Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird
Armchair Apocrypha Image
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Chicago-based singer-songwriter returns with his tenth album of literate and eclectic indie rock.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Bird has developed a finesse for off-kilter pop that takes mortality, confusion, and unexpected realizations as its subject, shaping them all into songs that are catchier, by their own terms, than most of Top 40 radio.
  2. Mojo
    80
    Overall, the album might not surpass his masterpiece The Mysterious Production Of Eggs, but Armchair Apocrypha proves Bird's knack for the musical hat-trick. [May 2007, p.102]
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  3. No Ripcord
    80
    His songwriting style remains largely unaltered: eloquent, abstract, stream-of-consciousness rambles, tiny bits of which manage to lodge themselves in your brain. But his talent is most apparent as a composer.
  4. Blender
    60
    The music's intellectualism obscures as many truths as it unveils. [Mar 2007, p.130]
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See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. LarsP.
    10
    Just take 12 really catchy pop songs - ones that you can't but help but like, despite how cool you are - and then layer it a gazillion times with unheard of instrument combinations (love that whistle), poetry, and an extremely talented musician...voila: Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha. It gets better with every listen; the layers of complexity never stop unraveling. Bird manages to pull it off without coming off as an arrogant uptight indie snob.… Expand
  2. Blake
    10
    Simply superb! Andrew Bird is unique songwriter.
  3. Ricko
    8
    At times haunting, often delicate, always clever. A fantastic blend of sounds and styles. This record has some unique and beautiful songs on it. A mix of solid pop melodies and very interesting lyrical themes the whole way through. It took me a few listens to get into it but I was well rewarded in the end. A very good record from a multi-talented musician and songwriter.… Expand
  4. shes_soloose
    7
    The Mysterious Production of Eggs was my favourite album for 2005. This one is different, and good, but largely inferior. Still, a worthy record by an amazing artist.… Expand

See all 39 User Reviews

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