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...

Stylus Magazine

Califone has worked, skillfully, with all of these styles and sounds before, but they’ve never left the table with a more realized, delicate treatment.

Read Full Review >

cokemachineglow

Califone are continuing the progressive refinement of their roots, giving an assured argument for the possibilities ignored by folk musicians enslaved to tradition and a smart recall to all the forward-thinking others who have moved too completely and arrogantly on.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

Roots and Crowns is bluesy and soulful without reverting to revivalist schtick, and experimental without relying on blind cut-and-pasting.

Read Full Review >

Lost At Sea

Califone’s latest offering is not to be missed and certainly one of the best albums of 2006.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

Things are more cinematic here, with every melody weaving through a mise-en-scene packed with dramatic incident. [Nov 2006, p.101]

NOW Magazine

Even at its most pieced-together and deconstructed, Califone's music feels organic.

Read Full Review >

Paste Magazine

The band's best collage of cross-bred eras yet. [Oct 2006, p.75]

Under The Radar

Building from the past to reinvent the future, they created something wholly remarkable for the here and now. [#15]

All Music Guide

The songs themselves are easy to approach if difficult to decipher, and the production details reward repeated listens.

Read Full Review >

The Phoenix

Instead of wandering into opaque experimentation, as they’ve been known to do in the past, they corral those unruly elements into a series of hummable, memorable tunes.

Read Full Review >

Delusions of Adequacy

Roots & Crowns encircles the listener and flows effortlessly as each song melts into the next in bewitching bliss.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

Yeah, it’s a mite catchier than Heron King Blues, but Roots & Crows ain’t much of a stylistic shift from Rutili and pals’ earlier material.

Read Full Review >

Prefix Magazine

A beautiful back-porch album.

Read Full Review >

Drowned In Sound

At times much like a soundtrack to life’s sombre and reflective moments, Roots And Crowns’ clutter-free design is a nice reminder that good music needs no window dressing.

Read Full Review >

Urb

The studio noodling on Roots & Crowns sounds fittingly organic and effortless. [Oct 2006, p.117]

Spin

Here, [Califone] take a straighter path on their seventh album... but with the same basic ingredients. [Nov 2006, p.97]

Alternative Press

There's not a single song that's captivating enough to hold our attention. [Dec 2006, p.188]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 22 User Votes

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

Guy H gave it a7:
This seems to upset people but here goes... this album does have a similar sound to the more restrained songs on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is not a bad thing. The album is pretty solid - the vocals are merely functional at times though.

Reuben F gave it a7:
The stand out track of this LP 'Orchids' is a cover of a Psychic TV song of the same name, which is a little disappointing to discover. However, songs like 'Spider's House' and 'A Chinese Actor' are good without being brilliant, the whole album is consistent and their sound has a lot of promise.

t l gave it a10:
Where does Alternative Press get off giving Roots & Crowns a 4/10? Then, they go and give the most recent Ben Kweller CD a 10/10 (nothing personal, Ben). Jesus! What a bunch of idiots! How mainstream do you have to be before you're not allowed to use "Alternative" in your title?

Frank The Tank gave it a9:
I'm bias. Califone is one of my favorite bands and i think this album is incredible. Alternative Press better take their ritalin.

Fisherman's Wife gave it a9:
Truly a beautiful and richly layered album. Califone is like no other band I know of, and comparisons are difficult. Tim Rutili's rich voice keeps the soaring sounds of god-knows-what instruments grounded. Each song seems to have thousands of unique sounds, but the combination creates melodies that catch you so much that you can't shake them from your head. Califone has been compared to Wilco for their efforts to deconstruct and reconstruct folk songs using technology to futher the sonic experience. This is probably the best comparison, but I find Califone to be a much richer, more rewarding sonic experience. If you are looking for Jeff Tweedy's accessible lyrics to go with that, you may be disappointed. Califone's lyrics are as impressionistic as its comes. And live, this band is amazing.

paul gave it a9:
i whole heartedly agree with tristram - this band is taking americana to places wilco only wishes it could. i think the main thing missed by critics is that this record isn't a "pop" record - it's a collage of the future of american music. gets better with every listen. within my top 3 easily.

jonny k gave it a9:
Absolutely hypnotic, multi-layered, gorgeous, modern, handmade with acoustic, electric and digital sounds...warm and comfortable and instantly familiar Deja vu for the soul.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Roots & Crowns

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases