Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. It's definitely about as disjointed as they come, and while that loose style seems to invigorate some tracks, it makes for a release that's downright hard to listen to in places.
  2. Uncut
    60
    Beast Moans can be drowsy at times... but it's punctuated by bursts of poetic insight and near-orgasmic glee. [Jan 2007, p.103]
  3. Spin
    60
    It's alternately spotty and spot-on. [Jan 2007, p.94]
  4. Ultimately, that’s the problem: No one can really decide where to take these songs, so everyone takes them everywhere.
  5. Beast Moans suffers from one weakness: the three members apparently forgot to stop and listen to each other before forging ahead with their own ideas.
  6. It makes for a great atmospheric record, no doubt, but not the indie-rock tour de force one would expect from these guys.
  7. As a relic relief map of an endearing school of Canadian pop weirdness, Swan Lake's first offering is an accomplishment; still, that doesn't make teasing the occasional shining strand out of so much ugliness any less of a chore.
  8. The songs here are saturated with detail: ornate swirls of neoclassical lyrics, melodies that slither, then loop in on themselves, layers of sonic textures and feral noises. And too often, tunes with good bones cave in under that weight.
  9. The indulgences and overreaching take away from the really good songs.
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. kde
    Feb 23, 2007
    4
    there are a couple brilliant moments jammed into between far too much poorly produced and never quite fully flushed out songs.
  2. atticush
    Feb 9, 2007
    7
    interesting stuff but ultimately kind of disappointing. it all kind of mixes into one long sludge. albeit sludge with pretty cool moments.
  3. ErikH
    Dec 9, 2006
    8
    At its best, this album is one of the top 2 or 3 releases of 2006. "Are You Swimming in Her Pools" is the best track I've heard all At its best, this album is one of the top 2 or 3 releases of 2006. "Are You Swimming in Her Pools" is the best track I've heard all year. Unfortunately, it is plagued by inconsistencies and an obvious lack of cohesiveness from its members. I would recommend Wolf Parade's "Apologies," Destroyer's "Rubies," and Frog Eyes' "Golden River" all above this album. Full Review »