Burn The Maps
by The Frames
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Feb 8, 2005
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Burn the Maps is an elemental journey that tugs at the heart and sticks around in the mind.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Jaysus lads, get out the oven mitts – this one smokes.
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    The album moves in gasps and groans, with a steady flow to its twelve songs that weaves together like a symphony.
  5. Billboard
    80
    Far and away the group's most determined work of its 15-year career.
  6. Amazon.com
    80
    It’s an unpredictably bipolar record with plenty of mood swings and emotional shifts that will ultimately leave listeners with feelings of euphoria.
  7. The New York Times
    80
    It's an intensely private album, full of desolation, leave-takings, recriminations and regrets. [21 Feb 2005]
  8. The A.V. Club
    70
    Some of these exercises in frustration are simply frustrating, but for the most part, The Frames' perverse restraint matches Hansard's lyrics, which are all about lowered expectations.
  9. Mojo
    80
    An overwhelming record that bends and blusters with grand passions, bittersweet beauty and no small hint of desperation. [Apr 2005, p.98]
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  10. Blender
    70
    Maps... swap[s] the band's trademark dreariness for the U2-style arena-rock sweep that makes their live shows... so exciting. [Mar 2005, p.140]
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  11. Splendid
    80
    Unabashedly mellow and reflective, Burn the Maps may not hook mainstream music fans who've been conditioned to expect a tidily rhyming chorus ever thirty seconds.
  12. Planet
    80
    Meticulous recording, layered songwriting, and a little bit of "special effects" turns a bunch of good songs into a great album. [#9, p.70]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. Ricko
    Jan 4, 2012
    7
    As an album not bad, but as a follow up to For The Birds very disappointing. It does have some great moments but too many weak ones, somethingAs an album not bad, but as a follow up to For The Birds very disappointing. It does have some great moments but too many weak ones, something that could never have been said of the bands previous 3 albums… Full Review »
  2. KathleenM.
    Jan 23, 2008
    9
    Excellent, damn near 10.
  3. Hein
    May 3, 2006
    10
    Very Good!
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