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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Rings Around The World
by Super Furry Animals


9.0

based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 32 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

MUSIC:

Official Artist Site

This is the fifth album (and a return to English-lanugage songs) for the well-regarded Welsh indie band, now signed to a major label (Epic). It is the first album ever to be released simultaneously on DVD and CD (with the DVD containing a movie and a remix for each track on the album). Paul McCartney and John Cale have cameo appearances on the album.

LABEL:	Epic
RELEASE DATE:	19 March 2002
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, Rock, Alternative

NOTES: UK release 23 July 2001. Also available on DVD (with 5.1 digital surround).

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...

100

Nude As The News

Rings Around The World takes another twelve bold strides forward, applying the technology explored on earlier efforts like Radiator and Guerrilla and the restraint exercised on the more lo-fi Mwng to a fresh set of songs that stretch the group's stylistic boundaries and provide the young century with one of its first classic albums.

100

Magnet

A truly brilliant recording. [#53, p.93]

100

Mojo

SFA's first truly flawless album.... Sad, lush, romantic, beautiful, heartbroken, crazy, this is an album powerful enough to make you shout out loud in public or cry alone at night. [Aug 2001, p.96]

Entertainment Weekly

Unfortunately, that extraordinary core is at times marred by forced eccentricity.

Village Voice

SFA uses 21st-century tools to achieve pop timelessness.

PopMatters

Rings Around the World might be stylistically all over the place, and some people may think it sounds like Super Furry Animals are desperately trying to show the world how clever they are, but it's so much fun to listen to, that it hardly matters. It's a near-perfect album, and we all should be thankful there are bands out there willing to throw everything they've got into a record just to see what happens.

Almost Cool

Nearly everything is fair game with the group, and that's what makes this release one of their better ones.

Dot Music

Beyond the shiny surface of these songs lurks an unusual wealth of detail decorating the landscape through which the Furries power, scattering verse after chorus after verse at breathtaking speed.

Ink Blot Magazine

Rings Around the World flows extraordinarily well, making it all the more powerful.

Spin

Given its songs' consistent strength, Rings' extravagant extras rarely seem excessive. [Apr 2002, p.125]

Pitchfork

Their best album to date-- a bold claim to the upper echelon of rock.

Neumu.net

The Super Furries have indulgently embraced a collision of musical elements; what we hear is a jarring, yet surprisingly seamless, mix of sounds and exceptional songwriting.... Their best work to date.

All Music Guide

This is the first SFA album not to progress from its predecessor, or offer the shock of the new, and that's hard not to miss -- but, if this is the first SFA record you hear, it'll likely intrigue, even dazzle, with its kaleidoscopic blend of pop, prog, punk, psych and electronica.

Rolling Stone

A widescreen musical masterpiece with a knowing wink. [28 Mar 2002, p.68]

Playlouder

A triumph of style and content, a precious thing and proof positive that acid is well good for you.

Launch.com

Yes, it's an earful of music, but it's a good earful, with more smarts, twists, turns and ear-pleasing trickery than one band should be allowed.

Mixer

This kind of sonic bravado is truly impressive. [May 2002, p.72]

Alternative Press

There's no doubt their musical literacy is impressive, but for every cliche it erases, Rings Around The World embraces two more. [May 2002, p.98]

New Musical Express

It's not, as has been signalled, Super Furries' best album. It's their worst. That's still aeons better than most other left-of-centre alternative British pop bands, but it's nonetheless a disappointment.

Blender

Unless you've just fallen off a bong, the endless whimsy lacks meat. [Apr/May 2002, p.118]

Q Magazine

Aurally, Super Furry Animals are evolving into a hybrid of Blur and The Cardiacs. (Drawing) Rings Around The World, Shoot Doris Day and Presidential Suite are excellent, most of the remainder pass muster, but there's nothing to change anyone's world.

The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Will gave it a10:
A flawless effort from SFA and probably their finest hour amongst many. Juxtaposed With U is perhaps the perfect indie pop single and it is backed up by some other magnificent tunes such as Shoot Doris Day and the title track. The opener is superb as well.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Wonderful album, the best of 2002.

Andrew P gave it a10:
Absolutley awesome album from an awesome band!!!

matt a gave it a10:
This really is the best album of 2002, with The Flaming Lips, Ron Sexsmith, Wilco, and Idlewild's albums close behind. Totally perfect, not a bad track and honestly I'm a little confused by critics saying this album isn't as good as previous efforts. Original, witty lyrics and smart arrangements. A must-own.

Jon H gave it a 10:
Amazing, they never do any wrong IMO

Joonas L gave it a 10:
This is one of the best records on my shelf that contains all albums of the Furries. This is my favourite furrie album, this doesn't open with one time listening, but about three times and you're in love with it! I've also bought the dvd, I recommend that to all that loved this album. Brilliant.

Matthew S gave it a 9:
Some of the sharpest, funniest, and cleverest lyrics you'll hear anywhere, on top of some absolutely brilliant pop-stylings, from brit-pop to classic rock, '70s soul to trip-hop, it's all here on this album. Oh, and the musicianship is first rate as well.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals

Rings Around The World
by Super Furry Animals