All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

musicOMH.com

One of the freshest, funkiest, tragic and joyous albums in recent times.

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100

Observer Music Monthly

It really shouldn't hang together but somehow does, and effortlessly so, without ever seeming gimmicky.

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The Guardian

As with the Beta Band, exploratory self-indulgence is rather the point of the Aliens, but here it's firmly anchored by fantastic songs.

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Mojo

This is a shape-shifting beast, its classic pop sensibilities leavened with occasional samples or stretched into epic, groove-based jams. [Apr 2007, p.96]

Q Magazine

The Aliens' album often has the wide-eyed beauty of Brian Wilson or Jonathan Richman. [Apr 2007, p.120]

Dot Music

What is certain is "Astronomy For Dogs" is a magic-dusted delight and that Anderson is a wizard and a true star.

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cokemachineglow

The Aliens' retro-future, interstellar, ex-Beta Band stylings force the listener backward in time and inward in space, resulting in a weird cosmic navel-gazing that is ultimately the reason this album is only slightly more than moderately successful, and cannot be described under any circumstances as “innovative,” “refreshing” or “a step forward.”

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BBC collective

It’s a fun mess, and although heavily indebted to 60s psyche folk and acid rock, Astronomy For Dogs has a verve and colour that saves it from derivative pastiche.

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Uncut

Every one of these 11 songs is a work of wayward genius. [Apr 2007, p.106]

Under The Radar

Some of the tracks will endure, but as a whole the album’s timelessness is limited by its own camp posturing. Still, it’s quite a fun ride. [#17, p.82]

New Musical Express

As melody-ripe as anything from [Brian] Wilson's brain.

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Spin

Seldom do aural hallucinations feel this triumphant--or this real. [Jul 2007, p.92]

Stylus Magazine

Astronomy sometimes sounds like a British invasion LP given the remaster and remix treatment: dance-ready, fit for a plush couch and extra-plush headspace, and oddly misfiled in time.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

If nothing else, Astronomy For Dogs should be heralded as a step in the right direction after six long years of wandering.

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Drowned In Sound

Though occasional glimpses of that trademark Beta Band brilliance appear, Astronomy For Dogs fails to act as much more than a reminder to listen to Anderson and company’s former glories.

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Pitchfork

Good as it is to have these dudes back, their reunion sounds disappointingly anticlimactic.

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Playlouder

Disappointing, frustrating and exhausting, 'Astronomy For Dogs' finds a band trying too hard to cram too much into one sitting.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

M.G M.G gave it a10:
If you can, next time you see your mum, hug her for giving birth to you. Make sure you have heard this record first and you won't be able to stop yourself. Still I dream of it Of that happy day When I can say I've fallen in love And it haunts me so Like a dream that's Somehow linked to all the stars above

Todd C gave it a10:
Brilliant. Best of 2007!!!

Brian K gave it a10:
Absolute blissful , energetic, prog heavy, catchy as hell goodness, I love Beta Band and these guys know their music, they are so unique and just explode with wonderful hooks and kick butt cool sound! Best CD of 2007!

Daniel D gave it a10:
G - R - E - A - T

J O. gave it a10:
Album of the Year: 2007 and 1967

Chino P. gave it a9:
Excellent album! One of the best I heard in the year so far. I really don't understand why some "critics" rate it so low.

Matthew C. gave it a10:
After seeing Pitchfork's rating and review for this album I'm convinced that it's writers are a bunch of fucking idiots. How can you give this any less than a 10?

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