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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Control
by Pedro The Lion


9.2

based on 14 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 14 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

MUSIC:

Headphones: Headphones

Christian-indie rocker David Bazan follows 2000's 'Winners Never Quit' with this full-length album. This time out, Casey Foubert (Seldom) lends a hand with the instrumentation.

LABEL:	Jade Tree
RELEASE DATE:	16 April 2002
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...

Launch.com

It's that rare record that both thinks and rocks.

Delusions of Adequacy

This album includes boasts a brilliant storyteller, amazing music, and, most important, beautifully delivered lyrics.

All Music Guide

He's no Elliott Smith yet, but if he expands his songwriting and subject matter, he could be a future heir to the indie-wuss throne.

Magnet

Control is the finger-pointing punk record of the year. [#54, p.101]

Uncut

Musically, it predictably alternates between relentless, driving guitars and agonisingly slow dirges, but Bazan's gift lies in lyrics. [Oct 2002, p.112]

Alternative Press

Control's exhilarating high points take Pedro's brooding, hesitantly melodic indie rock closer to Ozzfet than they've ever been. [Jul 2002, p.94]

Splendid

Control stands apart from previous Pedro the Lion releases because its harder material is among its most satisfying.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Control may be dark and sometimes brutal, but it's ultimately life-affirming and difficult to forget.

Almost Cool

While it may turn off some people who were fans of his earlier, acoustic work, it also shows that he has the chops to do a full-fledged rock album.

Pitchfork

Where [Winners Never Quit] moved with confidence and conviction of purpose, Control wallows in an amoral netherworld of overamped midtempo ballads and incomplete thoughts.

Rolling Stone

Control reveals a restrained, calculating rocker.

Austin Chronicle

Control's opener "Options" is one of the saddest, most sincere songs to come down the pipe in years.

PopMatters

Control finds Bazan wallowing so completely in the dark side of the human psyche that it becomes stifling after awhile.

Q Magazine

[Control] finds Bazan wearily retreading themese of religion and relationships. [May 2002, p.119]

The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

ian van o gave it a 10:
amazing, a awesome story. deffenently buy the cd

rob gave it a 10:
shows examples of ugly things occurring, but in such a beautiful way. it's strange how Pedro can make adultery sound so good, but he does...

matt s gave it a 9:
It's a great album. I think that Pedro is hands down the best emo/indie song writer. His lyrics are dark, and sometimes scary, but other times filled with hope.

Danny Z. gave it a 9:
Amazing truths in this album. Plenty of "old" Pedro single guitar riffs and melodies and pleasingly new stronger songs much like in Winners Never Quit. I LOVE IT! although it is a bit surprising just how graphic some of the album is. But it's something today's america needs to hear.

Ty H. gave it a 10:
An excellent critique of the "Anti-Culture" of the United States. I would argue that the album is pure genius

Wes C. gave it an 8:
Solid theme throughout... emotional range explored throughout with style changes

The Dude Abides gave it an 8:
Speaking as a Pedro The Lion fan, I really like this record. I was surprised though, at how twisted he's getting. I hope this music isn't in any way autobiographical.

Control by Pedro The Lion

Control
by Pedro The Lion