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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Cellar Door
by John Vanderslice


6.0

based on 12 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 5 votes
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Rate this album

Popular San Francisco-based indie producer and former MK Ultra frontman John Vanderslice returns with his fourth solo album.

LABEL:	Barsuk
RELEASE DATE:	20 January 2004
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Indie, 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...

Entertainment Weekly

A well-conceived collection of odd pop songs with thoughtful lyrics about unusual subjects. [23/30 Jan 2004, p.101]

Splendid

An exciting return to the days of the imaginative songwriter.

Tiny Mix Tapes

It’s certainly a bit early to be throwing around "Album of the Year" type accolades, but Cellar Door is arguably the crown jewel in an already incredible body of work.

PopMatters

Cellar Door challenges its listeners emotionally and intellectually, without ever feeling pretentious.

Stylus Magazine

A tremendous step forward, an emotional, melodic smorgasbord of pop bliss.

ShakingThrough.net

In sticking close to home, Vanderslice has crafted his finest album yet.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

For the most part... Cellar Door revels in Vanderslice's exceptional ability to combine mood and melody with exacting attention to detail.

Pitchfork

As a singer, he's remarkable and distinctive, and on Cellar Door, he explores the range and impact of his voice to great effect.

Billboard

Another pleasant helping of sweet headphone pop.

Blender

These songs don't rock; they squirm, shuffle and skulk. [#23, p.111]

Rolling Stone

Vanderslice could stand to brighten his outlook (if not his production) a bit, but many of these rambling-man ballads are plenty pretty.

Alternative Press

Cellar Door is clearly the work of a musical mastermind who has never met an instrument he didn't like--or a song he couldn't ruin with it. [Mar 2004, p.96]

The average user rating for this album is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

dan r gave it a10:
My favorite of the V-Slice collection.

E P gave it a 10:
I completely agree with the above reviewer arrangements are so unique! Personally, I have not been this excited about a CD in a very long time. I also have seen him live many, many times and the tunes sound just as good live as on his recordings. He does surround himself with amazing talent but then again I think talent gravitates to this man because he inspires.

p c gave it a 10:
I've seen John Vanderslice play for years, and he is a true artist in every sense of the word. the way he approaches subjects in his songs is most like how a novelist would; thus you aren't stuck with a verse/chorus/verse type of arrangement. he songs end up being sketches of things from the past or things yet to come, and you go along for the ride. the fact that he produces his recordings with other heavyweight friends in the indie world without resorting to any large label funniness allow him a freedom that is truly admirable. catch him when you can, he tours like a madman, and will play three (3) shows at Sxsw in Austin, Tx this year alone. be sure to say hello to him before/after his set, you'll realize what a kind, wonderful person he is. as for Cellar Door, it's a fine addition to his prior stable of fully realized releases, give it a chance. P

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Cellar Door by John Vanderslice

Cellar Door
by John Vanderslice