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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
The Smell Of Our Own
EMAILPRINTby The Hidden Cameras
Universal acclaim
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Rough Trade / Sanctuary
Release Date: 06 May 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Pop, Rock
Summary
If you can picture an explicitly gay version of the Polyphonic Spree recording church music, then you have a general idea of this unconventional debut album from Toronto, Canada's Hidden Cameras.
Also By This Artist: Awoo Mississauga Goddam
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...
Entertainment Weekly
Sounds like a partnership ceremony between R.E.M. and the Magnetic Fields, with Phil Spector presiding. [Listen 2 This supplement, May 2003, p.25]
Playlouder
As long as you are open, you will love this album. It will be as important to a lot of people as 'The Queen Is Dead'.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
With an open approach to queer sexuality and radical politics, The Smell of Our Own offers an alternative to the saccharine teen spirit we're so used to sniffing. It's a sensual celebration of stinky, real-life sexuality.
Read Full Review >Mojo
It transcends gender and genre. [Apr 2003, p.98]
Alternative Press
In the indie universe, rarely do groups making such live spectacles have albums to back up the show--but this charming, smart, lush pop is a notable exception. [June 2003, p.97]
Blender
The Cameras mix sex and spirituality over a gorgeous bed of organs, harps and 12-part harmonies. [May 2003, p.120]
Q Magazine
Imagine if a Morrissey-style frontman--sharp, tender and taboo-breaking--was also sexual. [May 2003, p.107]
Delusions of Adequacy
More religious text and tapestry than commercial pop folk, The Smell of Our Own charts its own territory through the heart and head and holes of celebratory love. Truly unique.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
The album almost sounds like an original cast recording of a musical -- the next best thing to being there, but not the same by a long shot.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
Gibb’s passionate vocals and direct, literate lyrics work best when he’s confronting issues that concern him (like organized religion, for instance), as opposed to wallowing in less confrontational topics (as when he frolics happily on the beach with “Boys Of Melody”).
Read Full Review >Uncut
Gibb's mixture of gay and Christian imagery is potent, and his vision of music as a grand communal experience is backed up by some memorable tunes. [Apr 2003, p.112]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Kristian J gave it a 9:
These songs have been lliving inside my head for quite a while now. It makes me wanna do the front singer so much. even when he's singing about how he loves pee!
Erica K gave it a 9:
For me, this was one of those rare albums that seemed to open up a new window. It's great when something like that happens to blow the dust off the limits of what you though were your tastes. The lyrics are at once clever, sensitive, and shocking and the music divine.
ron k gave it a 10:
this album is one of the best I've heard lately, the harmonies are exceptional, very catchy & addictive,who cares if they are gay & proud of it, I can get into this lp if I want!
Kirsty D gave it a 9:
Absolutely, totally lush.
L J gave it a 9:
If Greg Araki (ask someone old enough to remember 'pride' and 'queer') wrote songs for Belle and Sebastian, the Brothers Gibb and the Polyphonic Spree (if they had balls), and if Brian Wilson produced, then this is what it might sound like. Barring 'Ban Marriage' which is instantly likeable, the rest of the album took four listens for me to think it was a very, very fine record.
paul ha gave it a 9:
Exquisitely, explicitly enjoyable.
