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Split The Difference

EMAILPRINTby Gomez

Gomez reviews
71
9.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
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Album Info

Label: Virgin

Release Date: 18 May 2004

Discs: 1 disc

Genre(s): Alternative, Rock

Summary

The UK five-piece worked with producer Tchad Blake for this fourth LP.

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...

91

E! Online

Think of it as more of a mix tape because the British quintet's jam-band explorations dip into everything from Beatles-esque pop and Delta-blues-influenced ballads.

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90

All Music Guide

For those who have been waiting for Gomez to come up with something that truly rivals their amazing debut Bring It On, wait no longer. This one is great.

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90

Stylus Magazine

In Split the Difference, Gomez has not lived up to, but surpassed, their initial success.

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80

The Guardian

In looking beyond pure innovation, Gomez have poured some heart into their blues.

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80

PopMatters

They're such a pleasure to listen to because they hear the past and thrive on it, learning from what musicians did before them, and not repeating all of the same mistakes.

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80

The New York Times

If only all stupid rock music could be this intelligent.

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80

Filter

Rather than trying to funk up and freak out the tunes with oddball sonic contributions, the fivesome rely heavily on the strength of their three-part harmonies and the head-bouncing guitar hooks. [#10, p.90]

80

Billboard

The British answer to Fountains of Wayne.

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75

Entertainment Weekly

While the hooks could be sharper, [Tchad Blake's] hand clearly makes the Difference. [28 May 2004, p.124]

70

Dot Music

As an album it’s so random and erratic that it’s neither a brave step forward nor a disastrous wrong turn; just an entertaining detour while they workout where they’re actually going.

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70

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Split The Difference isn't as strong as In Our Gun, but it does show Gomez continuing to explore relaxed, earthy songwriting, with fruitful results.

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70

Rolling Stone

On most of Split The Difference... Gomez pour on the punch that makes their live shows such a gas. [27 May 2004, p.82]

68

ShakingThrough.net

Split the Difference simply isn't very engaging.

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60

Uncut

Tracks such as "Where Ya Going?" and "Chicken Out"... make them sound like Southport's answer to ZZ Top. But there's plenty more going on that doesn't involve such dumbing-down. [Jul 2004, p.107]

60

Tiny Mix Tapes

If you've enjoyed Gomez's musical direction in the last six years, you're sure to take pleasure in listening to Split The Difference.

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60

Q Magazine

Unusually direct. [Jun 2004, p.98]

57

Pitchfork

So Split the Difference is an opportunity missed, with Gomez settling into a safe, well-worn ocean colour scene at a time when an adventurous indie/jamband hybrid might've clicked with Lollapaloozers.

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40

Logo

Unfortunately, whereas sounding out of place in the late 90s worked in their favour, in the mid-noughties the lack of pretty faces, Converse Allstars and - perhaps most important of all - any half-decent tunes is unlikely to bring Gomez first prize even in their local pub’s battle of the bands.

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30

Magnet

By stripping away the symphonic, avant edge... [Gomez] loses much of what made it unique in the first place. [#64, p.96]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

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

tim e gave it a10:
Their finest work to date. One of the best albums of the decade. :-)

Ash B gave it a10:
Gomez at their best. Dig these songs... Catch Me Up, Do One, These 3 Sins

Rob Pep gave it a10:
Amazing album that just keeps on getting better with every listen!

Rimmer Rimmer gave it a10:
Gomez is the only band I have consistently listened to for around 3 year now.. In the hope of not sounding too gushing... They are simply the most creative bunch of string plucking individuals I have heard for year... In Our Gun got a bit of a roasting by the press but it's much more of an album than so many blinkered reviewers could have found themselves listening too..

Todd B gave it a 9:
If you want the truth on this album then just notice that the lower the score given by the critics, the more superficial the review. I actually didn't like this album the first time I heard it but it just gets better and better with each listen. Gomez continues to lay absolute claim to the title of the world's best unknown band.

Jason S gave it a 10:
Superb Album. with such musical variation, a band with three songwriters with different vision create a musical event that cannot be missed. a must have.

cinthya g gave it a 10:
sheer brilliance!

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