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100

E! Online

With soft electronic rhythms and tape loops bubbling under, her impassive voice lays out rich lyrics as melodies build and explode around standout tracks like "Galaxies" and "Parisian Dreams."

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Neumu.net

The songs don't float off into space; the strumming guitars and subtle electronic effects give the fantastic lyrics an earthy feel, rather than lifting them into the air.

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Entertainment Weekly

A rare combo: thoughtful and hummable. [9 Sep 2005, p.145]

Q Magazine

Showcases her luminous vocals, rich lyrics and subtle arrangements. [Sep 2005, p.120]

Mojo

Through it all, Veirs' voice remains intimate but deadpan -- a la Suzanne Vega. [Sep 2005, p.96]

The New York Times

It can suggest Suzanne Vega's studio work, Neil Young's Crazy Horse or the latter-day Wilco. [22 Aug 2005]

Uncut

Year Of Meteors is no flat-out masterpiece.... Still, Veirs is clearly moving in the right direction. [Sep 2005, p.102]

Splendid

Year of Meteors isn't the sound of ground being broken; it's an artist growing ever more confident, but never overly comfortable, in her style.

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Prefix Magazine

Veirs hasn’t given us anything strikingly original with Year Of Meteors, but there’s something to be said for working within the confines of a given genre and excelling at what that entails.

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Pitchfork

Veirs is maybe the gazillionth iteration of the quiet voice and plucked guitar, but she serves as a potent reminder how variable and compelling that combination can be.

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Stylus Magazine

Where this release stands out is in overall sound and songwriting.

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New Musical Express

Sounds like a collection of songs poised to steal the heart of anyone with a bruised soul. [17 Sep 2005, p.58]

Rolling Stone

A folk-schooled reverie with a dark undercurrent.

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Paste Magazine

The record's strengths are mostly atmospheric. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.144]

Tiny Mix Tapes

Deep meaning and well-crafted pop.

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PopMatters

Even if it's more consistently very good rather than sporadically startlingly excellent, there are lines to treasure in every song.

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The Guardian

Sometimes this more expansive, substantial sound works to very good effect.... Where it doesn't is when it messes with two of Veirs' greatest assets: her haunted lyrics and haunting, Cat-Power-trapped-in-a-deep-well voice.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes

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

Jeremy F gave it a9:
This is definitely a captivating, enchanting, magically pictured album. Veirs' "okay" voice is in fact what makes it so enjoyable. She proves that with great instrumental work, and some beautiful lyrics (many including nature-scenes and scopes) you can get by without a perfect voice. However, despite the beautiful imagery and the whole porcelain-fragile gorgeousness, this album is NOT better than it's 2-time predecessor "Troubled By The Fire." That record captured each song in a beautiful cocoon that just let you gaze blinded-by-beauty. The guitar work was excellent there, and it is no exception here, but i think Veris is a TINY bit more capable than this.

mads l gave it a6:
this effort is nowhere near as captivating as the stunningly beautiful predecessor, Carbon Glacier. that album had a haunting quality to it and a cool elegance - this new album is more laid back, warm-sounding and band oriented. it kind of smoothes the edges off of veirs' brilliant songwriting ability.

Adriano C gave it a10:
The more I listen to this album, the better it gets. It takes me to beaches and to the backstage of a concert; dream pop indeed. "Year of meteors" is damn perfect.

Ian gave it a9:
This is a great album - fabulous melodies (remember them?), engaging lyrics, interesting noises throughout. I really enjoyed the previous album (Carbon Glacier) - and it took me a few listens to get into this, and I now believe Year of Meteors is better. I don't know if it's alt.country, or folk pop, or alt.pop or whatever - buy this record.

Chris in Australia gave it a9:
Seem to read a lot of comments around the place inferring that Laura's sound is not very original and that it is a bit cliched. I completely disagree. I think her songwriting and sound is both unique and fantastic. I don't think that Meteors is quite as good as her previous Carbon Glacier, but it is close! I enjoy her lyrics especially, they always take me on a journey and fill my mind with all sorts of images. Not many artists can do that!

Kaylie gave it a1:
Generally Unfavorable. Laura Veirs inherits the legacy of pop pseudo-intellectualism crafted for mass consumption. Nonesuch is rife with this kind of toothless stuff. But if you think bands like Wilco are clever and moving, you might like this.

Way gave it a2:
Catchy but stale nerd pop with a pretty voice and a dull detachment.

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Year Of Meteors

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