Balboa Island
by The Pretty Things
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The overall feel of the set, from the Who-like bashfest 'Buried Alive' to the gritty cover of Bob Dylan's 'Ballad of Hollis Brown,' is undeniably galvanizing in all the right ways.
  2. AllMusic
    70
    Not bad at all, but unless you're a die-hard fan you'll want to be a little selective.
  3. PopMatters
    70
    Ultimately, it’s the highlights that stand out most on Balboa Island.
  5. Mojo
    60
    The Pretties turn in a brand new album of mostly original material recorded the righteous way on analogue gear, displaying considerably more energy and invention than most what's around today. [Nov 2007, p.108]
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  6. Q Magazine
    60
    The world will still ignore them, but mustering such firepower this late in the game is noble. [Oct 2007, p.105]
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  7. Uncut
    40
    While they sound no less vital than their infuriatingly profitable contemporaries, they sound no more, either. [Oct 2007, p.101]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. ToddW.
    Oct 25, 2007
    5
    I look at The Pretty Things as the Cynthia Lennons of rock-n-roll. Forever waiting at the train station for their ride to stardom to come in. I look at The Pretty Things as the Cynthia Lennons of rock-n-roll. Forever waiting at the train station for their ride to stardom to come in. It's always been about timing with these guys. I consider 'S.F. Sorrow' - recorded the same year as 'Sergeant Pepper's' and the 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn,' and in the same studio - to be one of my top 100 all-time favorite albums, and 'Parachute' is knocking on that door as well. Unfortunately, The Pretty Things never got any acclaim for either offering, but they keep plugging away undaunted in their British R&B root cellar, putting to shame most every current pretender. I guess there's something to be said for tenacity, but it won't send the ship of salvation to their island of anonymity.… Full Review »
  2. Letty
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    An R&B masterpiece. Raw, real, dark and emotive. Buy it! Trust me.
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