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Couples
by The Long Blondes
The quintet from England uses influences from 1980s pop on its sophomore album produced by Erol Alkan.
| LABEL: |
Rough Trade |
| RELEASE DATE: |
06 May 2008 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rock, Pop |
NOTES: Original UK release 7 Apr 2008.
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...
90
musicOMH.com
Eloquent, glamorous, spirited and now more sonically innovative than ever, the quintet have affirmed their place as one of Britain's most exciting bands with this release.
90
Dot Music
Couples is simply a successful attempt to sound both different and better.
80
Uncut
Tracks like 'Couples' prove their trademark sound is still as strong (and smart) as ever. [May 2008, p.102]
80
The Guardian
From the sassy squeal of Here Comes the Serious Bit to the tension-cranking film noir of Round the Hairpin, Jackson's vocals are nuanced, and the band's punk past goes hand-in-hand with their pop future.
80
Delusions of Adequacy
In lyrics and music, The Long Blondes have managed to put out a sophomore album just as addictive and catchy as their debut "Someone To Drive You Home."
80
Drowned In Sound
With Couples they've managed to turn two years of inter-band heartache into an ambitious, forward-thinking pop record that tops their debut by quite some distance.
80
Mojo
They've forged a sound that's ambitious and close to unique. [May 2008, p.109]
80
PopMatters
Couples clearly demonstrates that, never mind the occasional misstep and overt Blondie influences, this is still one adventurous band who won’t be placed in a box anytime soon.
80
All Music Guide
It also strikes a blow for taking chances and not resting on your accomplishments, but most importantly, Couples is an exciting, challenging listen full of brains, daring, and plenty of icy heart.
70
Blender
The moody disco on Couples is both sleeker and spookier than the sexed-up indie rock of th Blondes' promising 2006 debut, "Someone to Drive You Home."
70
Under The Radar
This album reins in the melodrama, but the detached posturing that replaces it will liklely leave some fans feeling jilted. [Spring 2008, p.78]
70
Dusted Magazine
It's more cohesive than their debut, and just as catchy.
60
Prefix Magazine
The Long Blondes sophomore album, Couples, is a disappointing follow-up to their sublime 2006 debut, "Someone to Drive You Home," but not as disappointing as it initially appears.
60
New Musical Express
Despite the occasional flashes of brightness, it sounds like they’ve taken that brief (an homage to the mundanities of love) to heart.
60
Hot Press
Couples is by no means a terrible record, I just preferred The Long Blondes when they were young, free and single.
60
NOW Magazine
Its darker, brooding electro, like the mesmerizing distortion-filled Round The Hairpin, represents a newer, grown-up force for the Sheffielders that’s even more seductive than lip gloss and vintage heels.
60
Q Magazine
Their forays into electronica work best.... Sadly, there are too many one-dimensional guitar-pop songs that expose Jackson's flat, robotic voice. [May 2008, p.136]
58
Pitchfork
In an attempt to be taken seriously, they've sacrificed too much of their effervescent appeal--after all, enthusiasm and artfulness need not be mutually exclusive.
40
Tiny Mix Tapes
Couples proves that Kate is no Jarvis, and, more importantly, The Long Blondes are no Pulp.
40
Hartford Courant
This time, however, the subject matter is more mundane, and Jackson's flattened vocals are paired with less imaginative post-punk guitars and synths.
The average user rating for this album is 6.1 (out of 10) based on 72 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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