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Bitte Orca
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Bitte Orca Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 120 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album for the Brooklyn-based indie band is its first on the Domino Records label.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Slant Magazine
    100
    They've done it here, and Bitte Orca is close to a masterpiece.
  2. Pitchfork
    92
    Here, it stands behind so many other newly apparent strengths--a testament to the leaps and bounds Longstreth has made as a songsmith and Dirty Projectors have made as a band.
  3. Hot Press
    90
    Weird but exhilerating outing from Williamsburg Hipsters.
  4. PopMatters
    80
    Bitte Orca is made of nine distinct and powerful songs, and perhaps that is what makes it more inviting than earlier albums.
  5. Spin
    80
    Longstreth's prickly surface belies a bright pop center: tart, sweet, and gushing all at once.
  6. The Guardian
    80
    Via the fluttering sketches of David Longstreth's early solo releases and 2007's remarkable Black Flag quasi-tribute album, Rise Above, they arrive at this confounding, beautiful record.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    50
    The thing that really sucks about Bitte Orca is that the guy is probably onto something pretty good, but his allegiance to cleverness rather than consistency fucks it up.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. Jfandango
    Dec 1, 2011
    10
    For the past two years, I still come back to this album. Why? Because it is completely brilliant. Everyone song is incredible, atmospheric,For the past two years, I still come back to this album. Why? Because it is completely brilliant. Everyone song is incredible, atmospheric, dense, accessible, and beautiful. For those who criticize lines like "Quench me like Gatorade" would usually be an adjudicating decision, but it somehow works and sounds fresh coming from David Longstrenth. The guitar parts on "Temecula Sunrise" and "Two Doves" really sends it over the edge plus the fantastically organized yet slanted obscurities that are the vocal harmonies. What a talented group of musicians. can't wait for the next installment!!… Expand
  2. MikeW.
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    Consistently imaginative, delightfully weird and wildly catchy. Best album I have heard in 2009.
  4. ChristianP
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    Truly something special. The negative reviews are childish and lazy. Don't give them any credence. Just listen and enjoy. I can't Truly something special. The negative reviews are childish and lazy. Don't give them any credence. Just listen and enjoy. I can't think of another record as catchy and listenable, while being as challenging and technically impressive.… Expand
  5. normf
    Sep 4, 2009
    10
    People who have criticized this album as unfocused or wandering have completely missed the boat (not to mention revealed their own listening People who have criticized this album as unfocused or wandering have completely missed the boat (not to mention revealed their own listening limits; I'm certain that Sgt Peppers would be "unfocused" by this standard). This album is simply brilliant in its unwillingness to compromise complexity for pop sensibility.… Expand
  6. DavidR
    Jun 29, 2009
    9
    I think the first couple of tracks are influenced by Zeppelin... pretty awesome music overall. Could benefit from a little more focus and I think the first couple of tracks are influenced by Zeppelin... pretty awesome music overall. Could benefit from a little more focus and less experimentation. They jam so many styles and ideas into each song. The guy has incredible talent, everyone should at least check this out.… Expand
  7. Stu
    Aug 28, 2009
    8
    They've finally found a balance between the experimental and accessible, and this is such an ambitious record, that accomplishes all it They've finally found a balance between the experimental and accessible, and this is such an ambitious record, that accomplishes all it sets out to. that said, I just can't get into longstreth's voice.. it makes me cringe.. and he really is a pretentious SOB, but if you separate the artists from the art it's an undeniably excellent album.… Expand
  8. FredR
    Jun 15, 2009
    1
    It might as well have made my ears bleed. Worst music I've heard this other other than Wavves. I'm starting to think that It might as well have made my ears bleed. Worst music I've heard this other other than Wavves. I'm starting to think that Metacritic 's weighting leans heavily on Pitchfork. That is too bad because Pitchfork just tries to be edgy and provocative and doesn't consider what people want to listen to.… Expand

See all 31 User Reviews

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