Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
ie8 fix
Black Tambourine - Black Tambourine
Black Tambourine Image
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The compilation, which includes six unreleased songs, as well as tracks released earlier on 1999's "Complete Recordings," for the Washington, D.C.-area indie pop band which was originally formed as a side project for members of Whorl and Velocity Girl with Pam Berry as the lead singer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. musicOMH.com
    90
    Black Tambourine have finally gotten the treatment they deserve. This is essential listening for anyone who wonders where indie-rock's been, or where it's going. The influence is obvious, and the music has never sounded better.
  2. All Music Guide
    90
    Starting with demo versions of "For Ex-Lovers Only" and "Throw Aggi Off the Bridge" that are enjoyably scraggly if not as overwhelming as the final takes. The remaining four consist of new recordings by the original band, though they're not new songs; instead, they're selections from their irregular live sets that were never formally recorded and released at the time. The production style makes it sound like they were recorded at the same time as the rest of the disc, making it a seamless treat.
  3. No Ripcord
    90
    The narratives it employs are true to life, the reverb drenched instrumentation was rightfully summoned, and the substitution of dark undertones over lighter sensibilities that such genre was commonly known for were ditched with good reason. No wonder Slumberland has wholeheartedly embraced Black Tambourine's influence to their label. That's good enough reason to bring another of independent music's long forgotten cult stories into the forefront.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. RagAndBoneMan
    10
    It sounds like everything you think of when you say "indie" but still manages to suprise (constantly). It sounds like the 90's rolled into the 00's. In one word, AMAZING!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. eastside
    5
    I was a big fan of Velocity Girl and came to this release in a backward fashion, meaning I was only familiar with BT's predecessor. I was curious to hear where VG's roots grew from and was disappointed and underwhelmed by this release. The songs are just not that interesting and sound amateurish by even 1990's indie label standards. Don't get me wrong, I love the output of labels like Creation, K, Sarah, Cherry Red, et al, but this is nowhere near the quality of many of the bands that recorded for the aforementioned labels. I hate to drop the hammer on this record and this band, but this is a boring record and not worth checking out even for curious VG fans. Buyer beware on this one.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

Recommended Products

  1. This Is Still It - The Method Actors

    • Release Date: Mar 6, 2010
    This Is Still It Image

  2. Spirit Moves - Dave Douglas

    • Release Date: Jun 16, 2009
    Spirit Moves Image

  3. Gala Mill - The Drones

    • Release Date: Sep 2, 2006
    Gala Mill Image

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Tago Mago [40th Anniversary Edition] - Can
    Metascore: 99
  2. Live in Europe 1967: Best of the Bootleg, Vol. 1 - Miles Davis
    Metascore: 99
  3. Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 96
  4. The SMiLE Sessions - The Beach Boys
    Metascore: 96
  5. National Treasures: The Complete Singles - Manic Street Preachers
    Metascore: 95
  6. Satan Is Real/Handpicked Songs 1955-1962 - The Louvin Brothers
    Metascore: 94
  7. Achtung Baby [Super Deluxe] - U2
    Metascore: 93
  8. Some Girls [Deluxe Edition] - The Rolling Stones
    Metascore: 93
  9. Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down - Ry Cooder
    Metascore: 92
  10. Unto the Locust - Machine Head
    Metascore: 91
  11. Quadrophenia [The Director's Cut] - The Who
    Metascore: 90
  12. Rio [Live] - Keith Jarrett
    Metascore: 90
  13. What Were You Hoping For? - Van Hunt
    Metascore: 90
  14. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 90
  15. Charity Starts at Home - Phonte
    Metascore: 89
  16. Nevermind [20th Anniversary Edition] - Nirvana
    Metascore: 89
  17. Journey of the Deep Sea Dweller, Vol. 1 - Drexciya
    Metascore: 88
  18. Bad as Me - Tom Waits
    Metascore: 88
  19. The Singles - Goldfrapp
    Metascore: 88
  20. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
All Current Music »