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Songs And Other Things
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 1 vote
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Thrill Jockey
Release Date: 25 April 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
'Songs' (one of two April 2006 releases) is the former Television frontman's first vocal release in sixteen years. Television's Fred Smith guests.
Also By This Artist: Around
Also On The Web: TV @ Thrill Jockey
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...
All Music Guide
Typically cryptic and loaded with tasty guitar, Songs and Other Things is an excellent return for Tom Verlaine.
Read Full Review >Uncut
The best tracks... are almost as good as Television's monumental Marquee Moon. [May 2006, p.100]
PopMatters
The most impressive thing about Songs and Other Things is that Verlaine’s singing has actually gotten stronger with time.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Songs is the stronger effort, tight and focused where ['Around'] is sketchy. [#13, p.89]
The Wire
At first Songs And Other Things sounds simple to the point of throwaway, but gradually gives up its secrets after a number of plays. [#266, p.67]
Mojo
Business as usual. [May 2006, p.104]
Pitchfork
Songs' best moments occur when Verlaine complicates the pop formula with serious tension.
Read Full Review >musicOMH.com
The dynamic has more in common with Verlaine's best (known) work, even if the drama isn't as fully realised.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Those looking for "Marquee Moon"-style guitar heroics will be disappointed.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
It doesn't seem the product of so revered an artist. [29 Apr 2006, p.37]
Q Magazine
Mixes his distinctive whinny toothlessly low. [May 2006, p.131]
The Guardian
Most of the 14 songs work as moments or hooks rather than as complete creations, suggesting the Verlaine coffee commercial may yet be upon us.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
Songs and Other Things' mid-tempo pop feels tossed-off, like Verlaine couldn't have been bothered to do more between walking the dog and a few dart games.
Read Full Review >Delusions of Adequacy
Whilst Songs and Other Things may still attract loyal aficionados of Verlaine’s idiosyncratic solo work, it’s certainly unlikely to win over any sceptics.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Fans of Verlaine's Television-era storytelling will be disappointed to hear him so simultaneously unchanged and unforthcoming.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
CHARLES M gave it an8:
A. C.D. that repays repeated listening, some times irritating, occasionally sloppy but never boring. A welcome return from near oblivion for one of musics few originals. And nice to hear Tom looking for new sounds, moving forward, away from Marquee Moon, and Foxhole and Words from the Front and Call Mr Lee and into the more thoughtful, paced territory of a man in late middle age. I sure hope that he lives up to his promise to continue recording now that he has picked up on his career and that he makes some money out of it this time around
