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Barbara
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Barbara Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album for the indie rock band We Are Scientists is its first with ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.

Top Track

Nice Guys
You're smart enough to make your mistakes And act like you want 'em Walk off the residual pain And forget how you got it Nice guys finish last... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. BBC Music
    80
    Whether or not the addition of Burrows is solely responsible for the improvement in consistency on this fourth album isn't clear, but Barbara is their best work by far. Current fans will be glad and new ones may be easier to come by.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    They're having their own sonic keg party here: coasting through the fuck-ups on the basic likeability-- the sheer shaggy melodic charm--of the hosts.
  3. The A.V. Club
    75
    Barbara is the latest addition to the New York outfit's solid discography, and if things seem kind of familiar around here, it's because the trio hasn't bothered to fix something that isn't broken.
  4. AllMusic
    60
    Barbara shows that We Are Scientists know what works for them, and even if it never quite breaks the barrier between pleasant and great, it's almost always enjoyable.
  5. Mojo
    60
    A solid if not spectacular, step forward for a band unfathomably more popular in the Uk than their homeland. [Jul 2010, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Sputnikmusic
    60
    Barbara is pure We Are Scientists, and in the context of the band's discography, it's hopelessly unoriginal but undoubtedly strong, the kind of record that will either have you tearing out your hair in frustration at a band that showed so much promise or singing along in your car to a CD chock-full of superb sing-a-longs.
  7. Pitchfork
    38
    In the end, Barbara could've been made by a computer with a specific coding procedure: bass riffs align themselves into right angles, sharp synth lines blare, hi-hats sizzle, hooks dissolve on contact, and 2004 never ends.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. KundK
    Aug 27, 2010
    8
    I should not like this as much as I do, but I cannot help myself. There is nothing especially new here, but everything We Are Scientists haveI should not like this as much as I do, but I cannot help myself. There is nothing especially new here, but everything We Are Scientists have done so far has been polished and delivered with such self-confidence, charm and gusto that you just have to go along with it.… Expand
  2. AustinM
    Jun 17, 2010
    8
    I absolutely love With Love and Squalor and Brain Thrust Mastery. Barbara is still good and has one of my favorites of the theirs on it but I absolutely love With Love and Squalor and Brain Thrust Mastery. Barbara is still good and has one of my favorites of the theirs on it but to me it just doesn't match up with their previous work. Don't get me wrong, I still love this album. I highly suggest buying the physical copy solely for the CD insert. One of the funniest and most entertaining booklets ever. Pick this up especially if you are a WaS fan.… Expand
  4. BowlegsMusicReview
    Jun 18, 2010
    5
    Bowlegs Music Review gave this album 5 out of 10. Review is online now.