a collection of songs they wrote with no plot if you listen to the album in its order but this is easily overlooked for me because I love this album and its songs in it and each song has a story in it so it's fine.

    This is the best album I have ever heard in a long time and I think it's safe to say that I am a Wombats fan and that I will check out their other album soon.    … Expand
  4. Stoopy
    Aug 24, 2013
    9
    Wow! What a stand out of an album. Catchy, fun, exciting and gives the listener a want for dance! A great take on the Indie Punk Genre.

    Top Songs!
    Kill the Director
    Let's Dance to Joy Division
    School Uniforms
  5. KateM
    Jan 15, 2011
    8
    Fantastic album. It's got the spirit and melodies that alot of indie bands are missing these days. It's almost impossible not to dance along to tracks such as 'Let's dance to joy division' and 'Kill the Director'. This cd is great, because it has those tracks you love at first listen (Moving to New York), and then a couple which grow on you till they're your faves (Patricia the Stripper),Fantastic album. It's got the spirit and melodies that alot of indie bands are missing these days. It's almost impossible not to dance along to tracks such as 'Let's dance to joy division' and 'Kill the Director'. This cd is great, because it has those tracks you love at first listen (Moving to New York), and then a couple which grow on you till they're your faves (Patricia the Stripper), though it also has a couple of fillers (Lost in the Post, Party in the Forest), all the tracks are fun and energetic. Notably, every song has a topic that is completely uncliche, which makes for an interesting listen… Expand
  6. Julian
    Jan 5, 2008
    9
    Although it's not original they stand out for writing songs miles ahead from the many indie bands for the masses, just check out Moving from New York and the obvious hit single Let's dance to joy Division...(among others) instant classics, awesome fun release.
  7. PACMusic
    Dec 24, 2007
    4
    Bandwagon Indie Rock I
  8. AlvaG.
    Dec 11, 2007
    8
    This album is full of wit, spunk, great riffs, catchy lyrics and back vocals. Obviously, The Wombats don't reinvent pop rock but they sure do a heck of job to make it fun to listen and party too. This is the type of album that grows on you and gives instant credibility to the band in the indie scene. The album has great potential singles across the board. Let's hope that this This album is full of wit, spunk, great riffs, catchy lyrics and back vocals. Obviously, The Wombats don't reinvent pop rock but they sure do a heck of job to make it fun to listen and party too. This is the type of album that grows on you and gives instant credibility to the band in the indie scene. The album has great potential singles across the board. Let's hope that this gets out to the masses.… Expand
  9. AngeloF.
    Dec 10, 2007
    10
    This is a great CD. Great songs, I can see them reach highest positions in the charts.
  10. GuyH
    Dec 7, 2007
    0
    Worst new band of the year! Awful. 'We're mad and energetic and youthful us' - great for you, now try writing a song that doesn't make me want to chew off my own tongue!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Dot Music
    70
    The trio can't sustain this energy and inventiveness over the entire album.
    Read full review
  2. Hot Press
    60
    A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation is by no means a bad album, but at the same time it’s hard to see just what all the fuss is about.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    The album, like their live set, is shot through with fun, infectious wit and a desire to create perfect pop while not taking themselves too seriously.
    Read full review
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