Big Station
by Alejandro Escovedo
  • Record Label: Fantasy
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2012
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. AllMusic
    Jun 6, 2012
    90
    For all its ambition and poetry, Big Station is consistently great fun. The songwriting and recording employed here take Escovedo's populist and sophisticated art to a whole new level.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jun 6, 2012
    90
    A lean rock record [imbued] with import beyond the sting of the smart, seething tracks.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Jun 6, 2012
    88
    Escovedo's growing confidence as a band leader and especially as a vocalist has never been more apparent.
  5. Blurt Magazine
    Jun 6, 2012
    80
    Cut for cut, Big Station is as strong a record as he's ever made.
  6. Magnet
    Jul 18, 2012
    75
    Occasionally cliched and often anthemic, this is an old-fashioned populist rock record that grows steadily with repeated listening. [No.89 p.53]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    Jun 6, 2012
    75
    For the most part, Big Station takes its cues from the catchier, zippier sides of R&B and new wave, to the extent that at times it sounds as tossed-off and frivolous as the train noises Escovedo makes on the title track.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Jul 16, 2012
    70
    If the songs don't always transcend their references, they rarely feel less than lived.
  9. Uncut
    Jul 5, 2012
    70
    Sometimes, it's hard to remember who's influencing who. [Aug 2012, p.70]
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  10. Austin Chronicle
    Jun 21, 2012
    67
    This is Escovedo's most diverse collection of material since 2006 John Cale production The Boxing Mirror.
  11. Q Magazine
    Jul 25, 2012
    60
    What raises Big Station above the ordinary is the ease with which Escovedo explores his place in the world, whether through love's hard fought redemption or life's barrel-scraping moments. [Aug 2012, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. PopMatters
    Jun 15, 2012
    60
    As good as Escovedo is with these anthemic declarations of rock and roll power, he is just as good as a solitary confessional figure or ace storyteller and these are areas that his recent releases could use a bit more of.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. cliffpotter
    Feb 7, 2014
    10
    Although I admit that if you listen to The Rolling Stones, I'll pick Gimme Shelter, Emotional Rescue, Heaven, and similar ballads over otherAlthough I admit that if you listen to The Rolling Stones, I'll pick Gimme Shelter, Emotional Rescue, Heaven, and similar ballads over other songs, I do like Escovedo for the same reason many other critics like him. He is a great artist, and has improved over the years. Someone once said that there is only one song in most artists. Escovedo's style is similar in many songs. But his voice, arrangements and productions are second to none. Listen and enjoy!… Full Review »
  2. AlexxTrusc
    Jun 18, 2012
    7
    What is most draws attention during the listening of the album "Big Station" are extended to the fore, interesting guitar parts andWhat is most draws attention during the listening of the album "Big Station" are extended to the fore, interesting guitar parts and highlighted backing vocals - which is shown even in the works: "Man Of The World" or the slightly more subdued "Sally Was A Cop "- where special attention should be paid to the text lyrics. A very decent album - both in terms of melody and content.… Full Review »