• Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Mar 18, 2008
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. What leader Nick Urata does on his big indie debut is pretty straightforward: make dance music and ballads with drama and kitsch.
  2. Blender
    60
    Lively and ingenious combinations of glockenspiel, theremin, tuba, accordion, strings and mariachi horns promise more emotional depth than Nick Urata's world-weary tenor warble delivers. [May 2008, p.75]
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    DeVotchKa's preference for songs that don't necessarily result in feverish fopsweat actually serve to highlight much mongrel charm. [Apr 2008, p.107]
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. SamJ
    Jul 25, 2009
    9
    It is not just the vocals of "A Mad & Faithful Telling" that hit the spot, but (as of every DeVotchKa album) the music itself is good enough It is not just the vocals of "A Mad & Faithful Telling" that hit the spot, but (as of every DeVotchKa album) the music itself is good enough to achieve a '8' . A whole instrumental version of this album would be overall postive, and then there is the vocals, that give it one extra push. There is a vast amount of songs with vocals which are amazing, then the short instrumental tracks like "Comrade Z" which sounds amazing on their own. You notice yourself not thinking " when are the vocals going to begin?" and just enjoying the music. I think "Basso Profundo" will be one of my top tens this year. Full Review »
  2. SteveO.
    Apr 11, 2008
    8
    Overall its a decent album. He has a unique voice. Im looking forward to a future release.
  3. MathewP.
    Mar 29, 2008
    10
    Amazing album. Love the diversity and the range of sounds used here. Transiliterator is my song of the year so far!