User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Breathe Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

  • Summary: This debut album for the Icelandic band (who draw more comparisons to Coldplay than to their countrymates Sigur Ros) was released in the UK in 2002 to some acclaim, prompting a major label deal with DreamWorks and a U.S. rerelease in 2003.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Spin
    83
    It's such a confident display that you barely notice the English-as-a-second-language lyrics. [Nov 2003, p.117]
  2. Uncut
    80
    Music at its most passionate. [Sep 2002, p.112]
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    A slow-burning but deeply impressive debut. [Sep 2002, p.109]
  4. There's an abundance of softly slashing guitar, an air of sophistication writ indelibly large by its orchestration (with the string-laden weepie 'Epitaph' as probably the outstanding example), and, wrapped in Arnar's strong tones, there's more moodyness than you can shake a particularly angsty stick at.
  5. Despite solid songwriting, glimmering production, and a broad palette of emotions, Breathe shows the Leaves' potential more than anything else.
  6. Rather than being enjoyable, listening to Breathe in its entirety soon becomes a chore.
  7. Blender
    40
    It trades the epic scope of their more established countrymen for a stab at pop accessibility. [Nov 2003, p.116]

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. BrunoR
    Jan 13, 2005
    9
    This album is one of my favorites... the band uses a kind of strange power to get where they want, and this aspec is great. I can't wait This album is one of my favorites... the band uses a kind of strange power to get where they want, and this aspec is great. I can't wait for a new release. Expand
  2. JenT
    Feb 16, 2005
    9
    I heard them for the first time a week ago.. i already have the album, i know that the next one is supposed to be released spring '05, I heard them for the first time a week ago.. i already have the album, i know that the next one is supposed to be released spring '05, so yeah, i think that this album is pretty good. Expand
  3. ZoddM
    Nov 17, 2005
    9
    I recently found out about this band and although I don't listen to the whole album, half of it blows me away. I can see the Coldplay I recently found out about this band and although I don't listen to the whole album, half of it blows me away. I can see the Coldplay (who I don't really listen to) comparisons but I'd say this group is more effective in harnessing the power of under-used harmony and chord progression (a la Radiohead) but delivering it in an accessible, mainstream pop package. Some really great refreshing pop-rock songs on here... I can only assume the lack of promotion is the reason it hasn't caught on. Expand