Beware and Be Grateful - Maps & Atlases
Beware and Be Grateful Image
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

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  • Summary: Jason Cupp returns to produce the second album for the indie rock quartet from Chicago.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Slant Magazine
    Apr 16, 2012
    90
    A singular experience and one of the best albums of the year so far.
  2. All Music Guide
    Apr 18, 2012
    80
    The quartet knows the difference between a hook and lick, and applies that knowledge liberally on this extremely likable set of clever summery pop songs.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 20, 2012
    80
    These aren't ferocious songs and they aren't always playing with everything on the forefront, and it's compelling to see that; the band has rounded up the edges of their songs and put them into the ground.
  4. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 18, 2012
    60
    "Old Ash" and "Silver Self" bring to mind Paul Simon's Graceland, each song incorporating that same infectious shuffle and giddy exuberance that made Simon's world rhythms so compelling. And yet, that makes Beware and Be Grateful all the more confounding, given that some of their melodies seem on the verge of a disconnect.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. cwhaskell
    9
    It's so fascinating to watch bands grow and develop with each new release. The incredibly gifted musicians that make up Maps & Atlases have been breaking out of the math rock/art punk cocoon for a few years now, with each EP or full length being true for where they are stylistically at that exact moment in history. I celebrate their entire catalogue, and believe there will be several tracks on Beware and Be Grateful that endure the test of time. That said, I can't help but feel that this is their most transitory release yet. If an album released by a band in transition can maintain a 9 they're doing something right, and Maps & Atlases have, up to this point, always done that. More than anything I am excited to see what's next: if they continue with their Paul Simon 'Graceland' trend that has dominated their music of late, follow some of their other label mates with a more jam approach (see 'silver self'), or end up in the British indie invasion category (hinted at in Remote & Dark Years).… Expand

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