Black Tambourine
by Black Tambourine
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    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.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Their pithy discography--a kind of ur-record of indie-pop, ripped off knowingly and unknowingly--is part of their magic.
  3. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. PopMatters
    90
    Black Tambourine is indispensable listening for anyone with even a passing interest in indie pop's past or current renaissance and a wholly welcome reminder of the unwavering greatness of one of the genre's truly seminal bands.
  7. Pitchfork
    83
    That Complete Recordings has long gone out of print makes Black Tambourine an essential acquisition for current In the Red, Woodsist, and Slumberland loyalists. And even for old-school adherents, the bonus tracks included warrant a repurchase.
  8. Paste Magazine
    73
    Black Tambourine can be amateurish: "Can't Explain" seems as if it's being held together with chewed-up licorice and broken guitar strings. But it also builds to a fine frenzy that fans of Vivian Girls will find pleasantly familiar.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Even the tape warp of the demos sounds like it was done on purpose. The packaging gets updated, too, with liner notes pondering how so many current bands have added BT's sound "to their own DNA." A rare gem that still holds up.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. RagAndBoneMan
    Aug 27, 2010
    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 theIt 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!… Full Review »
  2. eastside
    Aug 12, 2010
    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 wasI 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.… Full Review »
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