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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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The Spell
by The Black Heart Procession
The San Diego indie rockers return with an 11-track set that ditches the Latin elements of the previous record but retains their moody, cinematic sound.
| LABEL: |
Touch & Go |
| RELEASE DATE: |
09 May 2006 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock |
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
musicOMH.com
Bleak and broody music has never been quite so thrilling.
90
All Music Guide
A pitch-perfect blend of Black Heart past and present, and a recording as accomplished as any that navigates similarly dark seas.
90
Delusions of Adequacy
As much as I loved Amore Del Tropico, The Spell comes across even more striking.
90
Dusted Magazine
A magical collection of songs where the lyrics, instruments and voice somehow blend perfectly, matching each other moment to moment to tell the same story, set the same mood.
80
Pitchfork
The Spell is Black Heart Procession's best album, cohesive though it lacks the conceptual arc of its predecessor, and dynamically arranged, with the sense of interplay that flows naturally from a working band.
80
Uncut
Snapping snare, pump-organ and wiry guitar frame Jenkins' mood of stoned baroque beautifully. [Jun 2006, p.122]
80
Alternative Press
Bewitching from front to back. [Jul 2006, p.192]
80
Playlouder
'The Spell' marks their most successful record to date in creating a coherent aesthetic throughout; a beguiling and compelling atmosphere of black magic.
80
Tiny Mix Tapes
These are songs that should be performed on a rare cabaret stage in a slum.
80
Prefix Magazine
Although it's similar in style to the band's first three, numerically named releases, The Spell transcends more-of-the-sameness with the strategic addition of some elements culled from Amore and a further honing of the band's unmistakable sound.
70
New Musical Express
Again finds them excelling in the art of morbidity. [27 May 2006, p.33]
70
Mojo
[A] confident follow-up. [Jul 2006, p.106]
65
cokemachineglow
The Spell cannot break free of the band’s successful formula without something a lot more challenging than this.
60
Urb
Unfortunately, lead singer Pall Jenkins's vocals are not as spectacular as the arrangements backing him. [May 2006, p.82]
60
NOW Magazine
It's too bad hackneyed spider-woman metaphors and non-specific allusions to 'regret' don't match BHP's level of sonic sophistication.
60
Paste Magazine
The wonderfully overdramatic Spell inspires imagery of the house band in a borderland casino. [Sep 2006, p.81]
60
BBC collective
This is woozy Americana wrapped fast in thick swathes of serrated menace.
60
Under The Radar
Sounds closer to a conventional band than anything they've done yet. [#13, p.83]
50
PopMatters
For a band that is now nearly a decade into its career, to release an album that retreads their superior earlier material with far less passion and conviction is about as depressing as the music is.
40
Q Magazine
It's prevented from turning fancy by its grounding in some rudimentary rock dynamics. [May 2006, p.122]
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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