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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Rain On Lens
by Smog
This is Bill Callahan's follow-up to 2000's acclaimed 'Dongs of Sevotion.'
| LABEL: |
Drag City |
| RELEASE DATE: |
18 September 2001 |
| 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
Playlouder
From the opening few seconds of 'Rain On Lens' you just know this album is going to be a classic.
90
Magnet
These quiet, stripped-down songs are so narcotically enticing that when an occasional burst of moderate-volume guitar noise pops up unexpectedly, the effect is excruciating, like wires burning in the brain. [#52, p.102]
90
Splendid
Without a doubt one of Callahan’s most inspired collection of songs to date.
80
The Wire
At the heart of Rain On Lens, [Callahan] comes clean for the first time: Smog is subjective, not omnipotent. Hardly a psyche stripped bare, but at least it's a start. [#211, p.65]
80
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Rain On Lens remains essential listening for devotees of the rock 'n' roll underground, supporters of assured self-expression, and those captivated by the monochromatic.
80
Dot Music
A harsh, almost hollow collection of songs, that are as darkly unsettling and violently disaffected as anything our rather self-absorbed Chicago-based outcast has committed to tape thus far.
80
All Music Guide
This album is a study in repetition and rhythm, the same kinds that Callahan first toyed with on songs like "Bloodflow" and "Justice Aversion" from Dongs of Sevotion.
75
Pitchfork
Much of Rain on Lens sounds remarkably detached, and the end result is an album that, while musically excellent, lacks the impact of the pre-parentheses days.
70
Alternative Press
While it isn't his best work, Rain on Lens shows that Callahan is proving to be frustratingly hard to pin down, but capable of unleasing brilliance at any given time. [Nov 2001, p.94]
70
Mojo
Dour, sub-Velvets melodies and droll, haiku-like lyrics tinged with desperation. [Sep 2001, p.110]
60
New Musical Express
There have been dark records by Chicagoan Bill Callahan. There have been wilfully obscure ones too, but there has never been one as single-mindedly dour as this.
60
Sonicnet
On the surface, Callahan sounds like he's getting out more.
40
Q Magazine
The only life in these monochrome songs comes from some feedback on Lazy Rain and squalling jazz horns on Revanchism. [Oct 2001, p.130]
30
Neumu.net
Rain on Lens isn't awful, but boy, is it a long way from The Doctor Came at Dawn.
The average user rating for this album is 10.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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