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Asa Breed - Matthew Dear
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Stylus Magazine
    83
    Dear's third album proves a wealth of open-window micro pop fit for summer gusts and unexpected flints of lightning.
  2. Paste Magazine
    80
    Dear puts his imprint on a variety of styles: a clip-clopping Spaghetti Western feel on 'Fleece on Brain,' poppy minimalist techno on 'Neighborhoods,' robo-funk on 'Shy,' gleaming New Wave on 'Pom Pom'--all rendered cohesive by elegant, immersive production.
  3. Village Voice
    80
    Throughout much of Asa Breed, Dear achieves a serendipitous balance between the uplifting and the eerie, the hummable and the hypnotic, the tuneful and the texturally adventurous.
  4. Hot Press
    80
    It's a bold, ambitious statement from a techno producer keen to expand his range watch this space.
  5. Pitchfork
    79
    As producer, songwriter and persona, Dear has come into his own with Asa Breed, a bootstrapping album that not only reveals the miles walked, but an ambitious road map ahead.
  6. Almost Cool
    78
    At times, lyrics seem a bit too obvious, but its usually at these points that Dear also pushes his songs into more over-the-top mode, making them feel a bit more sarcastic at the same time.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Dear joyously defies categorization. [15 Jun 2007, p.77]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    A pop album that comes giddy with detailed digital patterns,
  9. Spin
    70
    Dear infuses the snapping, beeping compositions of his second album with a sincere yearn, broadening the genre in the process. [Jul 2007, p.96]
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  10. The A.V. Club
    67
    Much of Asa Breed sounds like TV On The Radio with more exacting production and a more pensive disposition.
  11. Under The Radar
    60
    The minimal or micro house found on Asa Breed seems narrowly focused to appeal to a very specialized audience. [Summer 2007, p.87]
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  12. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Asa Breed feels too lightweight to recommend without caution.
  13. Uncut
    60
    As spirited as this effort is, there's not much here to worry James Murphy. [Jul 2007, p.99]
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  14. All Music Guide
    60
    A little exposure to his constantly morphing flat baritone goes a long way.
  15. The Guardian
    60
    Dear's prostrate baritone works well when combined with his spare synthetic production.
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. [Anonymous]
    9
    "Deserter" is the best song of 2007. And the rest of the album's good too.
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