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

Stylus Magazine

The squeaky-clean production of Misery Is a Butterfly has been smudged, sanded, and weathered.

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Entertainment Weekly

It's an enthralling listen, proving once and for all that they deserve the wide success of fellow travelers like Radiohead and Sonic Youth.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The softer focus fits them exceptionally well.

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Drowned In Sound

This is the next record you have to buy. Absolutely. Unequivocally.

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Urb

It's a beautiful collection of songs, cinematic and powerful, never pushy. [Apr 2007, p.100]

Playlouder

As with all Blonde Redhead albums, there is no real standout track to pinpoint. Instead, they've made a terrific progression from, and succeeded in the daunting task of following, 'Misery Is A Butterfly'.

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All Music Guide

23 is mysterious and modern, with an artfully strange beauty that is more memorable than perfection.

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Filter

The end result is a kind of low-flying elation that only these experienced noirists could deliver.

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Prefix Magazine

23 is one of the more enjoyable musical experiences I have encountered this year.

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Lost At Sea

A delirious fever-dream of an album that continues to impress with each consecutive listen.

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Sputnikmusic

23 has a lack of contrast, and that is really its only flaw.

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musicOMH.com

It's a testament to their talent that by their seventh album they're still continuing to develop and reinvent themselves.

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Paste Magazine

23's mannered downtown aura and etched elegance are sustained for its duration, marking it as one of the prolific band's finest to date. [Apr 2007, p.55]

Magnet

A sinister, slinky catwalk with sharper melodic angles and a propulsive, post-punk groove. [#75, p.99]

PopMatters

23 is one of Blonde Redhead’s strongest efforts to date, containing far more in the way of memorable melodies and songwriting subtleties than the band has previously exhibited.

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Mojo

The sound might be spacier and more panoramic, but there's still some grit in the mix. [May 2007, p.110]

Village Voice

23 is exactly what we've come to expect from this trio: a tension-filled exploration of the human psyche, blistering but still atmospheric.

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Boston Globe

"23" furthers the group's recent fascination with a sleeker presentation that favors sheen over squall.

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cokemachineglow

It’s still style over substance in a lot of cases, but it manages to be so exciting while being so listenable that I think it demands repeated listens -- even if those are at cocktail parties.

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The Phoenix

A weirdly entrancing collection of polished electronics and acoustic-guitar riffs layered like fruit in a parfait glass.

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NOW Magazine

23 is fundamentally a more interesting album than 04's Misery Is A Butterfly, neither as cartoonishly bleak nor as sonically pristine.

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Q Magazine

An impressive set. [May 2007, p.123]

No Ripcord

It’s mostly a collection of decent tunes, polished to a blinding sheen.

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Uncut

Things grow richer and stranger as the album develops. [May 2007, p.87]

Pitchfork

Somewhere underneath all the high-gloss, ornamental swirlies and lacquered doilies are haphazardly camouflaged well-written songs.

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Dusted Magazine

When the energy is present, 23 is a strong, pleasant album that connects a number of dots in a way that belongs almost exclusively to Blonde Redhead.

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Under The Radar

For those who found Misery to be an unfortunate turn towards the melodramatic, 23 will probably further disappoint in that it has all the indulgence of that record but few of its emotional peaks and valleys. [#17, p.82]

Tiny Mix Tapes

So when the repetitive rhythms of 23 don’t bowl you over like the first synth lines of Melody, allow yourself the opportunity to sit through its entirety. What you’ll find is an album that reveals its true personality slowly, surely, and yes, lovingly.

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The Guardian

The muddy, unfocused production adds to a sense of missed opportunity. However, 23 has more than most seventh albums' share of otherworldly pop delights.

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Spin

Amedeo Pace's wailing, overemotive tenor invites the mess of Blonde Radiohead jokes the band will inevitably receive. [Apr 2007, p.86]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 52 User Votes

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

Ricardo C. gave it a9:
Beautiful, such a soft melody. And her voice fits perfectly.

Patrick M. gave it an8:
Spring and By Summer Fall.... thats all i gotta say.

Einar J. gave it an8:
8-9.. undecided. This album is gorgeous. Definetly lacks something they previously had, but they make up for it with soft blurs of feeling behind sounds of tranquility and catchy lyrics. 'Top Ranking' is so adorable, while 'The Dress' is just ambience intoxicated. Very good effort, a nice step forward for my favourite American indie band with a Japanese lead vocalist (haha, not many out there,...).

Beau P. gave it a10:
In a year that saw Radiohead and Arcade Fire deliver hauntingly beautiful works, Blonde Redhead released an arguably more stunning album in 2007. 23's textures and arking melodies imbue the album with a mystery that just begs to be listened to over and over again. The most lovely moment is my favorite song of 2007 "Spring By Summer Fall".

Jim M gave it a9:
Heard them at Interpol and liked what i heard so got the latest album (23) get this album if you like st etienne or radiohead you'll love this..very addictive. Now to check out their back catalogue.

Seth C. gave it a10:
Beautiful and amazing. One of the year's best.

nacho v. gave it a9:
All songs are enveloped in a mystery ambient. Great LP

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