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Uncut

Tricky is back with his best album in at least a decade.

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Billboard

Knowle West Boy shows that regardless of era, Tricky does his thing and does it well.

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All Music Guide

It not only re-establishes him as a pioneer, but as an engaging personae who isn't hiding behind his sonic palette anymore; his music is all the better for it.

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Boston Globe

Knowle West Boy marks a long-overdue return to form from one of the founding fathers of trip-hop.

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The Phoenix

Knowle West Boy is a survey of Tricky’s sonic versatility--straightforward rock and oppressive, moody atmospherics all have a home here--and it is frequently gorgeous.

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Entertainment Weekly

Knowle still offers a diverse evocation of his childhood in the proverty-riddled district of the title. [12 Sep 2008]

PopMatters

Perhaps it’s not a full home run--it’s good, but more a retrenchment than a bold step forward. That’s OK, however.

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New Musical Express

This is pure Tricky; sometimes at his near-best, sometimes coasting, but always unique.

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Blender

The music, coproduced by M.I.A. confederate Switch, warps and wanders too, from rock-rap to dancehall to new wave to folk.

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Rolling Stone

It's variety that makes this Tricky's best since his 1995 debut, Maxinquaye.

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The Wire

There are many memorable tracks here, but you still can't help missing the scratchy textures and humid atmosphereics of "Maxinquaye" and "Pre-millennium Tension." [July 2008, p.60]

Urb

Worth the wait, Knowles West Boy provides a uniquely varied soundscape from an equally enigmatic musicmaker. [Jul/Aug 2008, p.87]

Mojo

It's not a groundbreaking record, largely because Tricky himself broke most of the ground here 13 years ago. [Aug 2008, p.103]

Q Magazine

This is no dour social critique. In fact, his seventh album finds him energised following a period as a soundtrack hack in Los Angeles. [Aug 2008, p.145]

Dot Music

It makes for some pleasingly approachable music but that's not what he'll be remembered for.

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Drowned In Sound

It’s as accessible as his debut, that much is true – Tricky’s welcomed the pop infection that’s spread through his system since the bleak Angels With Dirty Faces – but it lacks a standout single voice.

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musicOMH.com

However, this album feels like it marks the beginning of a return of form, and it's great to hear his voice again on tunes that don't make you work to the point of sufferance to get any enjoyment out of.

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Spin

Tricky reengages with his pain that gave him his original power. [Sep 2008, p.128]

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Under The Radar

There is a static-y scratchy cackle running through Knowles West Boy that gives ut the energy of a classic reggae record and a post modern work at the same time. But then at the same time, there is a just-recently-became-dated tone to Knowles West Boy that feels like Tricky is trying to scramble onto trendy bandwagons. [Fall 2008, p.84]

Pitchfork

His proxies fare a bit better, though there's another problem: There's way too many of them, and none of them stick around long enough to establish themselves.

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NOW Magazine

Butler might consider himself lucky he got out when he did, as Tricky’s ideas are scattered all over the place and Knowle West Boy is mostly a mess.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Cian H. gave it an8:
Definitely his best since Maxinquaye and if anybody says otherwise they're lying. Overall it's a very enjoyable record that never stays static, there's a great variety of sound. I saw him play live about two months ago, best gig I've ever been to, so intimate. Comes highly recommended.

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Knowle West Boy

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