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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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The Volunteers
by Onelinedrawing
Onelinedrawing is the alter ego for Sacramento, Calif.-based singer/guitarist Jonah Matranga, formerly of the emo band Far.
| LABEL: |
Jade Tree |
| RELEASE DATE: |
23 March 2004 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock, Emo |
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...
83
Entertainment Weekly
One of the most expansive "punk" records in recent memory: hushed vocals, toy pianos, and weird drum-machine beats, alongside soaring (and often howling) rock. [Listen 2 This supplement, Mar 2004, p.12]
80
All Music Guide
Onelinedrawing, in general, may be a bit too saccharine for some listeners, and it lacks the classic power pop levity of a Brendan Benson or Weakerthans, but The Volunteers is a wildly inventive record that can stand tall beside earnest peers like Saves the Day's In Reverie.
80
Logo
Striped of its proto-emo veneer this is sterling stuff, which - although fraught with angst - is run through with a mellow, humbling tone that is as infectious and accessible as it is true to hardcore’s staunch code of ethical values.
80
Drowned In Sound
It’s one of those growers. The lyrics are clever. The running-order is immaculately conceived - it's practically a concept album.
80
Delusions of Adequacy
He’s able to craft songs that are touching without becoming seriously over-sensitive.
80
PopMatters
It's got tunes and inspiration to spare, and its genuine modesty chips away at your resistance.
71
Pitchfork
Even while it's unfortunately anticlimatic, The Volunteers is a fine record, and a welcome addition to the modern singer/songwriter canon.
70
Alternative Press
An organic burst of music and melody that is Matranga's best work yet. [Apr 2004, p.84]
70
Rolling Stone
Matranga has a warm, whispery voice and an eagerness to please, giving him some of the huggable-rock-star appeal of an Eddie Vedder or Chris Carrabba. [10 Jun 2004, p.91]
70
No Ripcord
Where The Volunteers falls down, surprisingly, is in the excessively slick production. Despite the ethos and lyrics, musically this is not the handmade, indie effort you might expect.
70
Blender
The best songs here brace his vulnerability with expansive flourishes. [Apr 2004, p.134]
30
Tiny Mix Tapes
More than one track goes on about how love will eventually get us to heaven and such, and the sickly, sugary sweetness of it all just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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