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Amber Headlights
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Amber Headlights Image
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: 'Headlights' includes songs first written by Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers) in 2002. Petra Haden guests.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Junkmedia
    80
    Amber Headlights has clear thematic and structural parallels to the Afghan Whigs' excellent 1996 rock opera Black Love.
  2. Splendid
    70
    For a fractured album that spent several years in limbo, Amber Headlights does two things very well: it's an impressive introduction to Dulli's far-reaching musical talent, and a spiritual cleansing for the wry vocalist himself.
  3. Neumu.net
    70
    Amber Headlights fails, when it does, because it's trying to be two things at once: a personal reflection on life and death and a commercially acceptable rock record. But when the album ditches the tricks and conventions that define mainstream rock and focuses on Dulli's songs, it is very powerful indeed.
  4. Uncut
    60
    The funk-noir backing means that Dulli is able to purr lyrics about "sexy ladies", debilitating cocaine habits and your standard-issue emotionally violent love affairs without sounding as trite as he perhaps should. [Mar 2006, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. PopMatters
    50
    Amber Headlights is neither a holy grail of unreleased Dulli tracks nor an insightful glimpse into the goings-ons behind his velvet curtain; nevertheless, it's by no means a major disappointment.
  6. Pitchfork
    47
    Amber Headlights is a step backwards after the lush beats and subdued songs of the Twilight Singers' debut, 2000's Twilight, but it also seems weak following the harrowing Blackberry Belle and even the so-so covers album She Loves You.
  7. The Guardian
    30
    As he points out in the sleeve notes, these were "works in progress", but that doesn't excuse using stagnant rock riffs to obscure his lack of inspiration.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. BetteD
    Jan 18, 2006
    8
    Transitional. Unfinished. Rough. Admittedly full of potential and a great view into what it is Dulli does.
  2. BurtonG
    Dec 7, 2005
    7
    Yes, a transitional "bridge" between his late period Whigs work and the Twilight Singers, but that doesn't mean that aren't gems Yes, a transitional "bridge" between his late period Whigs work and the Twilight Singers, but that doesn't mean that aren't gems here. I, for one, am not put off by songs that later evolved to new, more polished one. As a longtime follower, I enjoyed tracing the progression. The album grows thinner as it goes but that can be said of most of his work. Greg Dulli is a front-loader. A sure-fire pick up for fans but worth it too for the more casual listener.… Collapse
  4. Steve
    Dec 10, 2005
    7
    For what it is, it is good. "Amber Headlights" are a couple of demos. It is not a finished article.
  5. FrankSinatra
    Dec 12, 2005
    6
    I do love Greg and the Twilights, but I'd have to agree with the general sentiment of these reviews. This feels a bit like a b-sides I do love Greg and the Twilights, but I'd have to agree with the general sentiment of these reviews. This feels a bit like a b-sides collection. Mostly strong songs, and absolutely necessary for fans, but a little inconsequential when compared to Dulli's other recordings. Can't wait for Powder Burns.… Expand
  6. Gentleman
    Dec 9, 2005
    5
    A not so great album from a very good artist.
  7. daniele
    Jan 3, 2006
    5
    Greg Dulli's worst album so far

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