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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Drastic Fantastic

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 35 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Virgin
Release Date: 18 September 2007
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Pop
Summary
"Drastic Fantastic" is KT's studio follow-up to her successful debut CD.
Also By This Artist: Eye To The Telescope
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
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...
Observer Music Monthly
Drastic Fantastic feels neither brave nor raw; Steve Osborne, working with Tunstall for the second time, has produced an album of flawless pop hits.
Read Full Review >musicOMH.com
Just when you think things are getting a bit too glossy and radio-friendly, there's a reminder of the edge that makes her such a good listen.
Read Full Review >Uncut
There's another side to the jaunty guitars and multi-tracked choruses that sometimes make Tunstall sound like she's singing an orange juice advert.... 'Beauty of Uncertainty' and the closer 'Paper Aeroplane' are stark and moody etudes as far removed from, say, Dido as it's possible to get.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Tunstall crushes the sophomore jinx under the stilleto heels of the white boots she wears on the album cover, delivering a confident and assured set that's fuller and a touch more electric than its predecessor.
Read Full Review >Hartford Courant
The Scottish singer builds on the promise of her first album with Drastic Fantastic.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Drastic Fantastic a rare beast: a pop album with a songwriter's heart, and one that works on both levels.
Read Full Review >Sputnikmusic
Drastic Fantastic achieves success due to its near-perfect composition and construction.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Drastic Fantastic is not so much a revelation, and song-by-song, it might not even quite surpass its predecessor in overall strength, but it’s proof that she’s for real.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
An underwhelming end to a sly, bitter, rocking album it maybe, but at least it makes plain the point that being polite does nothing for her and a bit of passion and rock'n'roll attitude goes a long way.
Read Full Review >Blender
The clarity of her frustration gives the songs an unsparing honesty, but it's also frustrating to witness. [Oct 2007, p.112]
Slant Magazine
A definite improvement on her solid debut, this is also a more polished record that should continue to build upon Tunstall's success.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
It's high-gloss folk pop, confessional in form if not in content, crafted with intelligent attention to every detail.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
It's more professional than compellingly personal, but a lack of pretension lets the choruses soar and the hooks kick in with full, pleasurable effect.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
Tunstall has never sounded better, and the Sheryl Crow riffs and mid-tempo chick rock of 'If Only' and 'Little Favours' serve her well.
Read Full Review >Spin
The follow-up proves Tunstall is no fluke.... but it also maks clear that Tunstall's glaring faults--dull lyrics filled with pedestrian phrases--aren't fleeting, either. [Oct 2007, p.112]
NOW Magazine
The more introspective moments show songwriting potential that's worth getting excited about, but at times the disc coasts along too comfortably to be truly remarkable.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
While there's nothing on Drastic Fantastic to spook the horses, neither is it an obvious rerun of its predecessor. [October 2007, p.90]
Entertainment Weekly
Drastic Fantastic's airy guitar pop--not to mention Tunstall's muted rasp--feels more technically proficient than passionate. [21 Sep 2007, p.81]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Tunstall tries hard to stand out with moments of guitar fuzz and lyrics that occasionally border on clever, but Drastic is ultimately little more than pleasant background noise.
Read Full Review >Mojo
It's a shame Drastic Fantastic disappoints. [Oct 2007, p.92]
New Musical Express
Her debut had some killer pop singles like 'Black Horse And The Cherry Tree', but on Drastic Fantastic her talent and quirks have been mostly hidden under a gloss of studio production and bland AOR.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Neil R. gave it an8:
Not quite as good as the first album, but the first few tracks are extremely singalongtoable, and she varies her style elegantly (though, again, the album as a whole sounds similar to the previous).
B D gave it a10:
Fantastic
Henry G. gave it a9:
Absolutely sublime. Just brilliant.
Edward H gave it a10:
KT is so freekin' rokkin' on diz album, she is sincere and very honest in her songs and she has such a awsum ass voice 2. Anyone dat sayz she is dull or borin' obviously don'tz know shit bout reel pop muzik. Diz is a winner wit yo boi. Peace KT you have made yo boi proud. Keep it Komin' Ghirlfriend!
Matt R. gave it a9:
Not as good as her first, but still a great album. One of the better voices/personas of all female artists right now.
T gave it a10:
A brilliant variety of more rockier tracks to quieter acoustic ballads, well done KT.
Mark C. gave it a10:
A wonderful album that really shows a rockier side of KT. The best album so far in 2007.
