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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
When I Pretend To Fall
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 8 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Barsuk
Release Date: 06 May 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
The one constant in the Seattle indie band The Long Winters is Alaska native John Roderick, who is joined on this sophomore effort by a host of musicians including Peter Buck (REM), Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) and Sean Ripple (American Analog Set), with Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) co-producing.
Also By This Artist: Putting The Days To Bed
Also On The Web: Long Winters @ Barsuk 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...
Alternative Press
A pop pin cushion that's incurably catchy, and as prickly as it is pretty. [Jun 2003, p.97]
PopMatters
When I Pretend To Fall is a mature and nuanced work, full of well-crafted songs and superior musicianship.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
The Long Winters get happy on this one, and Roderick's vibrant, newfound confidence as a showman and songwriter allows the Long Winters' sound to finally gel.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Heaves with harmonic charm. [Oct 2003, p.111]
Magnet
Basically, he's Bob Dylan in a hoodie. [#59, p.98]
Pitchfork
It's just straight rock and roll, really, and I mean really straight rock and roll.
Read Full Review >Blender
Brainy, brooding, classically "indie" guitar music. [#16, p.121]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Zach G gave it a10:
One of the best albums of the last five years, hands down. Every song could've been a single.
Cheese Man gave it a10:
This is a perfect album . And Oh , one could go on and on about the guest performances( Ken Strinfellow, Peter Buck, for instance) but there is no need as John Roderick finally fulfills all that promise from the Western State Huricane days.
Brian H gave it a 9:
Great album, and they're fun live too.
Jessica W gave it a 10:
i can't get enough of this album! "stupid" is a pure pop gem!
Scott P gave it a 9:
Incurably catchy, and you don't won't the cure. More intelligent than Rhett Miller's Instigator but up there in playability and longevity.
Shane H gave it a 10:
This album gets under your skin and it definitely does not end up back in the CD case. I've listened to it non-stop for days. The composer is a poet and the music is complex while also being upbeat and very melodic. Get it!
