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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
To Survive
EMAILPRINTby Joan As Police Woman
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Reveal
Release Date: 10 June 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Alternative, Indie
Summary
The sophomore album for Joan Wasser features Rufus Wainwright as a guest vocalist on one track.
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...
All Music Guide
While "Real Life" was so fully realized that it seemed to have a life of its own, To Survive feels more like songs written by somebody than something that materialized because it had to.
Read Full Review >Drowned In Sound
'To America’ comes across very much a modern take on West Side Story replete with fine vocal performances from its central pair, sweeping strings and ebullient brass, it’s a jubilant finale to an album that, while never quite surpassing the evocative beauty of the band’s first, matches it with a keen flourish.
Read Full Review >Observer Music Monthly
It's much darker, more contemplative territory; the songs are like intimate nocturnes located somewhere between classical and soul.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
Her emotion-rich songs have become tender affirmations, such as the hope-sprinkled 'Honor My Wishes.' And the needling guitar, soulful brass and gothic piano of her "punk rock R&B" are more evocative than ever.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
An uncompromising work from an uncompromising artist, To Survive doesn't zip or sizzle. But yield to its gentle undulations and its hypnotic, brooding and utterly original genius becomes clear.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Voice and piano are to the fore, but Wasser's orchestrations pulse and ebb like living things. [July 2008, p.102]
musicOMH.com
Joan Wasser has shown herself to be an assured torch singer and original artist. To Survive is a challenge at times, but ultimately rewarding.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
To Survive, however, ignites enough fireworks of its own. [July 2008, p.1112]
Paste Magazine
On To Survive, her second release under the moniker Joan As Police Woman, she casts the same torchy, seductive, chamber-pop spell that made her debut "Real Life" such a pleasure, only doing it even more effectively this time.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
This music can be difficult, but through its brooding emotional core and sophisticated, understated arrangements To Survive is also one of the most satisfying albums of 2008, melancholic and unloveable though it may often be.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
Wasser’s a collaborator at heart (she was a charter member of the Dambuilders and worked with Lou Reed, Antony & the Johnsons and Rufus Wainwright, who guests on “To America”), and she sounds most natural when she’s backed by horns and keys and backing vox and slinky grooves.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Despite a few lapses into the conventional, Wasser has crafted the deepest and most profound album of her career. [Summer 2008]
Magnet
To Survive is both sparser and more polished than last year's "Real Life." [Summer 2008, p.107]
Read Full Review >PopMatters
While it doesn’t quite bring one up short as "Real Life" did, To Survive does something arguably even more valuable; it shows that the debut was in no way a fluke, and that Joan As Police Woman are in this for the long haul.
Read Full Review >Spin
For her second album, she flexes more ambition, and the results are rewarding. [June 2008, p.110]
Read Full Review >Mojo
Given the backdrop to Joan Wasser's second album was her mother's passing to cancer, it's unsurprising that To Survive also packs a soporific sadness that can be draining despite our hostess's artistry. [July 2008, p.110]
Boston Globe
Its title notwithstanding, To Survive is JAPW's happy-in-love album, and the lack of tension--romantic, musical, or otherwise--causes it to drag.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
It starts strong (with the pensive 'Honor Wishes'), and ends on a high note (with the title track leading into 'To America,' Wasser's duet with Wainwright). Unfortunately, the middle of the album, burdened with turgid low points.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Dejan S. gave it an8:
Not good as debut, but hell yes, this album is some kind of magic dream!
Chris C gave it a9:
I had high expectations and hopes as REAL LIFE was my album of the year last year. What I loved about that great record is here in spades - a real composer's approach to song writing and production, real maturity in sculpting sound towards a heartfelt end. More very subtle Satie references don't hurt. The sound is more ambitious and reflects a worldliness that still allows for vulnerability and - get this - no cynicism ! A unique and valuable artist - finally someone to inherit Kate Bush's crown.
matt allen gave it an8:
Real Life had the more obvious singles and stellar moments, but To Survive is cohesive and flows beatifully. Like Feist before her, lets hope Joan Wasser gets a larger following after this gem.
