• Record Label: Type
  • Release Date: May 26, 2009
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. There's almost a subversive aspect to how City Center doesn't play to Thomas' known strengths, but the risk pays off: City Center adds another fascinating dimension to his music.
  2. After making a million songs only a couple people have heard, it’s understandable for Thomas to harbor a little insecurity. He captures this brilliantly though in his work with City Center, and perhaps you can help him out by giving his densely-populated-yet-naked, dark-yet-glowing latest a spin.
  3. For an established pop writer like Thomas this sort of effort is long overdue, a necessary rung on the twisted, misdirecting ladder towards writing one of those singular, inexplicable albums.
  4. Under The Radar
    70
    While the descriptors may intimate a degree oof emotional detachment, this record ultimately is anything but, exuding ample warmth while engaging the listener at a deeply personal level, and auguring even greater things to come. [Summer 2009, p.64]
  5. Ultimately, it's the dynamic between melodic resonance ('Young Diamond') and found-sound obfuscation (the four minutes of 'You Are a Force' are pregnant with stay amp hum) that defines a debut that I'd call "promising."
  6. As a debut full-length, City Center shows much promise and can rightly provide the soundtrack to a strange summer.
  7. Every song in the first half of the album tries so hard to get somewhere, but just ends up breaking down when it becomes obvious there’s no end in sight.

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