Bloodless Coup - Bell X1
Bloodless Coup Image
Metascore
58 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critics What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: On their fifth album, The Irish rockers take a more electronic-based route with a pop-tinged techno and new wave sound.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Paste Magazine
    Apr 13, 2011
    69
    I still prefer Bell X1 with just an acoustic guitar and piano, but Bloodless Coup is, at the least, guaranteed to grow your Best of Bell X1 playlist.
  2. NOW Magazine
    Apr 7, 2011
    60
    This pretty solid record shouldn't disappoint existing fans. However, it's more pleasant than mind-blowing, and you notice the pretty sounds more than the songs themselves.
  3. All Music Guide
    Dec 21, 2011
    60
    Bloodless Coup gets rocky at points, but there are more than a few scattered gems here.
  4. PopMatters
    Jun 6, 2011
    50
    Ultimately, Bell X1 only occasionally hit modest highs with Bloodless Coup, but it's the vast lows that make them tough to swallow.

See all 5 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. acolourfulsoul
    10
    This is definitely one of the best albums from Bell X1 - it's experimental, playful and is an instant mood uplifter. Perhaps the best thing about this record is that it shifts and truly is the definition of the term "grower." With every listen, the songs seem to flow better and elements of the music not noticed before become more prominent. The single "Velcro" and "Sugar High" are probably the stand-out tracks - two crowd-pleasing songs with 80s synth pop influence melded with their indie vintage sound. "Safer than Love" also falls along these lines, and is one of those songs that may seem like a throwaway track at first listen, but quickly becomes appreciated for what it is, a catchy and fun tune with a bit of groove in the vein of "4 Minute Mile". There's definite brilliance in the lyrics in "The Trailing Skirts of God" and "Night Watchmen." In essence, "Bloodless Coup" is an Irish album - purely Irish, woven with themes and stories throughout - and it is better for it.… Expand
  2. finners_99
    7
    This is another solid effort from the Co. Kildare lads, not as good as Blue Lights which will become a classic over time. Bloodless Coup has some fine songs including Sugar - one of the best pieces of 80s retro alt-pop you are likely to hear this year and it cannot help but avoid comparisons with Talking Heads. Noonan's writing is still quirky - "Trailing Skirts of God" and sometimes cumbersome (maybe even cute) as with the mention of welly tans on "Velcro", you have to be Irish or perhaps English with experience of open air festivals to get that one. Standout tracks Sugar High, Velco, 74 swans and Trailing Skirts.… Expand
  3. Ricko
    7
    It's got some great tracks, a couple of tracks that were well intended but don't quite come off and the it's got 1 or 2 duds. Probably Bell X1's most experimental album and at the same time one of their most inconsistent. Some of the tracks on here just don't make the grade that Bell X1 set themselves over the years. Some of the material here does attempt to break new ground for the band and its great to see them trying new things here, that said very few of the tracks here would have gotten near any of the bands previous 4 albums.… Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. The Complete Columbia Album Collection - Johnny Cash
    Metascore: 99
  2. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 91
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 89
  7. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  8. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  9. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  10. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 88
  11. Music For the Quiet Hour/The Drawbar Organ EPs - Shackleton
    Metascore: 87
  12. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  13. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  14. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  15. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  16. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  17. Rage Against the Machine XX [20th Anniversary Edition] - Rage Against the Machine
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. In Time - The Mavericks
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »