A Map of the Floating City - Thomas Dolby
A Map of the Floating City Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

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

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  • Summary: The concept album made up of three EPs about three imaginary continents is the first since the singer's 1992 album Astronauts & Heretics.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The A.V. Club
    Oct 28, 2011
    83
    Dolby takes care to construct whole worlds, making sure there are people to talk to there, and scenery to drink in.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 4, 2011
    80
    For all its stylistic diversity--bluegrass, bossa, jazz and electro all get a look in--and voracious internationalism, Floating City is a work with an identifiable centre.
  3. Mojo
    Dec 22, 2011
    80
    This album is a punchy, lyrical and moving set. [Nov 2011, p. 103]
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  4. Q Magazine
    Dec 15, 2011
    60
    He's turned his back on electro flourishes in favour of a melodic approach... It works. [Dec. 2001 p. 126]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. PBTDoyle
    10
    An album almost twenty years in the waiting! - but it appears worthwhile. Dolby's art is well-crafted, and his production and arrangement is sleek and balanced. Some songs stick out more than others (Oceanea, Evil Twin Brother and 17 Hills) but this is more about personal taste than quality. Map of the Floating City is a cornucopia of concept, mood and narrative woven from a tapestry-like blend of melody, chord sequence and line - both wistful and heartfelt. The album offers up new gems upon each listening and for this reason is a musician's album. Map of the Floating City's centrepiece is definitely Oceanea; Dolby's voice counterpoints beautifully with Eddi Reader's. if your choice of listening is for an album within which you can immerse yourself in completely - this album is for you… Expand

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