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Anna Calvi
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Anna Calvi Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The half-English, half-Italian singer's self-titled debut showcases her sophisticated songwriting abilities -- drawing comparisons to PJ Harvey -- and her musical prowess.
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  • Record Label: Domino
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
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Top Track

Desire
I wanna go to the sun Hold my life like I've never done But it's just the devil in me The devil that's calling as I come undone The sky is getting... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. NOW Magazine
    Feb 24, 2011
    100
    Whether howling eerily over a low, rhythmic pulse or riding a huge riff, Calvi's sensuous presence brings much-needed sexual heat to today's tepid rock 'n' roll landscape.
  2. BBC Music
    Feb 10, 2011
    90
    In a world overflowing with female singer-songwriters, Anna Calvi's exceptional guitar playing and raw, elemental style certainly mark her out as different from the herd.
  3. Uncut
    Feb 8, 2011
    80
    It's a fearless rejection of current pop trends, fashioning a benchmark of intensity and originality that the rest of this year's albums will struggle to match. [Fed 2010, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The New York Times
    Mar 21, 2011
    80
    As Ms. Calvi sings about the overpowering forces of heavenly love and demonic passion, she can go from whisper to cataclysm in four minutes, and she regularly does.
  5. Filter
    Mar 10, 2011
    74
    Unlike Cave, who drags all those poor characters of his down into that gruesome purgatory he calls a soul, Calvi simply lays hers unabashedly bare before us. Never have the aesthetics of doom been called to the service of so much exuberance.
  6. Under The Radar
    Mar 9, 2011
    70
    It's obvious Calvi has a gift. Her commanding voice calls to mind some of the most powerful female performers in rock history. [Feb 2011, p.62]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 10, 2011
    30
    What Calvi's debut is a mixture of sprawling guitars that teeter somewhere between Tortoise's mathy noodlings, Deerhunter's brownish hue, Hendrix's fade outs and Howling Bells' shimmering grunge-gaze.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Eads
    Mar 21, 2011
    10
    Excellent album. Her vocals and guitar playing seem so natural, piercing, yet sounding mellow and perfectly restrained. Best album of the year so far.
  2. Hackskeptic
    Apr 10, 2011
    9
    As she beckons you into her dark world with this sultry, enigmatic performance, resistance to her charms are futile. "Anna Calvi" is simply aAs she beckons you into her dark world with this sultry, enigmatic performance, resistance to her charms are futile. "Anna Calvi" is simply a stunning debut. http://hackskeptic.com… Expand
  4. Dingo
    Jun 30, 2011
    9
    It's not entirely unique, but it really stands out. I'm completely sold on the vocals, as well as the chilly-timbre guitar. When I listen toIt's not entirely unique, but it really stands out. I'm completely sold on the vocals, as well as the chilly-timbre guitar. When I listen to this record I picture a very large space, subsequently filled with her mesmerizing, bold sound.

    On another note, the guitar work evokes The Sadies for me, and it makes me wonder what kind of fun chamber-country they could brew up, if ever they were so inclined...    … Expand
  5. Muddsjr
    May 21, 2014
    8
    I'm really loving this album, I love the way the guitar is played and simply the way Calvi uses her deep, warbling vocals to create somethingI'm really loving this album, I love the way the guitar is played and simply the way Calvi uses her deep, warbling vocals to create something both magnificent and beautiful.… Expand
  6. LuizCC
    Jul 30, 2012
    8
    The power within the songs of this album is mind blowing. Calvis's voice is blast, something apart from other singers nowadays. The melodiesThe power within the songs of this album is mind blowing. Calvis's voice is blast, something apart from other singers nowadays. The melodies are beautiful, and the musical references from flamenco to hard rock makes every song in the album stand out on it's own. It's clearly the inspiration from PJ Harvey, and in a good way. The one thing that is quite unclear is the songwriting that is a little shaky. But Anna is a talent to keep an eye on.… Collapse
  7. hydrawithears
    Oct 3, 2011
    8
    Anna Calvi is not just a younger PJ Harvey. Sheâ
  8. Ricko
    Aug 17, 2020
    6
    Anna Calvi is very successful in creating moods and textures on her debut album. I'm left unconvinced if she is a particularly good songwriterAnna Calvi is very successful in creating moods and textures on her debut album. I'm left unconvinced if she is a particularly good songwriter at this point. Her songwriting had improved a lot by the time of her third album "Hunter" but on this eponymous debut, while it is full of style, truly memorable tracks are scarce enough. The PJ Harvey comparisons are obvious but for me completely unjustified.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Shared Album of 2011

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