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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Universal acclaim
Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 65 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Memphis Industries
Release Date: 04 October 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Dance
Summary
The fun, energetic collage of danceable, mainly instrumental music (genre names don't really apply here) on this debut disc from England's The Go! Team recalls, if only somewhat, the debut from The Avalanches.
Also By This Artist: Proof of Youth
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...
Lost At Sea
Thunder, Lightning, Strike is simply amazing. It is filled with boundless, glorious noise, sewing together flamboyance, quirkiness, sturdy sampling, and a well-traveled feel that can take you anywhere you want to go.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
Full of exuberant, childlike pastiche pop. [7 Oct 2005, p.76]
All Music Guide
Cinematic, fantastic, and essential to all who want their music larger than life and rambunctious, Thunder, Lightning, Strike is the kind of record that makes you glad to be alive.
Read Full Review >Paste Magazine
Sounds like a mostly live interpretation of... The Avalanches' intricate party collages doubling as three-minute music history lessons. [#13, p.118]
Splendid
This is one of those rare albums where every single track is a keeper and killer hooks abound.
Read Full Review >Slant Magazine
It's so overwhelmingly happy and thrilling a musical statement that it would justify even a few more exclamation points.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
A challenge to even the most hardened depressive, Thunder, Lightning, Strike finds one way after another to shake new pleasures out of old material.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
The Go! Team's eclectic soundclash makes us feel deliriously dizzy. [11 Sep 2004, p.53]
cokemachineglow
Think of it as a party invitation: it is as thrilling and original a debut as has come out this year, and one that leaves an ingenious sonic blueprint to build upon.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Though they certainly do their fair share of sampling, they tend to use fragments as a means of fleshing out the battling, overdriven guitars, triumphant trumpet lines, and drum assaults that seem to break through walls with the barreling force of a thousand Kool-Aid men.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
Although by the record's second half the brassy, treble-kicked sound wears a little thin, there are enough gems to keep the release fresh through the end of its 35 minutes.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
"Thunder, Lightning, Strike" is an immensely derivative album, but one which cuts and pastes its influences in a strikingly original way. Chiefly, by piling them all on at once.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
I defy anyone not to seep happiness through the pores of their skin once in possession of this record.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Thunder, Lightning, Strike was hailed as a pop masterpiece when it came out in the U.K. late last year, but clearing all the samples held up its U.S. release until now. Wait no longer.
Read Full Review >Blender
It sounds so damn joyous. [Nov 2005, p.134]
Prefix Magazine
Thunder, Lightning, Strike is for people who love music that hits them over the head with the sheer enjoyment of the human ability to rock.
Read Full Review >No Ripcord
It’s all tons of fun, and is almost guaranteed to cheer you up with its overwhelming chirpiness.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
By the time "Everyone's a V.I.P. to Someone" brings Thunder, Lightning, Strike to cinematic closure, you're all out of breath and wanting to ride again.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
Like a deliriously evanescent pep rally from the Outer Limits.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
What makes Thunder... such an easy-to-love affair is the schoolyard exuberance they ply their tunes with.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
I’d imagine Thunder Lightning Strike will not age well nor reward a thousand listens, but for what it attempts to do, and succeeds, it’s worthy of attention.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
They cram in so many styles it could easily come across too clever, like a band that claims to be equally inspired by Wu Tang, Cheap Trick and Cher. It doesn't happen. The tracks have a life apart from the name-that-tune layering that drives their sound.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
They're like a five-member Polyphonic Spree wearing Urban Outfitters, jacked up on Jolt cola, and rocking out in their garage with a bunch of instruments bought from a pawn shop. [#7]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 65 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bam gave it a10:
Huddle Formation's awesome.
gavin j gave it a9:
This CD is amazing. The mere catchyness that the songs have will bring the listener back and back for more Great music. If you want some great pop melodies look no further than this album. TRUST ME (John D- TV tunes??? i hear music with melody.)
joris gave it a10:
Sorry but this is way better than the Avalanches... Just lisen to Ladyflash or Pantherdash! Recalls the sixties in glorous stereo, a magnificent colelction of songs and one of the better debutes to come out this decennium. Word.
Nick B gave it a10:
This albums full of catchy, less standard tunes where the vocals aren't as apparent as they usually are, and there is a heavy focus on the instrumentation. Also, Joe D is full of crap because I saw them live too and they were amazing and full of energy. It was also cool that they would switch instruments between songs.
mr. hankey gave it an8:
A standout album of 2005 because of it's inventive ideas and catchy riffs. The album is not music but is an overall show in your bedroom. You listen and enjoy but still it has some pros and cons. The pros standout the most but the cons always come in there. For example sometimes the album will sound as if no one is trying at all as if it is a mess that doesn't work and is not beautiful but ugly. A pro would be the unusual cheerleading anthems that are placed in this hell of a good album. I hope their sophomore effort is as interesting as their first.
Jonathan D gave it a10:
Uplifting, crazy, dance-a-thonic... I love every second of it!
Kid A gave it a10:
12" of pure energy
