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No Need To Be Downhearted
EMAILPRINTby Electric Soft Parade
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Better Looking
Release Date: 24 April 2007
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
This is the third album for the English band led by brothers Alex and Tom White, who are also members of the band Brakes.
Also By This Artist: Holes In The Wall
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Brakes: Give Blood Brakes: The Beatific Visions
Also On The Web: ESP @ MySpace Official Artist Site
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...
Mojo
Full of regret, hard-won wisdom and DIY pop artistry, No Need To Be Downhearted transcends bog-standard indie to build a world of sophisticated melody and ingenious arrangements. [May 2007, p.112]
Dot Music
For the most part "No Need To Be Downhearted" is a gorgeous record - big music full of small touches.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Tom and Alex White prove to be consummate pop musicians on this release, carefully arranging an arresting collection of songs that carry you from track to track and hook to hook with skill.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Surprisingly invigorated. [May 2007, p.89]
Q Magazine
They appear to have found their level: one of rock's best-kept secrets. [May 2007, p.124]
All Music Guide
They've given up some of the whimsy and trippiness that marked their first two releases, but they've gained direction.
Read Full Review >Hartford Courant
The songs are lively and well put together, but sometimes they could be a little more fun.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
It’s hard to imagine a few stellar tracks and a well-flowing album being taken as a negative, but the result just isn’t enough to make these lads stick out.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
While the music is all over the place the vocals feel pinned down and flat.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
While they prove themselves exceptionally adept at juggling mutiple song dynamics, the melodies and sentiments expressed are surprisingly commonplace. [Summer 2007, p.79]
New Musical Express
When it strays from charmingly retro to willfully 'raw' it all goes wrong.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.8 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Big Sur gave it a10:
Beautifully crafted music. Those guys really know what they're doing, unlike the majority of critics who praise Panda Bear's one-note antics instead. Serious contender for best of 2007.
Simon gave it a10:
Taking this band too seriously, or trying to pigeonhole them, seems to contradict the spirit of their album. They remain the masters of intelligent pop song, capable of shifting mood without being wilfully difficult. What's more, their music is so damn enjoyable... so what the hell, enjoy it
Jakub M gave it a10:
It's amazing. Definitely their best record yet. Just sit and listen!!!
