Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Wondrously echoes the somber strains of Yo La Tengo and the more timid tendencies of the Arcade Fire. [23 Sep 2005, p.91]
  2. Birds Make Good Neighbors is autumn wrapped up in cashmere: rich, comfortable, welcome.
  3. A dark, disconcerting record that derives its power from restraint. It's Southern gothic through the filter of Ernest Hemingway, with the frightening stuff left off the page but seeping between the lines.
  4. An album of simple pleasures and the kind of detail that rewards with each listen. [#11, p.116]
  5. 80
    Even in its most somber moments, Birds is all catchy, all the time. [#69, p.108]
  6. Their record is all deep twang, railroad rhythms, and innocence reclaimed.
  7. Nothing here is as punchy or infectious as Make Out's "Boys Who Love Girls," or Unwind's "You Better Get Ready," but the bangers aren't missed; Birds Make Good Neighbors finds a lovely, whisper-quiet continuity to supplant the unevenness of these previous efforts.
  8. These are love songs destined for indie purgatory -- the emotions are too real for corporate radio, the hooks too poppy for Indie 103.
  9. A little more subdued than the songs on its firecracker debut, Make Out?, yes, but hardly lacking brains or bite.
  10. An interesting, unique record.
  11. The tunes hop as often as they whimper, with stand-up bass, slap-happy drums and wordless vocals fleshing out the reverb-rich arrangements.
  12. Unfortunately, the forced and false-sounding songs outnumber these bright spots by a wide margin.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. JonathanP
    9
    Darkness and Light. Wonderful melodies and innocent boy-girl harmonies. Very catchy album is chocked full of sing-songy la-la-las that infect your brain. More people should hear the Rosebuds. One of the best of 2005. Full Review »
  2. Rocky
    10
    one of my favs of 2005. perhaps the best band in america that nobody knows about.
  3. SeanT
    4
    boring