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Drastic Fantastic

EMAILPRINTby KT Tunstall

KT Tunstall reviews
68
7.6 User Score:

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.

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...

100

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.

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80

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.

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80

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.

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80

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.

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80

Hartford Courant

The Scottish singer builds on the promise of her first album with Drastic Fantastic.

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80

All Music Guide

Drastic Fantastic a rare beast: a pop album with a songwriter's heart, and one that works on both levels.

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80

Sputnikmusic

Drastic Fantastic achieves success due to its near-perfect composition and construction.

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70

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.

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70

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.

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70

Blender

The clarity of her frustration gives the songs an unsparing honesty, but it's also frustrating to witness. [Oct 2007, p.112]

70

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.

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70

Rolling Stone

It's high-gloss folk pop, confessional in form if not in content, crafted with intelligent attention to every detail.

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63

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.

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60

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.

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60

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]

60

Boston Globe

Tunstall's third album is far less gritty than her first album.

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60

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.

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60

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]

58

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]

42

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.

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40

Mojo

It's a shame Drastic Fantastic disappoints. [Oct 2007, p.92]

40

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.

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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.

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