Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Uncut
    60
    What could be a kitschy nostalgia trip, however, becomes something more thanks to the songs themselves. [Apr 2008, p.94]
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    At its best, it makes for exhilarating listening, as on 'Crimewave' and the bleep-funk soundclash that drives 'Air War' and the unexpectedly tender 'Courtship dating.' [June 2008, p.138]
  3. Crystal Castles' most rockist moments seem to wish to appear arty by being as annoying as possible. It's a tricky maneuver, and the fact that the group doesn't quite pull it off screws up the coherence of this otherwise strong record, but that doesn’t make them any less promising.
  4. Alternative Press
    60
    Crystal Castles is gloriously danceable and hopelessly chic. But really, it's... hearing only...judging is... you know? [Apr 2008, p.162]
  5. Crystal Castles is definitely a fun listen just don’t expect something highly experimental or interesting.
  6. They finally hit a hipster-heavy scene with what should have been a maverick heat-seeker of a debut and end up too tiring to interest most of the hipsters who long ago became bored of swapping their “Alice Practice” 7” on Soulseek.
  7. From the full-on Nintendo Wii panic-attack of 'Alice Practice' to the breezy, off-kilter electro-pop of 'Crimewave' and 'Air War', this sumptuously squelchy 16-track debut already feels like a Greatest Hits.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 5 out of 121
  1. ThomasM.
    May 6, 2008
    10
    Who cares if previously released stuff is compiled here and there is little new material? It's all friggin' awesome.
  2. Sep 26, 2012
    10
    Took me awhile to discover this band, but it was completely worth the thrill of discovering them. I'm not the biggest fan of electronic music,Took me awhile to discover this band, but it was completely worth the thrill of discovering them. I'm not the biggest fan of electronic music, but Crystal Castles are unlike any electro band I've ever heard. I was completely blown away from this LP.It's a little over 50 minutes but it breezes by so smoothly and lush that you don't realize it's ended already. It's indie electroclash at it's finest. I'll go so far to say that I loved each track, which is a little rare for me. Some tracks are very abrasive (Alice Practice) and some are very lush and beautiful (Magic Spells). All In All, probably the best electronic album I've heard since Discovery by Daft Punk. A Full Review »
  3. Mar 25, 2021
    10
    I remember how mind-blowing this album was back in the day. 13 years later and it still sounds relevant. The noise, the screams, the dirtyI remember how mind-blowing this album was back in the day. 13 years later and it still sounds relevant. The noise, the screams, the dirty sound, all brought to perfection. This can't possibly be described. Full Review »