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This is the best Grandaddy record thus far. [#19, p.92]

Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

In a time when so many bands don't know why they exist but keep on vanning anyway, his honest tale is touching and instructive.

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Lost At Sea

If this is Lytle’s last musical missive, he’s left us with a complete, if unfocused, dossier of his genius.

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cokemachineglow

So to those bored to tears by Sumday, take notice: though it fails to break any new ground, Just Like the Fambly Cat is as good a parting shot from these guys as we could have expected.

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Entertainment Weekly

Just Like the Fambly Cat shows Lytle at the top of his game. [12 May 2006, p.80]

Alternative Press

Cat finds the band still evoking the Flaming Lips and Neil Young during a journey filled with dashed hopes and the desire to get away. [Jun 2006, p.188]

The Guardian

A sad record, then, but an inspiring one too, offering the hope that the end of Grandaddy means a fresh start for Lytle.

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Billboard

This time, the gorgeous harmonies and lo-fi ELO homages remain, but the lyrics are more personal.

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All Music Guide

There is a depth of emotion and seriousness here that had been missing on Sumday, Lytle's vocals have a gravity they lacked before, and the bandmembers seem to mean every note they play this time.

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Playlouder

An album that rivals the brilliant 'The Sophtware Slump'... as their absolute masterpiece.

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Delusions of Adequacy

What could have been a boring, belligerent, and bellicose introspective slide into the music industry dustbin has in fact turned out to be one of Grandaddy’s most listenable and likeable releases.

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Uncut

Everything now seems as worn out and used up as Lytle's subjects, along with the imagery that brings them to life. [Jun 2006, p.108]

Stylus Magazine

Just Like the Fambly Cat, even more than Grandaddy's past works, carries the weight of death.

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Slant Magazine

It's a likeable little niche that Lyttle has carved out for himself in the indie-pop landscape, and, as he bids adieu to Grandaddy, one hopes that he continues to explore this style in ways that are more challenging than parts of Cat.

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Q Magazine

While there are hints of tiredness, Grandaddy are not leaving us with heads bowed. [Jun 2006, p.116]

New Musical Express

This is Americana of the highest order. [20 May 2006, p.33]

Pitchfork

It's all vaguely familiar, but Lytle's fine-grained production pops a freshmaker or two into the mix.

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Prefix Magazine

Just Like the Fambly Cat sounds like a Grandaddy album, but only in that it rehashes everything the band has already done.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

Just Like the Fambly Cat is appreciably better than its predecessor, but a far cry from the bliss we've all come to expect.

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BBC collective

Just Like… is no classic, but it’s enough to make for a teary goodbye.

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Spin

Equal parts bang and whimper. [Jun 2006, p.81]

Mojo

Fambly Cat's highpoints... stand with their very best. [Jun 2006, p.102]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Fambly's flabbiest moments sag pretty low, to the point that the album's midsection is almost entirely skippable.

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Blender

Song after song is undermined by too-precious gestures, and the occasional bursts of speed and volume can't mask Grandaddy's exhaustion. [Jun 2006, p.137]

PopMatters

Fambly Cat just serves to underscore how good Grandaddy has been by rehashing without improving or building.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

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

steve gave it an8:
fantastico . can't stop playing this kitty .

michelle m gave it a7:
i like grandaddy, but goddamn are they depressing.

Brendan gave it a10:
I don't know if it's the BEST Grandaddy record, but this is a pretty boss record in and of itself. From the creepy "What Happened?" to the stunning "Shangri-La," the record is again perfect from start to finish, the third time in a row Grandaddy's managed to do that. It's a pity they won't be putting out any more music; we've lost one of the greatest bands of the last decade this year.

saetta gave it a10:
Sad farwell from a band that rivals radiohead and pink floyd. Never got that recognition. I will miss them very much!

Mark M gave it a9:
Like all rock masterpices this album is enjoyable on first listen and plants tiny hooks in your brain. As the hooks grow you want to listen to nothing else. Thank you for one last blast of brilliance.

r b gave it a7:
Proves how subjective critiquing music can be. I can't help liking this album. The first music I remember hearing was dad blasting ELO, Floyd, and the Beatles. Fambly cat feels rushed, as if the band just wanted to get everything over and done with. But, I happily listen to the album over and over and won't get bored with it. Grandaddy's melodies and song structure must be in my DNA.

s k gave it a10:
10/10 i ll love them forever

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