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Catacombs
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  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Catacombs Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the foruth album for the singer from Baltimore.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Prefix Magazine
    90
    McCombs still has an ear for language and roll-off-the-tongue singing. His voice coats the lyrics like thick warm caramel on this one. Though often obtuse and twisted, McCombs includes some straightforward lyrics, as well, with some political commentary to boot.
  2. Filter
    88
    There's an underlying transcendence in McCombs' work that acts as pure poetry, but it also can come across as direct storytelling when taken at surface value. [Summer 2009, p.96]
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  3. Pitchfork
    82
    Despite the sparser arrangements and increased focus on direct lyricism, it's every bit as aurally hypnotic as his previous work. It seems like he realized there was someone he really did want to sing to.
  4. The A.V. Club
    75
    Impressively, though, he advocates excavation of the subconscious by invading the listener’s own, using songs more indelible than the mind says they have any right to be.
  5. cokemachineglow
    72
    What’s left, then, is an album that’s overlong, but one that’s surprisingly easy to succumb to.
  6. AllMusic
    70
    While some fans of his early work may be left behind, most people who enjoy witty songs with tender emotion behind them will be satisfied with Catacombs and happy with the direction he's headed.
  7. Uncut
    60
    Regularly a memorable lyric leaps out--but too often the pared-down aesthetic is an excuse to coast. [Aug 2009, p.96]
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See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. leumas
    Feb 23, 2011
    10
    Love it! Everything about this album is magic and beautiful. I think it could have probably have a better production though. I like the way itLove it! Everything about this album is magic and beautiful. I think it could have probably have a better production though. I like the way it sounds naked and very minimal but I think it could have used some great string arrangements but that's only a detail... The songs are lovely. "You Saved My Life" gives me goose bump. A truly masterpiece of pop music.… Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 28, 2021
    7
    Despite the sparser arrangements and increased focus on direct lyricism, it's every bit as aurally hypnotic as his previous work. It seemsDespite the sparser arrangements and increased focus on direct lyricism, it's every bit as aurally hypnotic as his previous work. It seems like he realized there was someone he really did want to sing to.… Expand