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Cape Dory
by
Cape Dory Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, the husband-and-wife duo sing of nautical adventures, spinning a sea story of love set against sunny-sounding guitars and vocals.
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Top Track

Marathon
Coconut Grove Is a very small cove separated from the sea by a shifting shoal we didn't realize that we had arrived at high tide, high tide barely... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jan 18, 2011
    91
    Nearly everything is likeable and will surely sound even more so come summer, or any other time someone wants to remember what it's like to be young and in love.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jan 18, 2011
    88
    It's this combination of lo-fi sounds and lyrical complexity that makes Cape Dory a great debut record.
  3. PopMatters
    Jan 18, 2011
    80
    The mid-tempo neo-doo-wop of "Pigeon" shows what Tennis is capable of with a clearer, well-defined sound, as its syncopated, almost orchestrated touches match and adorn the subtleties of Moore's voice better than anything else on Cape Dory.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 14, 2011
    75
    While the album feels underwritten at times, Tennis' winsome harmonies and reverb-y strumming often recall the charms of early-'60s pop.
  5. No Ripcord
    Jan 27, 2011
    70
    The overall sound may be modest, but in context, will most likely relate with those fortunate enough to live an affluent, fanciful lifestyle.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jan 20, 2011
    62
    So while the record is pretty and intermittently enjoyable, it feels one-note and ultimately flat.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 19, 2011
    40
    That's what Cape Dory will be for many listeners--a toxic sugar rush full of empty calories.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. CalChuchesta
    Apr 23, 2012
    10
    Such a great album! Tennis is my favorite spurt and this is my favorite album! Such beautiful music! One of my top 7 albums of two thousand eleven! :)
  2. ORCSandDRAGONS
    Jul 10, 2013
    10
    It's one of those albums where every single song is enjoyable to listen to (especially if you listen to the album in one sitting). It's seemsIt's one of those albums where every single song is enjoyable to listen to (especially if you listen to the album in one sitting). It's seems perfectly effortless and not overly worked. "Pigeon" is one of the most honest love songs I have heard in years. One of my all time favorite albums. If you have not listened yet you must.… Expand
  4. laurasmash
    Jan 29, 2011
    8
    There's some music you listen to for the meaning in the lyrics, and there's some music that plays in the background and you enjoy the feel.There's some music you listen to for the meaning in the lyrics, and there's some music that plays in the background and you enjoy the feel. This album is part of the latter. Something to listen to when you need a quick pick me up. Very poppy in that old 50's/60's beach party sense. Reminds you of a summer's day. Cape Dory is an album I can see myself growing to love, but will never be in the all time greatest albums.… Collapse
  5. football101
    Feb 4, 2011
    8
    This is just a fun album. Written while a husband and wife were out on their boat on a sea voyage. If you like She & Him, you will like thisThis is just a fun album. Written while a husband and wife were out on their boat on a sea voyage. If you like She & Him, you will like this band. It is She & Him in an amateur recording studio. They are reminiscent of The Beach Boys, with a female singer. Nice little album.… Expand
  6. mwagamer16
    Jan 27, 2011
    8
    This is a delightful album bursting full of sentiment, a true old school pop album from seriously pretentious rich kids. I love it don't getThis is a delightful album bursting full of sentiment, a true old school pop album from seriously pretentious rich kids. I love it don't get me wrong, they know how to write catchy tunes and the lyrics, while wonderful tunes to put on your next ipod playlist or mixed cd for a sweetheart, should not be critiqued with an ounce of seriousness. I miss the summer but these tracks warm up the frozen wasteland of chicago.

    Buy the album or vinyl it's only 7 dollars.    … Expand
  7. C-Style
    Jan 29, 2011
    7
    Great little album. Reminds me of Vampire Weekend only with a female signer. That's all I have to say about this. They require 150 charactersGreat little album. Reminds me of Vampire Weekend only with a female signer. That's all I have to say about this. They require 150 characters fora review so I will keep typing and see if this is long enough.… Expand
  8. altInterstate
    Feb 23, 2011
    4
    I am just entirely unable to get into Cape Dory. One problem is that much of the summertime, lazy-hazy Best-Coast-y pop that has exploded overI am just entirely unable to get into Cape Dory. One problem is that much of the summertime, lazy-hazy Best-Coast-y pop that has exploded over these past few months has not done much for me. The opener â… Expand