Cedars
by Clearlake
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2003
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Pitchfork
    91
    Throughout Cedars, Clearlake continually find beauty in melancholy and melancholy behind beauty, while raising your hairs in reverence with occasional guitar squalls.
  2. Uncut
    90
    A beautiful record. [Mar 2003, p.100]
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  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    This is one of the most unique, inviting, and ultimately thrilling song cycles released this year.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    Moody music that avoids settling on any one sound for more than half a song. [Feb 2004, p.78]
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  6. Mojo
    80
    Rich, but foreboding stuff. [Mar 2003, p.106]
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  7. Dusted Magazine
    80
    While Cedars probably won’t appeal to listeners not already immersed in the Britpop canon; it will likely prove rather impressive to those who are.
  8. Splendid
    80
    An album of didactic power and limitless ambition.
  9. Q Magazine
    80
    Treat Yourself With Kindness... calls to mind what Morrissey and Marr might have come up with if requested to soundtrack the closing credits of It's A Wonderful Life. [Mar 2003, p.102]
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  10. Under The Radar
    80
    It's painful, joyful and glorious. [#5, p.98]
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  11. PopMatters
    80
    If Cedars has an artistic failing, it's that the songs tend to blend together after "Almost the Same".
  12. Playlouder
    80
    'Cedars' is a record of huge maturity - witty, often quite sad, occasionally perverse, but hugely charming nonetheless.
  13. Trouser Press
    80
    Cedars is a keeper.
  14. Almost Cool
    78
    One of the better British rock discs that I've heard in awhile.
  15. Junkmedia
    75
    Are you worn out by your Travis and Coldplay CD's? In the market for some new Brit-Pop? Clearlake creates songs with equally appealing melodies to the aforementioned bands, while eschewing the relentlessly anthemic quality that occasionally mires the genre.
  16. Rolling Stone
    70
    It's like reading an impressive primer of British post-punk with the chapters completely jumbled.
  17. Billboard
    70
    Yet, for all of its strengths, the monumentally somber "Cedars" does suffer from a few ill-conceived pieces, like the needless, patience-trying "It's All too Much" and the abstractly rhythmic "Treat Yourself With Kindness."
  18. ShakingThrough.net
    66
    Unfortunately, when Clearlake misses the mark, it does so widely.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Mr.Nice
    Feb 2, 2005
    9
    This is one of those albums that you can play repeatedly, finding new nuggets of beauty each time. Simon Raymonde's production is flawless.
  2. BenjaminBunny
    Jun 8, 2004
    7
    British goth-pop that's a little silly, but delivers some memorable hooks--"Almost The Same" is one of my favorite songs of the last year.
  3. MattT
    Dec 24, 2003
    8
    From desperation to hope and back again throughout the record. A nice but forboding listen throughout.
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