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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Mad for Sadness
by Arab Strap


9.5

based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 2 votes
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Rate this album

MUSIC:

This live recording features 10 tracks, mainly consisting of material from the band's first two albums.

LABEL:	Jetset
RELEASE DATE:	04 July 2000
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock, Alternative, Live

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...

All Music Guide

Malcolm Middleton's moody musical constructions -- sometimes punchy, sometimes hallucinatory and somnolent -- positively glisten in the live setting, and serve due notice that the most important trait of the band is its sound.

Pitchfork

This 1998 set, recorded in its entirety with minimal interaction with the audience, melds the finer points of their best work into a potent display.... this succinct live recording stands as their most direct and effective release to date.

New Musical Express

This is a crisp, focused wobble through a primarily 'Philophobia'-derived set with drummer Dave Gow and bassist Gary Miller adding crucial propulsive qualities.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

A surprisingly strong representation of the group's slow, sad appeal.

Q Magazine

By far their most effective release.

Almost Cool

There is just enough of a changeup in the sounds of the songs (from a variety of releases) that makes the disc worth having if you enjoy the group.

Sonicnet

Imagine Charles Bukowski or Irvine Welsh reading poetry with musical accompaniment provided by Joy Division, and you've got the general idea.

Alternative Press

You may be surprised to learn that the roadside corpse does more than twitch; it gets up and positively rumbas in places ("Girls of Summer"), while "New Birds" heaves with the same fidgety agitation that occasionally made Joy Division seem special. [#147, p.83]

The average user rating for this album is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Steve W. gave it a10:
The best live album ever made from one of the best bands of the last 10 years.

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Mad for Sadness by Arab Strap

Mad for Sadness
by Arab Strap