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Memory Man
by Aqualung

Aqualung reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 70 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.4 out of 10
based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 26 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

London-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hales returns with a second album following two years of touring in support of his debut 'Strange And Beautiful.'

LABEL: Sony
RELEASE DATE: 13 March 2007
DISCS: 1 disc
GENRE(S): Singer/Songwriter, Rock, Adult Alternative

What The Critics Said

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...

90
Lost At Sea
Memory Man will be one of the strongest efforts released in 2007.
Read Full Review
80
All Music Guide
So while Aqualung may not be doing anything on Memory Man that is wholly different than all of the Coldplays and Rufus Wainwrights of the world, there is a certain down-to-earth charm inherent in Hales that his peers often lack.
Read Full Review
80
Mojo
Memory Man comes at you with a hesitant rush, portraying bespectacled, nice Mr. Hales as an improbably suburban Jeff Buckley--no glamour, all passion. [Oct 2007, p.94]
75
Entertainment Weekly
Hales works admirably hard at selling his world. [16 Mar 2007, p.68]
70
Amazon.com
He's an expert at creating mesmerizing, sophisticated pop.
Read Full Review
60
Spin
Trades Parachutes-era wistfulness for Kid A-style gloom. [Mar 2007, p.88]
60
Q Magazine
So outstanding is 'Cinderella' that its siblings pale in its shadow. [Sep 2007, p.88]
30
Blender
The lightness and clarity that once set Hales apart is here squashed by overwrought arrangements of lesser melodies that replace pop classicism with conventional rock bluster.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Farhan J gave it a10:
The greatest 3rd album by any new comer!!!!!!!!

Danielle D. gave it a10:
Memory Man is one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. Each and every track is a masterpiece of music and lyrics. It seems like you enter his world with the first track titled Cinderella. The song Pressure Suit is a profound love song, avoiding cliches and sappy lyrics. Memory Man is a wise addition to your CD collection

Lori P. gave it a9:
I'm in love with this album. It took a few listens to discover the certain little extras hidden in each song, but it's well worth every listen. I never feel the urge to skip a track, which is rare. The guitars combined with the piano in Cinderella make for an epic song that gives me chills each time I listen. Matt Hales knew just what to add, not change, when creating this album. The charm of the first two CDs is still fully present. One of my favorite albums by far.

Matthew gave it a7:
Matt delivers the grandeur of Coldplay while still keeping a quaint, unpolished feel. A quality work from an up and comer; he's definitely someone to watch in the future.

Melissa N gave it a10:
This album is crazy good. Though initially I was a bit turned off by the harder edge....after a few listenings, however, I changed my mind and lets face it....if you go to a show you want to rock a little instead of sitting their crying and after seeing them play Memoryman songs live twice I can say that they ROCK as well as roll!!!!

yasha ez gave it a10:
This is an incredible album with so much creativity in it. A definite must for music lovers.

Ian B gave it a10:
This album has an intensity no other posesses.

Read more user comments...

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