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Ganging Up On The Sun

EMAILPRINTby Guster

Guster reviews
76
8.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 13 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 30 votes
Read user comments
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Album Info

Label: Reprise

Release Date: 20 June 2006

Discs: 1 disc

Genre(s): Rock, Pop

Summary

Ron Aniello returns as producer on the acoustic-rock band's first studio outing in three years.

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...

83

Entertainment Weekly

Both expansive and dreamy. [23 Jun 2006, p.69]

80

All Music Guide

Ganging Up on the Sun is the work of a band who matters.

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80

The New York Times

Angst has rarely sounded sweeter than it does on "Ganging Up on the Sun," which swirls with classic vocal harmonies, vintage organs and lightly strummed guitars.

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80

Alternative Press

The sound of growing up has rarely sounded so self-assured. [Aug 2006, p.218]

80

Paste Magazine

What this band lacks in flash it more than makes up for in sheer musicality. [Aug 2006, p.88]

75

The Onion (A.V. Club)

It's pop music that's smart, and maybe even a little wise.

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70

Spin

With the band's pop instincts craftier than ever, these songs might even reach past the keg party. [Jul 2006, p.84]

70

Slant Magazine

The album is often as strong as Fountains Of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers.

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70

Prefix Magazine

Guster manage to let out a bit of their inner Oasis without sacrificing any of their "I-knew-them-first" credibility.

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70

Billboard

Guster's loudest and most ambitious effort to date.

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60

NOW Magazine

A pretty decent melancholy pop album that deserves to be heard outside of dormitories and campus bars.

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60

Delusions of Adequacy

Guster finally feels like a full band and not some cutesy sideshow act.

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60

PopMatters

This is just a good album--and at the end of the day, sometimes that’s all you need.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 30 User Votes

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

John V gave it an8:
Great CD after a few listens. Follows a natural maturation of the band.

Mark S gave it a9:
I haven't been able to keep this one off of the top of my stack of CD's almost a year later. For those of you only listening to MP3's at 128 m, do yourself a favor and get this on CD and play it on a good stereo or headphones. The production is incredible. Brilliant songwriting. My favorite of their albums so far.

Chris H gave it a9:
Real tight album with a real diversity within the album itself. Great songwriting, great use of varied instrumentation, and just easy to listen to.

Kate C gave it a9:
I LOVE this CD!!! I think it's am-a-za-zing!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark A gave it a10:
Simply amazing. Another great album.

Ben K gave it a7:
A record that seems to follow their progression away from the cutesy, bongo-driven sound of yesteryear. Ganging doesn't really grab you like anything off Lost and Gone Forever, but rather gives you soundscapes and soft pop melodies to sink into (or do homework to, whatever your pleasure). Good, original pop isn't always easy, but Guster makes it appear so. Also, I agree with "Greg H." Save the 10s for the handful of records that have changed your life. Even as a long-time Guster fan, it's hard to imagine Ganging as that influential a record...

dave g gave it a10:
Strong from top to bottom. Their most-realized work. Smart, tuneful and passionate.

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