A Thing Called Divine Fits
by Divine Fits
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Aug 28, 2012
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Mojo
    Oct 22, 2012
    80
    Blessed with impeccable musical bone structure, nearly everything suits them. [Nov 2012, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    Oct 3, 2012
    70
    Each man delivers touches that are downright unique to their brand of music, but together, they carry a strong penchant for the greatness of indie rock. It's never groundbreaking, but it doesn't have to be either – A Thing Called Divine Fits celebrates music with terrific, yet humble, results.
  3. Magnet
    Oct 1, 2012
    75
    The merger breathes welcome new life into both of their glorified shticks, though Brown will likely have serve a stint at the Keith Moon Memorial Flailing Rock Re-Education Camp before the Turks next reconvene. [No.91, p.53]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The Quietus
    Sep 28, 2012
    80
    A Thing Called Divine Fits is a seemingly rare thing; a really good, life-affirming rock record that just works, and gets better and better the more time you spend with it.
  6. Uncut
    Sep 14, 2012
    90
    The most infectiously tricked-out rock LP since El Camino. [Oct 2012, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Sep 7, 2012
    91
    In short, this rocks differently in a year when it's been hard to use that verb without reflecting on the mortality of all things.
  8. Q Magazine
    Sep 6, 2012
    60
    There's nothing that reeks of genius here, but there's enough to be getting on with. [Oct 2012, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Spin
    Sep 5, 2012
    70
    When they get the balance right (yes, that reference is from '83) and filter those desires through their own distinct sensibilities, Divine Fits stands with their best work.
  10. DIY Magazine
    Aug 31, 2012
    80
    While Spoon and Wolf Parade fans may be mourning during the hiatus of their favourite bands, this is a tasty release in the interim.
  11. Filter
    Aug 31, 2012
    64
    This collaboration produces a collection of consistent but familiar tunes that seem hastily thrown together, each instrumental and vocal decision decided by the fate of a coin toss.
  12. PopMatters
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    They're not there yet, but with Boeckner's insistence that the group will be the primary focus of its members for the foreseeable future, they might just get it right next time.
  13. Alternative Press
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    Call it two EPs of material from two gifted frontmen combined into one LP--nothing more, nothing less.
  14. Exclaim
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    It's an excellent record--one that sounds both classic and unmistakably contemporary--but, for the most part, it still sounds like the meeting of two disparate halves.
  15. AllMusic
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    While A Thing Called Divine Fits might be a shade less eclectic than Boeckner, Brown, and Daniel's other projects, it's hard to find fault when the results are this consistently catchy.
  16. CMJ
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    If the album has a significant weakness, it's that despite the impressive attention to detail and the impeccable production work, the record can't quite shake that side-project feeling.
  17. The New York Times
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    It's a record full of poses and acts, but there's a secret work ethic under all this; the band mates seem to believe in indie-rock maybe a little more than they need to.
  18. Under The Radar
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    A Thing Called the Divine Fits does a fantastic job building on many of the strengths of its members to create a new, exciting project.
  19. The A.V. Club
    Aug 28, 2012
    83
    Boeckner is occasionally overshadowed by his more charismatic collaborator, but that dynamic is nothing new to him after Wolf Parade, and there's no shame in being upstaged on a record as brisk and consistently infectious as this one.
  20. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 28, 2012
    50
    As a set of songs, though, Divine Fits' debut feels pretty process-oriented, more workbook than showpiece.
  21. No Ripcord
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    Despite the obvious logistical convenience that made possible the merge of Boeckner and Daniel, A Thing Called Divine Fits makes a strong case for established musicians who randomly feel an urge to start a band.
  22. NOW Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    It's hard to shake the notion that the songs are leftovers from the songwriters' other bands.
  23. Pitchfork
    Aug 28, 2012
    76
    A Thing Called Divine Fits might seem the Platonic ideal of indie rock collaboration, but the most memorable moments have Boeckner's signature.
  24. Prefix Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    85
    Each track stands on its own; there is no filler, and it highlights each musician's strengths.
  25. Rolling Stone
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    Daniel's sharp guitar and Boeckner's drone-y keyboard come together on jittery jags that gain urgency by feeling knocked out.
  26. Slant Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    The album is an assemblage of smart, new wave-tinged garage-rock tunes, less a labor of love than a near-effortless studio session between two post-punk revival veterans that might have been recorded in the space of a few afternoons.
  27. The Guardian
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    There's a chemistry between this trio, and a satisfying intensity to their focused electro jams.
  28. American Songwriter
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    This is a striking, exciting debut crafted with a confident, crackling urgency that makes this music leap out of the speakers.
  29. Beats Per Minute
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    Rather than a cohesive structured debut effort that was the product of a cooperative band, you have a Frankenstein-ian melding of cast off parts.
  30. Chicago Tribune
    Aug 28, 2012
    75
    Divine Fits suggests that Daniel, Boeckner and Brown are doing a lot more than just killing time, if not eclipsing their other, better-known bands.
  31. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 28, 2012
    67
    Divinely frustrating and equally compelling.
  32. Consequence
    Aug 28, 2012
    90
    Women are all over A Thing Called Divine Fits, but at its many hearts the record celebrates "a very brotherly" relationship.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Frooz
    Aug 28, 2012
    8
    Well-produced, cathartic, and jam-packed with tight, catchy hooks, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits' is a real winner that feels like Spoon if itWell-produced, cathartic, and jam-packed with tight, catchy hooks, 'A Thing Called Divine Fits' is a real winner that feels like Spoon if it were a dance band in the 80's. In a good way.… Full Review »
  2. BarkingPumpkin
    Nov 10, 2012
    9
    This is an excellent release! Favorite tracks: The Salton Sea and Like Ice Cream. All the tracks reward repeat listening. It definitelyThis is an excellent release! Favorite tracks: The Salton Sea and Like Ice Cream. All the tracks reward repeat listening. It definitely feels like a Spoon release.… Full Review »
  3. AV_critic
    Sep 1, 2012
    9
    Electric, cool and buzzworthy. Divine Fits isn't just a supergroup band, it's an attempt to revive alternative rock and of course, they'reElectric, cool and buzzworthy. Divine Fits isn't just a supergroup band, it's an attempt to revive alternative rock and of course, they're going on the right direction.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »