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Under The Radar

Perhaps Harcourt's strongest asset is in making the hackneyed sound fresh. [#8, p.106]

PopMatters

Comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright certainly make sense, but the consistent personality of Strangers affirms Harcourt's unique talent.

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Splendid

It's the sound of a man in perfect harmony with himself.

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All Music Guide

A devastatingly accomplished album.

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Blender

The music is cheery even when the feelings are miserable; it's like rainy-day Smiths driven by pianos instead of guitars. [Mar 2005, p.140]

New Musical Express

Harcourt... has done the unthinkable: fallen in love with a laydee and made his "happy" album. Luckily for us, it's the best of his career. [11 Sep 2004, p.55]

Dot Music

If relationships were straightforward they’d be no need for albums like this. Thank god they aren’t.

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Entertainment Weekly

[A] slap-happy hodgepodge of an album. [4 Feb 2005, p.133]

ShakingThrough.net

The warmest, most life-affirming album of his still-budding career.

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Playlouder

This is probably the record that everyone who bought the Keane album should buy.

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Drowned In Sound

It's a very good effort, but ultimately it lacks the consistency of true greatness.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

There's little rhyme or reason to it, and the whole doesn't equal the sum of its parts. But many of the parts are worth noting.

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Urb

Clearly he's been listening to much Jeff Buckley... as Strangers throbs with that familiar bluesy bombast. [Mar 2005, p.112]

Magnet

Pretty and pleasant without ever being especially compelling. [#67, p.100]

Rolling Stone

Sodden ballads rear their mopey heads in the second half. [10 Feb 2005, p.80]

Tiny Mix Tapes

Harcourt's piano proficiency separates him artistically from guitarists who tinker with mere chord-banging to accompany lyrics. There are a few misshapen puzzle pieces on this one, though.

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Q Magazine

The intensity of his pain is inescapable in this exhausting explanation of what really becomes of the broken-hearted. [Oct 2004, p.124]

Mojo

Often he makes a lot of noise without really connecting. [Oct 2004, p.100]

Austin Chronicle

Suggests that he's finally coming into his own, albeit gradually and grudgingly.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes

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

matt a gave it a9:
I'm just glad that the pitchfork review isn't included because I'm sure they railed on it (although we still have to deal with the poor taste of Mojo and Q). Beautiful album. Just barely below his last CD in my opinion, but it's hard to really say because the two cd's are so different and he was obviously going for something new, something happier than the gorgeously dark From Every Sphere. His first cd may have been a mixed bag (with at least two classics in Hanging with the Wrong Crowd and Apple of My Eye) but his last two efforts have been all around solid and he has defenitely cememted himself has one of the most vital voices in british music right now.

Davis W gave it an8:
Ed makes some of the best pop songs today and this album brilliantly showcases his importance to music with incredibly beautiful music. "Loneliness" is easily one of the best songs in years.

Music Guy gave it a9:
The power of Ed's imagination and musicial skill always amazes on every CD he puts out. You honestly never know what he is going to sing about or the arrangments he will use. This makes him one of the most talented and exciting talents out right now. He is unfortunately unknown to a lot of people because he really can't be tagged with an easy label. Fans of real singer/songwriters would do themselves a favor by picking this up.

Mr O gave it a9:
Better than all of the overly sincear piano junk that seems to have caught on lately and far less poular. Strangers features some of Harcourts best songs in the fom of 'Lonliness' and 'The music box' to name a few. The only thing preventing it from getting 10 for me is the dodgy lyrics in the title track and the god awful 'kids (rise from the ashes)' but that's what the skip button was made for right? Lyrically Harcourt kicks the ---- out of most other artists and this, along with a charming oddness, is what really sets him apart. However you read the lyrics there's always something you connect with in either the music or the words. Be warned though... he is a very angry man... with cool hair.

Old Y gave it a9:
It beggar's belief that more people don't buy Harcourt's records - strong tunes and a great voice! Just buy people, before he gets dropped from his label!

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