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

Delusions of Adequacy

The Meadowlands is absolutely essential.

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Pitchfork

In trading the adolescent kick of Secaucus for ripened resignation, meticulous refinement for crippling maturation, they have realized their magnum opus.

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ShakingThrough.net

A fascinating, brokenhearted mess of a record.

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PopMatters

Unlike the overstuffed Silver or Seacaucus, The Meadowlands manages to reveal the expanse of the Wrens' vision without trading on their intimate charms.

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Splendid

The Wrens experiment with sounds and textures you don't normally hear in so-called "rock" records, but unlike many groups, they manage to do this in a way that attracts attention without upstaging the actual music. And the songwriting just keeps getting better; there isn't a lackluster track in the bunch.

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New Musical Express

The ultimate rare treasure. [24 Sep 2005, p.47]

Stylus Magazine

With about twenty killer lines or couplets per song, unexpected hooks coming from everywhere and one of the most ingenious track sequences of the year, it’s not really so hard to imagine what The Wrens have been doing all this time.

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Under The Radar

A stunning return filled with irresistible pop of all varieties.... Note to major labels: you missed a gem. [#5, p.116]

Mojo

They've perfected their emo pop. [Jan 2006, p.132]

All Music Guide

It's possible that The Meadowlands might be a "better" album if it were more focused and logical, but there's something to be said for its immersive, stream-of-consciousness approach.

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Neumu.net

With all four members taking the mic, cohesion should hardly be expected. Yet, for all the different styles the band employs on this album, all but the closing number seem indelibly stamped as this band's work, uniquely The Wrens.

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Q Magazine

The Meadowlands represents an impressive triumph of persistence over talent. [Oct 2005, p.121]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 83 User Votes

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

Pim W. gave it a10:
Wow. It feels like receiving a precious gift to discover an album like this. Never heard of the Wrens before but gave it a try after reading all the user comments at metacritic. three months later and I am still overwhelmed by the pure quality and originallity of the music. Every song has great in- and outro's and unbelievably sticky melodies. Still, the diversity is great. All songs add something to the whole instead of repeating another. Not being able to get the tunes out of my head is probably the only negativity I can think of with this masterpiece. Can''t wait for the Wrens to bring out the next. Give it a try, at least 5 times and you'll be sold completely. Enjoy!

James S. gave it a10:
Someone must have paid a pretty penny to have Q-magazine to lie and bring their metascore down. This is truely a one band in a million's masterpiece. If you spread the songs out over ten different albums with a bunch of filler (ala major label spin), ever one of these songs would be a hit single. The Wrens deserves so much more respect and praise.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Absolutely essential. You won't be able to get songs like "Happy" or "This Boy Is Exhausted" out of your head for weeks.

Ben H gave it a10:
Just fantastic. Right off the melodies and chords of this album is pleasing, but you can listen more and more and realize how genious the lyrics and every other aspect of the album are. This is my favorite ever.

Joachim gave it a10:
It's just an incredible album. I know I am only repeating what masses of people have said before me, but having discovered the Meadowlands album only just prior to X-mas 2006, I just can't stop playing it. There are so many totally overwhelming tunes on it, and whereas I one day can be totally in love with "She sends kisses" (which, although there's too many brilliant songs to single out one in particular, I after all must say is probably THE greatest song on this fantastic record), I can find myself in awe over "13 months in 6 minutes" the next day. Or be passionate to "Hopeless". Or indeed just chill to the tunes of "Boys, you wont". Thank you for sharing this with the world, Wrens lads.

Ttable Why gave it an8:
I had never heard of Wrens before and this is not the type of music I usually would expect to like, given that it is (for want of a better description) straightforward bar-band type rock'n'roll with just guitar, bass, drums, vocals and no real sparkly guitar riffs/melodies/solos. It is quite dark and chordy. I usually prefer psychedelic, "creative", bright melodic stuff like Super Furry Animals, Of Montreal. "This boy is exhausted" was the only song to really attract me on first listen. After about 4 listens, though I began to love all of the songs. The song structures really seep through and the depth and melodies are really beautiful and the singing is great and passionate. Its my favourite album of 2006 along with Destroyer and Midlake and Final Fantasy.

John R gave it a10:
It takes a lot of listens to fully get it but this is the greatest album I've ever played and ai've played a few thousand!

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The Meadowlands

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