• Record Label: Rykodisc
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2006
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Too bad the songs aren't as adventurous as the music. This lack of songwriterly imagination severely limits the band's range.
  2. Elf Power have discarded many of the classic song styles that make their debut so strong, allowing a love of arena/anthem rock to mutate into a lolling interest in marches on later albums, kind of a return to old-world aesthetics that blends a potentially solid band into the grey tapestry of indie rock like so much frizzing wool.
  3. Q Magazine
    70
    The band's ability to rock out at the drop of a hat proves a pleasant surprise among the dopey reverie. [Jun 2006, p.115]
  4. Alternative Press
    70
    An intriguing album. [Jun 2006, p.178]
  5. A lush, hazy cloud of 12-string acoustic guitars, banjos, violins, and cellos raining down Rieger’s refreshing melodies, marred only by a bit of uncomfortable familiarity at times.
  6. Rieger surrounds images from nature and recalled dreams with compact, layered folk-pop songs that mingle joy and fear in equal measure.
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Brendan
    Jun 8, 2006
    4
    Some intriguing tracks abound, but Elf Power has lost their way. Like fellow Athenians R.E.M., pretentious experimentation and vain attempts Some intriguing tracks abound, but Elf Power has lost their way. Like fellow Athenians R.E.M., pretentious experimentation and vain attempts to incorporate Beatlesque instrumentation to their basic power-pop sound has taken the place of writing the catchy-as-hell melodies heard on masterpieces like "Walking With the Beggar Boys," the group's best record. This is one of the biggest disappointments so far this year. Full Review »
  2. brianm
    May 20, 2006
    7
    This album is much more mellow than the last Elf Power record. The amped-up T-Rex riffage (which I liked) that dominated Beggar Boys is This album is much more mellow than the last Elf Power record. The amped-up T-Rex riffage (which I liked) that dominated Beggar Boys is replaced with folky-acoustic guitar driven songs about nature and so forth. Which may be a good or a bad thing. The album is barely over 30 minutes long and breezes by quickly. A good enough listen for beginners and a solid album for fans. Full Review »