|

New & Current Releases
Archives: A-Z Index
Advanced Search
Upcoming Release Calendar
All-Time High (And Low) Scores
Best Of 2008
Best Of 2007
Best Of 2006
Best Of 2005
Best Of 2004
Best Of 2003
Best Of 2002
Best Of 2001
Best Of 2000
How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Music In Our Forums

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
|
Bem-Vinda Vontade
by Mice Parade
Adam Pierce's fifth Mice Parade album adds a greatly increased vocal presence (by Pierce, Ikuko Harada and Mum's Kristin Anna Valtysdottir) to his tropicalia-infused post-rock.
| LABEL: |
Bubble Core / Fat Cat |
| RELEASE DATE: |
03 May 2005 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock |

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
The Wire
A complex and challenging listen. [#257, p.61]
90
Magnet
Sparkles with glittering innovations. [#68, p.102]
80
Almost Cool
It's a melodic, pop album that doesn't pay attention to any typical structures or formulas, and Adam Pierce has pulled off another winner.

80
musicOMH.com
Adam Pierce has concocted a cogitative brew, a fountain of trills 'n' thrills, that has the noisy echo of '80s New York noise bands, glimpses of the Fusion and Latin flair that transfixes the likes of Fila Brasilia and Jimpster, and the gossamery drift of Scandinavian techno-pop.

80
PopMatters
Although finely tuned and well orchestrated, the album never panders by creating an artificial sense of drama or relying on familiar rock tropes.

80
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Continues the Brasilia bent of last year's Obrigado Saudade, enjoying the freedom of stumbling beats and washes of warm sound.

80
Urb
Pierce has broken down another barrier between elusive genius and sheer pleasure. [Jun 2005, p.79]
80
Playlouder
This is a standout record even by his high standards.

80
Splendid
There's a feeling of constant evolution over the course of any given track; subtle changes in swing, intonation and attack let you in on the secret that this is no automaton, but a living, breathing entity that's being brought into existence.

80
Junkmedia
Mice Parade is an original, hovering over multiple traditions without disturbing any of them.

70
Tiny Mix Tapes
Pierce sinks his heart into his music, and while that may not manifest in impassioned yelping or big rock riffs, the exquisiteness of his playing and songcraft make it apparent.

70
Mojo
Richly textured percussion, thrumming nylon-string guitars, discreet electronics and sundry guest vocalists. [Jul 2005, p.105]
70
No Ripcord
Rather than the nostalgic, distant wistfulness of last year’s work, Bem-vinda is much more open, and while there are complex rhythms and arrangements in abundance, none of this gets in the way of some eminently hummable tunes.

64
Pitchfork
So much of Bem-Vinda Vontade sounds so nice, with guitar and drum textures as lovely as anything the band has attempted. But the singing seems tacked on and the music suffers, resulting in Mice Parade's least consistent album.

60
Paste Magazine
Pierce could still use lessons from Stereolab or Aloha on how to shape textures into songs. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.133]
60
Under The Radar
His more expansive numbers could benefit from even further collaboration. [#10, p.116]
40
Alternative Press
For the wide-awake, it's a crashing bore. [Aug 2005, p.164]

The average user rating for this album is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Discuss this album in our forums |
|