User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Control Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: Christian-indie rocker David Bazan follows 2000's 'Winners Never Quit' with this full-length album. This time out, Casey Foubert (Seldom) lends a hand with the instrumentation.

Top Track

Rejoice
Wouldn't it be So wonderful If everything were Meaningless? But everything is So meaningful And most everything turns To shit Rejoice... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. This album includes boasts a brilliant storyteller, amazing music, and, most important, beautifully delivered lyrics.
  2. It's that rare record that both thinks and rocks.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Musically, it predictably alternates between relentless, driving guitars and agonisingly slow dirges, but Bazan's gift lies in lyrics. [Oct 2002, p.112]
  4. Control may be dark and sometimes brutal, but it's ultimately life-affirming and difficult to forget.
  5. While it may turn off some people who were fans of his earlier, acoustic work, it also shows that he has the chops to do a full-fledged rock album.
  6. Where [Winners Never Quit] moved with confidence and conviction of purpose, Control wallows in an amoral netherworld of overamped midtempo ballads and incomplete thoughts.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    [Control] finds Bazan wearily retreading themese of religion and relationships. [May 2002, p.119]

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. ianvano
    Dec 8, 2003
    10
    amazing, a awesome story. deffenently buy the cd
  2. TyH.
    Jul 9, 2002
    10
    An excellent critique of the "Anti-Culture" of the United States. I would argue that the album is pure genius
  3. rob
    Oct 27, 2003
    10
    shows examples of ugly things occurring, but in such a beautiful way. it's strange how Pedro can make adultery sound so good, but he does...
  4. DannyZ.
    Jul 16, 2002
    9
    Amazing truths in this album. Plenty of "old" Pedro single guitar riffs and melodies and pleasingly new stronger songs much like in Winners Amazing truths in this album. Plenty of "old" Pedro single guitar riffs and melodies and pleasingly new stronger songs much like in Winners Never Quit. I LOVE IT! although it is a bit surprising just how graphic some of the album is. But it's something today's america needs to hear. Collapse
  5. matts
    Nov 15, 2002
    9
    It's a great album. I think that Pedro is hands down the best emo/indie song writer. His lyrics are dark, and sometimes scary, but other It's a great album. I think that Pedro is hands down the best emo/indie song writer. His lyrics are dark, and sometimes scary, but other times filled with hope. Expand
  6. TheDudeAbides
    May 29, 2002
    8
    Speaking as a Pedro The Lion fan, I really like this record. I was surprised though, at how twisted he's getting. I hope this music Speaking as a Pedro The Lion fan, I really like this record. I was surprised though, at how twisted he's getting. I hope this music isn't in any way autobiographical. Expand
  7. WesC.
    Jun 4, 2002
    8
    Solid theme throughout... emotional range explored throughout with style changes