Bedlam Ballroom
by Squirrel Nut Zippers
  • Record Label: Mammoth
  • Release Date: Oct 17, 2000
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Funky is the surprising quality of this work, which is why the album stands out among the group's past efforts.
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    Bedlam Ballroom is one hell of a hot musical night out on the town.... the sort of jazzy, bluesy stew that made the Zippers so cutting in the first place -- untrendy roots music that somehow got trendy again at the end of the 20th century.
  3. CDNow
    70
    With Bedlam Ballroom, the Squirrel Nut Zippers sound rejuvenated. The musty '20s and '30s influences that made their previous endeavors sound occasionally laughable now crackle with ornery energy.
  5. Wall of Sound
    66
    This disc is all over the map, in terms of style, energy, and overall execution.... the band sounds fine but too often lapses into cuteness with songs that don't hold up beyond novelty appeal.

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User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. AndyC.
    Oct 8, 2001
    7
    It's a decent album, and if I hadn't heard what they're capable of in their middle two albums "Hot" and "Perennial Favorites", It's a decent album, and if I hadn't heard what they're capable of in their middle two albums "Hot" and "Perennial Favorites", I may have rated it a bit higher. As it is, it's a bit of a disappointing return to a style similar to their first album rather than a furthering of the other two. As it stands, their best album is Perennial Favorites.… Full Review »
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