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Billboard

Nothing they've done can match the pure pop beauty of "Puzzles Like You."

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New Musical Express

Mojave 3's Great Leap Forward. [17 Jun 2006, p.39]

All Music Guide

Regardless of tempo, these are some of the strongest, most involving songs the band has ever recorded.

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Prefix Magazine

Mojave 3's new material isn't an abandonment of any strengths; it's an embrace of the simple pleasures of the classic '60s garage-pop style of songwriting.

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PopMatters

Puzzles Like You contains the excellent balladry expected from Halstead, but the real surprise is the decidedly up-tempo guitar pop that blows away any conceptions of the band as purveyors of a countrified blend of mope rock.

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Filter

If anything, Neil Halstead & Co. turn things a few shades brighter with Puzzles Like You. [#20, p.104]

Pitchfork

The better part of this record is certainly charming, even more likeable than the folk that came before it... The only problem is that the magic fades.

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Dot Music

"Puzzles Like You" may not stay the distance but there's certainly enough here to gain Mojave 3 the wider audience they deserve.

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Paste Magazine

Puzzles' songs are accelerated to the point of whiplash. [Jun/Jul 2006, p.128]

Uncut

Too lo-fi for its own good. [Jul 2006, p.102]

The Guardian

The brisker numbers rub shoulders with Belle & Sebastian; the janglier ones Teenage Fanclub.

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Under The Radar

There’s a wealth of experimenting going on in the studio with Puzzles Like You, and it creates a timeless A.M. radio sound. [#14]

Spin

Bear[s] the mark of Big Star. [Jul 2006, p.85]

Urb

Eschews gauzy isolation to embrace the heartfelt immediacy of chiming, breezy pop in a Big Star way. [Jun 2006, p.119]

Dusted Magazine

Puzzles Like You... is not at all Halstead's best work, and what has sounded simple and subtle before begins to feel simplistic and blunt; the songs here move with an energy that seems either forced or mocking, and on the whole embrace the kind of triteness they used to offset.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes

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

ryan s gave it a9:
i don't understand the reviews. normally i agree with the bulk of reviews but it seems critics missed the boat on this album. stop harboring the its not slowdive angst and enjoy the barage of gorgeous 60's pop.

Jon L gave it a9:
Absolutely incredible. Their best album yet by far.

pete f gave it a10:
I listened this album today at the bus on the way to the beach and I found myself crying of joy

Paul gave it an8:
I was surprised by how upbeat this album is. A great sunny, summer, pop record made by a group who usually makes music for late night listening. I don't hear a Big Star influence as mentioned in other reviews. This sounds more informed by 60's pop than anything.

gernick k gave it a10:
Who needs critics?? Uncut bangs on about the recording quality for god's sake. The album sounds warm and there's only a few niggles on my part. (man with his trousers shorter...?!). But Puzzles like youmakes me warm inside. Breaking the ice makes my weep with joy. To wield that kind o power with just some instruments means Mojave 3 (with or without Rachel, but hopefully soon with!) are near godlike geniuses. I love all there stuff but this is so precious to me now, i can hardly find the words.

calvin hobbes gave it a10:
One of the best album I heard this year. My real vote is 8 or 9 but I give it 10 only for the Uncut's score: I recently hate their reviews...).

mike s. gave it a7:
Great guitar pop album, a bit of a rip off of big star, but still good production and melodies, decent songwriting and a couple of singles make this album stand out.

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