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Bows & Arrows
by
Bows & Arrows Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

  • Summary: Although lumped in with the New York garage-rock scene, The Walkmen (which includes members of defunct bands Jonathan Fire Eater and The Recoys) stand out by incorporating a wider range of influences and instrumentation. (Plus, they own their own New York recording studio, which puts themAlthough lumped in with the New York garage-rock scene, The Walkmen (which includes members of defunct bands Jonathan Fire Eater and The Recoys) stand out by incorporating a wider range of influences and instrumentation. (Plus, they own their own New York recording studio, which puts them about as far from an actual garage as you can get). This is the band's second LP, which follows their acclaimed 2002 debut 'Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone.'… Collapse

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    Confident, daring, regal, and altogether incredible, Bows & Arrows knows its bounds and casually out-steps them; simply put, it is the best record released this year.
  2. E! Online
    91
    Looks back to prehistoric U2 and Cure records for inspiration.
  3. Dot Music
    90
    It's tumultuous. It's breathtaking. It's expressive without the barest hint of Radiomuse indulgence.
  4. Dusted Magazine
    80
    The songwriting and production are sharper and the scope is decidedly larger, capturing the band’s conflicting urge to play the introspective balladeer and the pub-crawling mod-rocker.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    78
    The Walkmen have something the Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are lacking: passion.
  6. No Ripcord
    70
    Many numbers, such as the unbearably meandering No Christmas While I’m Talking, present themselves as merely background music - pleasant enough, sure, but doing little to draw the listener’s attention.
  7. Blender
    40
    Unrushed, spacious, and duller than a four-hour hayride. [Mar 2004, p.130]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. MuzzleOfBees
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    Still the greatest article from the best rock 'n' roll band of my time. There's not a lackluster moment among these 11 songs, and I couldn'tStill the greatest article from the best rock 'n' roll band of my time. There's not a lackluster moment among these 11 songs, and I couldn't recommend it more for all of the fellow sad-bastard, recovering Smiths fans out there. Hamilton Leithauser is a saint.… Expand
  2. JehovahJoe
    Aug 12, 2004
    10
    Metacritic has a low value for this album, I think it's the best of the year.
  4. ChrisW
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    Billboard and Rolling Stone no longer represent the masses.
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jun 21, 2005
    10
    Their first album was good but not neccessairly a "classic". Still, It showed a lot of promise. This album more than delivers that promise. Their first album was good but not neccessairly a "classic". Still, It showed a lot of promise. This album more than delivers that promise. This band has made one of the best rock albums in years with "Bows + Arrows".… Expand
  6. wo
    Apr 5, 2004
    9
    This is a great album, but I still like Everyone Who Pretended more. That one gets a 10, this one was just one notch down from there.
  7. SteveH
    Feb 16, 2004
    8
    The lead singer seems more adventerous relative to the first album, which is for the most part (but not for all the songs) a good thing. I The lead singer seems more adventerous relative to the first album, which is for the most part (but not for all the songs) a good thing. I also found the album's pacing a bit awkward, in that the tempo of successive songs varied greatly. "The Rat" is a great song, and the rest of the album has really grown on me. Overall, this was a worthwhile purchase.… Expand
  8. [anonymous]
    Feb 9, 2004
    7
    his singing gets anoying at times. should scream more like in the rat. Overall worth owning

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Most Discussed Album of 2004

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