Akron/Family
by Akron/Family
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Pitchfork
    80
    Despite the boundlessness of their instrumentation, Akron/Family maintain remarkable warmth... playing at restrained volumes that invite close listening.
  2. Uncut
    70
    Intriguing, endearing and, given time, surprisingly addictive. [Jun 2005, p.104]
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  3. Mojo
    70
    [It] is largely unfettered by the dictates of genre. [Jul 2006, p.106]
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  5. Alternative Press
    80
    Conjures images of an organic commune in an alternate galaxy. [Jun 2005, p.164]
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  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    The biggest pleasant surprise here, though, is the vocals.
  7. The Wire
    70
    Immaculately interwoven electronics and the care with which each beautifully recorded track unfolds recall Chicago post-rock. [#254, p.53]
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  8. Magnet
    80
    Akron/Family is John Brown's body, the ghost of Tom Joad and the art-school spirit of Andy Warhol crammed into one ornate, mossy mausoleum. [#68, p.100]
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  9. Prefix Magazine
    80
    In a perfect combination of inspired production, innovative instrumentation and transcendent songwriting, Akron/Family is a richly layered and flowing album that is as emotional as it is challenging.
  10. Stylus Magazine
    91
    This debut will not be the record of their career and leaves me wanting more already, but it is the right record at the right time and a stupidly profound and convincing debut that is up there with the best releases of the year thus far.
  11. Splendid
    80
    Blending the real and the imagined, live performance and tape manipulation, traditional instruments and skewed found sounds, Akron/Family carves an eccentrically lovely niche for itself in the ever-expanding psych-folk landscape.
  12. ShakingThrough.net
    66
    Akron/Family has definite talent, but less forced naturalness, tighter song structures and greater emphasis on appealing harmonies could only help the group in its quest to conquer the known musical universe, or, at the very least, the corner organic foods mart.
  13. Neumu.net
    95
    Akron/Family merge shifting, sometimes impressionistic arrangements with limpid lyricism. The result is an elusive -- but strong and deeply fascinating -- debut.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Album of 2005
33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. JohnP
    Feb 5, 2006
    10
    Best album of 2005.
  2. AdamR
    Jan 29, 2006
    10
    amazingly dynamic and eerie album that, despite it's often upbeat southern feel, can inspire me to dreams of the strangest and deepest things.
  3. Kevin
    May 22, 2005
    10
    This is easily the best release of 2005 so far; a vastly underrated "debut." Check out "Running, Returning," and "Lumen," these are the best This is easily the best release of 2005 so far; a vastly underrated "debut." Check out "Running, Returning," and "Lumen," these are the best cuts. But they're all good so I command you to buy this!… Full Review »
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