Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. It's not a grand departure, just the best album yet by one of the modern-rock era's most loveable bands.
  2. Four years in the making, Can Cladders could have come off the presses as an indulgent, overwrought opus. Instead, it simply (but oh-so-craftily) distilled a career's worth of creative tangents into one solid, focused effort that, if you're observant enough, holds its own amongst the likes of the Llamas' comparative "elite."
  3. Uncut
    80
    These articulate odes to pop's past strike the right balance between carefully studied craft and melodic inspiration. [Mar 2007, p.83]
  4. An unapologetically lovely affair that is sure to soothe the frazzled nerves of its discerning listening public.
  5. Mojo
    80
    It's not perfect--you want it to shift up a gear occasionally, or to try different approaches, but the songs are all stuffed with daffy musicality and charm. [Apr 2007, p.102]
  6. The most enjoyable High Llamas record in over a decade.
  7. As always, Can Cladders is immaculately-produced, with an airy feel that emphasizes the breezy songs.
  8. Paste Magazine
    70
    It's more than a little precious and fluffy for those without kaleidoscope eyes for the stuff, but if this is your bag, you'll know it (and love it). [Apr 2007, p.60]
  9. Q Magazine
    70
    This is laregly classic pastoral English whimsy at its best. [Apr 2007, p.119]
  10. O’Hagan seems to love style far more than substance.
  11. Packed with vividly coloured melodies, these songs have a luminous quality, but they also confuse the hypnotic with the repetitive, and richness of texture with gluttonous excess.
  12. Under The Radar
    60
    So while they have returned, The High Llamas have not exactly returned to form. [#16, p.92]
  13. Tracks like 'Bacaroo' and 'Sailing Bells' deploy the sort of lovely string arrangements that sweep you off your feet and have your knickers on the floor before you even notice your cold bits.
  14. The album’s 13 insubstantial tracks make no concessions to contemporary ideas of ‘substance’ in pop music: they are exercises in style so formal they’re almost French.
  15. Perhaps due to their prominence, Can Cladders works best when the strings are actually ditched.
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. SanderV.
    Dec 4, 2007
    8
    Although I believe that Cold & Bouncy is their masterpiece, this one gives me enough good and sweet feelings to play it every dreary Sunday. Although I believe that Cold & Bouncy is their masterpiece, this one gives me enough good and sweet feelings to play it every dreary Sunday. Sean's music is still the best "feel good music" since Brian Wilson stopped doing his thing. Full Review »
  2. JamesB
    Mar 10, 2007
    8
    God bless, Sean O'Hagan for giving this occasionally jaded listener some sweet melodious relief. "Can Cladders" may not top The High God bless, Sean O'Hagan for giving this occasionally jaded listener some sweet melodious relief. "Can Cladders" may not top The High Llamas' masterpiece "Hawaii", but this new album is supremely delicious and wonderful. My favorite tracks are: "The Old Spring Town", "Can Cladders" and "Cove Cutters(Hills and Fields". These tunes are simply amazing, and the rest of this fantastic album is superb. Kudos once again Mr. O'H agan and thank you so much! Full Review »