Back Numbers
by Britta Phillips and Dean Wareham
  • Record Label: Rounder
  • Release Date: Feb 27, 2007
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. NOW Magazine
    100
    Not a dud in the entire meticulous love letter to a da-do-ron-ron era.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    Throughout Back Numbers, Wareham and Phillips push small emotions over big.
  3. Filter
    82
    Subdued guitar work and sleepy rhythms provide a solid underpinning for the airy melodies, keeping them from drifting away like freshly-blown bubbles.
  5. PopMatters
    80
    Arriving where Luna was already headed at their breakup, the album feels much more realized than that band ever did at their end.
  6. Boston Globe
    80
    The album casts the duo in a new light that may not quite eclipse their former work, but it has set them well on their way.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    A mix of breathy covers and intimate originals spiked with Wareham's laconic talk-singing and smoothed out by Phillips' icy purr.
  8. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Luna fans will be pleased.
  9. Under The Radar
    70
    The arrangements almost entirely abandon the Velvets/Television electric guitar bedrock on which Luna was founded, instead adopting a basic structure of strummed acoustic guitar, spare orchestration, and burbling synths. [#16, p.90]
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  10. Mojo
    70
    Perfectly conceived and executed, the album is a beautiful collection of mood music. [May 2007, p.112]
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  11. Pitchfork
    67
    Track by track, the disc's a sweet thing, but as a whole it's about as light and wispy.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. christopherf
    Mar 23, 2007
    9
    Subtle and compelling melodies flawlessly played. Britta is also far easier to listen to than Dean. This album melts in your ears, not on the Subtle and compelling melodies flawlessly played. Britta is also far easier to listen to than Dean. This album melts in your ears, not on the cd rack.… Full Review »
  2. JeffB
    Mar 21, 2007
    8
    I'm a huge fan of anything Dean Wareham, but I have to say this album doesn't seem to have the depth as others. I miss being lost I'm a huge fan of anything Dean Wareham, but I have to say this album doesn't seem to have the depth as others. I miss being lost in Luna's dreamy-then-manic guitars, and the sultriness of L'Avventura. That said, I still give it an 8/10 and I'll listen over and over.… Full Review »
  3. ThomasB
    Mar 20, 2007
    6
    If anyone ever sleepwalked through a career in music, it's Dean Wareham. His somnambulist tunes -- from Galaxie 500 through Luna and now If anyone ever sleepwalked through a career in music, it's Dean Wareham. His somnambulist tunes -- from Galaxie 500 through Luna and now Dean & Britta with his wife -- pass like ephemeral dreams. They're highly enjoyable in the moment but, like most dreams, are quickly forgotten in the cold light of morning. "Back Numbers" is unfailingly pleasant, but I'll be darned if I can remember a single hook, lyric or melody even after multiple listenings.… Full Review »
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