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...

100

Alternative Press

Accessible enough for people who learn about new music from [NPR] and sonically interesting enough to appeal to hardcore electroheads. [May 2004, p.110]

Delusions of Adequacy

Faking the Books is one of the best albums to come out so far this year.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

Another truly wondrous record. [May 2004, p.99]

Playlouder

The sheer enveloping bliss elicited by hearing the album in one sitting (especially in public – 'Faking The Books' is a headphone masterpiece and no mistake) leaves one wishing it were a whole lot longer than its taut 40-minute duration.

Read Full Review >

Urb

Their sound is an interesting polyglot, one as easily accessible to dance minimalists and brown corduroy-wearing emo boys, and with nary a compromise. [Apr 2004, p.86]

No Ripcord

Faking the Books... is to Tridecoder and Scary World Theory as OK Computer was to The Bends – a quantum evolutionary leap that, taken consecutively, quite takes your breath away.

Read Full Review >

All Music Guide

Electronic elements balance out the harsh guitars with regularity, resulting in a handful of full-blown zingers.

Read Full Review >

Q Magazine

Seductive, breathy and forlorn, [Trebeljahr] sounds like a more ethereal Sarah Cracknell. Oh, and the songs are top drawer, too. [May 2004, p.104]

Logo

If invention and imagination are the criteria to judge, this is a future classic.

Read Full Review >

ShakingThrough.net

Faking the Books is a small forward step rather than a dramatic leap for Lali Puna -- which, all things considered, is still a step in the right direction.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

Faking the Books is a confident stride in the right direction, and proves that, even within the confines of a tired concept, a great hook still goes a long way.

Read Full Review >

Lost At Sea

Tarnished as it is, Faking The Books is still a treasure. Ignore the ham-fisted political treatises and enjoy it for what it is: a streamlined marvel of IDM song architecture.

Read Full Review >

Junkmedia

Faking the Books loses some momentum beneath a glut of precious, minimal electro-ballads that dot the album.... But the album succeeds brilliantly on the louder numbers.

Read Full Review >

Splendid

Yes, Lali Puna are taking the Radiohead Route. Not just thematically, either: the tone and ambience of Faking the Books is as detached and cold as Amnesiac was, though more straightforward: there are more "straight" guitars and "actual" drums on this album.

Read Full Review >

The Wire

A streamlined combination of motorik rhythms, electronic textures and tuneful choruses. [#242, p.72]

Stylus Magazine

They touch greatness at several points, if never truly digging their nails in and grabbing hold.

Read Full Review >

Dusted Magazine

In forgoing the lifeblood of dynamic and passion, the creative minds behind the project fall to maximize its potential, however agreeable their compositions may be.

Read Full Review >

Tiny Mix Tapes

Listening to Faking the Books makes you feel utterly alone; and maybe that's the whole point.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes

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

Benjamin Bunny gave it an 8:
Doesn't quite reach the artistic heights of The Notwist's similar "Neon Golden," nevertheless "Faking The Books" contains some extremely catchy and gorgeous songs that sound best when played over and over and over...

andreas r gave it a 9:
if u loved scary theories...this one will really surprise you!!

Patrick gave it an 8:
A very enjoyable album. It gives that great tipe of prot-techno that has all but disappeared in modern electornica. A great throwback to the days of Kraftwerk. And the tracks are really tight. The Chord progressions work, and the synth lines are rather progressive

wacky man gave it a 9:
proves that rock and techno can go hand in hand You don't need computers to make techno, their sound creates the same atmosphere just like can did in the seventies playing at festivals this summer be sure to check them out

mark f gave it a 7:
This album is listed by genre as electronic and you'll have to find it at the dance section at the store, but if your idea of electronic is early New Order fronted by the singer of Young Marble Giants (or if that's too obscure, maybe Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo), then you should enjoy this. It very well could also appeal to Radiohead Heads (count me in) who appreciate the later stuff. Fully half of the songs seem rock to me. Anyhow, I hope the ravers don't think they've turned their backs on them and the rockers give it a chance.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Faking The Books

Album Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases