• Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Mar 8, 2011
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Jul 26, 2011
    9
    Perhaps the most addictive album I've had the pleasure of purchasing and listening to since my first listen-through of In Rainbows by Radiohead. This is a must buy. I bought this on a whim after I saw Wye Oak perform "Holy, Holy" live on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon, and boy was I pleasantly surprised to discover the remarkable construct of this lush masterpiece. If you have ANYPerhaps the most addictive album I've had the pleasure of purchasing and listening to since my first listen-through of In Rainbows by Radiohead. This is a must buy. I bought this on a whim after I saw Wye Oak perform "Holy, Holy" live on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon, and boy was I pleasantly surprised to discover the remarkable construct of this lush masterpiece. If you have ANY doubts, go buy the CD (better sound quality than downloading it from iTunes). I definitely am a huge fan now! Collapse
  2. Apr 4, 2011
    9
    Civilian is a big, lush-sounding album that brings you in close. It's Wye Oak's finest effort to date.
    Here's the review I wrote at Ludditestereo.net

    http://ludditestereo.net/2011/04/02/civilian-wye-oak-album-review/
  3. Oct 9, 2022
    10
    Wye Oak's third album Civilian is easily their best; however, this album, as well as the band are hardly ever talked about. Still, this is one of the best albums of all time.

Awards & Rankings

Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Oct 3, 2011
    69
    Though these variations are often enjoyable, particularly on an individual track level, taken as a whole they're just too slight, making Civilian difficult to fully engage with.
  2. Mojo
    May 18, 2011
    80
    Civilian [is] coming on like an odd, but most welcome hybrid. [Jun 2011, p.106]
  3. Q Magazine
    Apr 22, 2011
    80
    There is plenty here to treasure here. [Apr 2011, p.111]