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

Urb

The vocals are where Murphy has developed the most, trading in his Mark E. Smith yelp for various crooning styles. [Jan/Feb 2007, p.75]

100

The Guardian

This is dance-rock for grown-ups: extraordinary.

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100

musicOMH.com

Taken end to end, Sound Of Silver is a thrilling, exhilarating ride on a fast machine.

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100

Los Angeles Times

Murphy succeeds by stretching in two directions — finding a new musical center, and showing his humanity beyond the laughs.

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100

Playlouder

'Sound Of Silver' is the album of the year.

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100

Hartford Courant

It's a straight-up masterpiece, blending indie-rock attitude and clattering dance beats with lethal sardonic humor.

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Pitchfork

As close to a perfect hybrid of dance and rock music's values as you're likely to ever hear.

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Entertainment Weekly

While Sound of Silver still delivers terrific buzzy dance-space jams ... it also contains wispy hints of New Order and Bowie... and Murphy's best song-making efforts to date.

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Stylus Magazine

Yes, of course, it’s a total homage to his favorite music—but it’s an extraordinarily moving one, both emotionally and physically.

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Uncut

Rarely has anyone making such exciting and fashionable music been so unapologetic about being mature, too. [Apr 2007, p.97]

Dusted Magazine

Make no mistake – the beats are still rigid, dabbling in taut funk and squelching electro as much as snotty punk moves and glorious polyrhtyhms. These nine songs, however, ring with a clarity of purpose and a true intent that was previously altogether lacking, presenting a far more cohesive image of Murphy and his many strengths.

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Hot Press

The most extraordinary aspect of the album is that Murphy has managed to simultaneously make his music both more experimental and more thrillingly danceable.

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Spin

Over and over, these songs reveal how a wisecracking record geek can still achieve rapture. [Mar 2007, p.98]

BBC collective

This is music that hits the head, heart and hips all at once.

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Observer Music Monthly

It's occasionally like a dream collaboration between Bill Hicks and New Order, with Giorgio Moroder producing.

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Under The Radar

A big, fun, and passionate record that sounds enormous. [#16, p.92]

The New York Times

The strongest stuff of Mr. Murphy’s career.

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All Music Guide

Compared to the first LCD Soundsystem album, Sound of Silver is less silly, funnier, less messy, sleeker, less rowdy, more fun, less distanced, more touching.

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Dot Music

[A] strong contender for album of the year.

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Lost At Sea

Cleaned up, stripped down, and melding dance music seamlessly with post-punk, Sound Of Silver is as solid as a dance album can get.

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Prefix Magazine

As a cohesive album and a personal statement, Sound of Silver is superior in most every way.

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Mojo

A fantastic consolidation of everything good about LCD. [Apr 2007, p.108]

Q Magazine

Not only do the rhythms here sound tighter and more intensely focused, Murphy's presence as a songwriter and frontman is a revelation. [Apr 2007, p.110]

No Ripcord

I’d be surprised if the genre can produce anything much better than this.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Sure, lots of other people have done this lately, but few do it with Murphy's flair.

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Almost Cool

In the end, the nine songs and fifty-five minutes of Sound Of Silver find LCD Soundsystem really hitting a stride. It's no less playful, but at the same time it's more focused and varied. This is one I'm glad I gave a chance.

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Drowned In Sound

While opening track ‘Get Innocuous’ gently apes his own ‘Losing My Edge’ for the first minute and a half, the rest of the LP gradually moves onwards and upwards; either improving and tightening the previous template, or trying new things altogether.

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New Musical Express

Whereas Murphy's wise enough never to let his showing off spoil the fun, he can't avoid investing these songs with heart and soul.

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NOW Magazine

This sounds more like an album and less like a collection of singles and ideas, and the pop and funk elements are a bit more refined than before.

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ShakingThrough.net

Mostly he just wants to make big, fun, Bowie-esque declamations or work out a nervy punk jones.

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Sputnikmusic

The great thing about this album is the same as was great about the last full length LCD Soundsystem album, and that is its effortless blend and execution of mix.

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Billboard

The lyrics brim with grouchy wit. [24 Mar 2007]

PopMatters

You won’t likely be amazed this time around, but be prepared to be thoroughly satisfied, all the same.

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Amazon.com

True, LCD's music is not for everyone, which may have something to do with why their fans love them as they do. If you fall into the latter category, however, Silver is gold.

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Blender

Turns out there's a functioning soul beneath the smirk. [Apr 2007, p.115]

Vibe

He's winking, sure, but this time it's through real tears. [Apr 2007, p.134]

Magnet

I can't help but think we've all been here before. [#75, p.102]

Alternative Press

Merely okay. [Apr 2007, p.194]

cokemachineglow

It’s entertaining, sure, but also empty and a bit soulless.

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Slant Magazine

Murphy's willfully pretentious métier, his intentionally inadequate lyrics, and his monotonous sequencing expose a genuine fear of dance.

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Austin Chronicle

Someone please get this man his edge back.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 159 User Votes

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

John B. gave it a9:
It took a long time for this album to grow on me. At first it sounded like the last album, only minus much of the wit that made the last one so enjoyable. But over the last year I have continued to listen to it over and over and I have realized what a great achievement it is. It is a truly adult album in a genre focused primarily on youth. As a 30 something year old, who spent a lot of time partying in my 20s, "All My Friends" is a poignant reconciliation and in a time when Americans are despised around the world "North American Scum" is an uplifting anthem. I love it.

E K gave it an8:
I hated it when I first heard it, it keeps growing on me though. One thing thats tough to argue is how good he is at writing words, the lyrics in someone great are superb.

Dav N. gave it a9:
"Sound of Silver", in it's use of absolutely stunning beats, rhythms, fusion of music, and values, immediately reminded me of one of the best album's of the 80's, Talking Head's "Remain In Light". It's pure originality and effectiveness in sound makes it the most accessible best album of 2007 so far. If you are even slightly attracted to beat and rhythm, you will be pleased by "Sound of Silver".

Tim T. gave it a3:
This album was a big disappointment. Both CDs of the last album were utter gold, but this Album only holds a mere 2 tracks that I enjoy. Even Murphy's jokes suck on this venture, the best joke on the album featured in the title track "Sound of Silver" is used as the only lyrics in the whole 4+ minute song, I got sick of the most witty thing on the album, less than a minute into the song. The only thing I am really impressed with on this album is "North American Scum" which is, in my opinion, Murphy's best song to date. Just not enough innovation and improvement to Murphy's sound for me to like it.

J Z. gave it an8:
The first half of the album is superb but I think it drops off a bit toward the end. Agreeing with everyone about someone great and all my friends, great stuff. I also thought all my friends sounded like a U2 track, cheers sanjeev it does sound a lot like streets have no name.

Luke gave it a9:
Best album of the year thus far. It would have been a brilliant album if it wasn't for "All my friends." I don't get why people like that song. It's nowhere close to being as good as the rest of the album. Very Dancey, very stimulating album. Thumbs up!

Jon C. gave it a0:
I honestly don't know what people see in this "band." I don't know how they can actually consider this music. It's just...you know...noise. A bad noise too.

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