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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Futureheads

Universal acclaim
Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 53 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: 679 / Sire
Release Date: 26 October 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
This debut LP from the English band certainly recalls English bands from the early 80s, most notably XTC.
Also By This Artist: News And Tributes This Is Not The World
Also On The Web: 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...
Alternative Press
Stop pretending that Morrissey is still relevant, that the Libertines are actually good and that you understand Radiohead. The Futureheads will give you everything you need, if you just let them. [Dec 2004, p.144]
No Ripcord
The reason The Futureheads is so good is because, quite simply, the music is simply stunning.
Read Full Review >Filter
The urgency of the music and the quality vocal and guitar hooks make this one of the best rock albums of the year. [#13, p.98]
Spin
They add enough kinks to the old herky-jerk formulae to make their half-hour in the sun blaze by like nobody's business. [Dec 2004, p.124]
Entertainment Weekly
Wisely keeps things short, sharp and shocked. [19 Nov 2004, p.85]
Pitchfork
The Futureheads rely on actual chops and the kind of melodic astuteness usually associated with piano-pop balladeers, and in doing so, they exhibit complete control over their music and intertwining vocal deliveries.
Read Full Review >Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
There's that Ramones sense that songs should be short like life, and that XTC sense that songs should be complicated like life.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
It begins to sink in that this band has performed a theoretical feat of Hawking proportions: it has devised a fool-proof formula for the unformulaic.
Read Full Review >Junkmedia
Sounding like a lost classic from Britain's 1979 art-punk scene, the Futureheads' debut is an assured masterpiece of twitchy, nervous pop.
Read Full Review >Delusions of Adequacy
Think Polyrock or Chairs Missing-era Wire in terms of the stripped-down elementalism of the instrumentation, but think Ikara Colt in terms of delivery.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
A confident, rampant holler that bristles with the energies of prime new wave, the proselytising vigour of the most barnstorming white soul, and the wry, cerebral kickback of most of the artier artists of the last thirty years.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
An exuberant debut. [Aug 2004, p.110]
New Musical Express
A sparkly, concise art-rock delight. [10 Jul 2004, p.47]
Urb
Explores the previously uncharted territory where shouty alt.rock meets a cappella vocals and skinny-tied new-wave melody. [Nov 2004, p.99]
Rolling Stone
The Futureheads reclaim pop punk from the Warped Tour crowd -- and revive it in the process.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
It's positively dizzying during the first few listens, but once listeners start to differentiate between each song, this album's sly pop rock genius is obvious.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
While a little more depth in their songwriting would make them unstoppable, the Futureheads' first full-length is an undeniably exciting debut that just gets better with repeated listens.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
The group's edgy, fast-paced New Wave 2K brand of rock recalls the sharp, nerdy delivery of XTC, the impassioned focus of the Jam and ping-ponging hooks reminiscent of the Vapors.
Read Full Review >Lost At Sea
Neither the songs’ structures nor their lyrics offer rich rewards after close listening and dissection.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
As all sugar-highs go, this can leave you a bit lightheaded before it's over. [#8, p.109]
Blender
The proceedings get a little bit samey, but the band's fearless optimism and knack for a bookish groove are hard to deny. [Dec 2004, p.140]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 53 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Dale P gave it a6:
Honestly can't see what the all the fuss is about.
Garrison S gave it a10:
I have just been introduced to the future heads yesterday when i bought the itunes playlist "Alt-Rock Workout" which contained "Hounds of Love". It is the only futureheads song i have heard yet, but i am very eager to hear more. The song is very catchy, and the Oh-oh oh gets stuck in your head. I definitely recommend it.
Elizabeth J gave it a10:
It so Great. WhEn i saw thm at the franz ferdinand cosetrt there songs were cool. I especially like 'sKip 2 tHe EnD'.
Deezer D gave it a9:
Great album. It really grows on you too.
Kirby's Avalanche . gave it a10:
An original ingredient added to a tried-and-true formula. Catchy brain-glue harmonys (Beach Boys) over angular skin-piercing rhythms (Gang of Four).
rubba dubba gave it a10:
super kick ass
Duncan S gave it a1:
Seriously one of the worst, most annoying records I've ever heard. The a capella, the "harmonising", the tuneless "mod-ness". Its only saving grace is the occasional decent lyric.
