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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Amazing Grace
by Spiritualized
A quick follow-up by Spiritualized standards, 'Amazing Grace' finds Jason Pierce with a new record label (his own Spaceman Records imprint) and a more immediate, less orchestral sound than on 2001's 'Let It Come Down.'
| LABEL: |
Sanctuary / Spaceman |
| RELEASE DATE: |
09 September 2003 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Alternative, 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...
91
Spin
Amazing Grace is at peak moments an amazingly graceful representation of MC5/Stooges skid marks on a psychedelic superhighway. [Oct 2003, p.112]
90
Uncut
Another Spiritualized album. Another great Spiritualized album. [Oct 2003, p.120]
90
Splendid
Indolent, perturbed and volatile, Amazing Grace finds Pierce checking his wide-screen Spectorian visions at the studio door; he has opted, instead, for a coarse mix of electrified Southern gospel and somnabulent balladeering that has produced the most urgent Spiritualized album since Electric Mainline.
83
Entertainment Weekly
[Pierce is] not averse to thrash; songs like "Never Going Back" find him crawling around in broken glass like Iggy, a supplicant for love. [12 Sep 2003, p.153]
80
Urb
Amazing Grace holds its place in the ever-evolving sound of one of the most momentous bands of the past decade. [Oct 2003, p.86]
80
No Ripcord
There is absolutely no doubt that this is an important album.
80
The Guardian
Even in the current climate, they sound unique.
80
Alternative Press
Pierce's organic approach on Grace makes the album feel exquisitely intimate, personable and warm. [Oct 2003, p.138]
80
Nude As The News
While the songs aren't that different from "classic" Spiritualized, the method in which they were recorded presents a whole new set of sonic possibilities.
80
Outburn
The sound is taut and tough, with a much more spontaneous sound than previous efforts. [#23, p. 101]
80
Playlouder
More difficult when played initially, you will find yourself becoming immersed in it, a generous reward for your initial endeavours.
80
Under The Radar
Amazing Grace is loud, dirty, sloppy, and crude. But it rocks hard. [#5, p.103]
80
Mojo
For every song that reacts against the last album, another chimes perfectly with its mood of epic redemption. [Sep 2003, p.101]
78
Almost Cool
Easily the least indulgent of the releases for the group thus far.
70
PopMatters
It is a Spiritualized album in every sense of the word: bombastic, beautiful, energized, dynamic, and for some damn reason, just a little emotionless.
62
Pitchfork
Even in its most inspired moments, Amazing Grace lacks the fiery intensity of any of Pierce's previous outings.
60
Amazon.com
It may still sound beautiful, but too often Amazing Grace comes off as mere formula.
60
All Music Guide
Amazing Grace is far from a bad album, but it's not an especially compelling one, either.
60
The Onion (A.V. Club)
At its best, Amazing Grace® finds Pierce and his many supporting players piecing their disparate moods and sounds into moments of catharsis only Spiritualized could create. But too often, those ingredients are doled out separately, as the album jerks through jarringly integrated fragments that should have run together seamlessly.
60
Dot Music
Much of 'Amazing Grace' is the tired evidence of a man rehashing the same ideas - rather than sounds and movements - like a robotic, assembly line Andy Warhol.
50
Launch.com
The elements of free-jazz, mopey techno, and hypnotic riff rock find familiar combinations as Pierce's peace, love, and drugs philosophy takes on a perfunctory turn.
50
Neumu.net
Pierce seems to have lost the magic that he once seemed in total command of.
50
Flak Magazine
A return to form, though, doesn't imply a return to greatness.
40
Q Magazine
An orgy of harmonica, squalling guitar, plodding ballads and ill-fitting minimalist trousers. What on earth is going on? [Oct 2003, p.113]
40
Rolling Stone
The Bible talk and the vintage-guitar distortion sound so rote it's hard to imagine Pierce is baring his soul rather than just plumbing the depths of his record collection.
40
Blender
The mood is too inconsistent to connect. [Oct 2003, p.127]
10
The Wire
This is drivel inflated to whole new levels of bombast. [#235, p.72]
The average user rating for this album is 6.8 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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