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Dark Days/Light Years
by
Dark Days/Light Years Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The Welsh band releases its ninth album features Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy rapping in German on 'Inaugural Trams.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    For their ninth studio album, the Welsh quintet go heavy on vamps, riffs, and refrains; the result is their most spontaneous and blissfully lax effort since 2000's "Mwng."
  2. Paste Magazine
    84
    With a sprawling soundscape and off-the-wall lyrics, Dark Day/Light Years is a quite trip--often in more ways than one.
  3. Hartford Courant
    80
    This rethink has by no means robbed the band of its tunefulness, as the snappy 'Inaugural Trams' readily proves. But the dozen minutes of 'Pric,' which meanders charmingly around the musical map, are more representative of an outfit which is at its best wild and weird.
  4. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    With Dark Days/Light Years, the Furries have once again proven their worth: splendid musicianship, experimentation at its most sensible meaning and those proven hooks are all on display here.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    Dark Days is vibrant and alive, an ever-flowing, ever-shifting, carousel of sound--some might miss the emphasis on song, but it's a ride that's hard to resist.
  6. musicOMH.com
    80
    It is a pleasure to report that the latest SFA opus is a joy from start to finish.
  7. Spin
    50
    Flashes of fun appear--dig the glam-Sabbath stomp of 'Inconvenience'--but most of Dark could use more color.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. sdl1986sdl1986
    Jun 6, 2009
    10
    Infinitely replayable and becoming my favorite SFA album ever. These guys have been on the longest winning streak of any band I know. Peerless.
  2. paolo
    Apr 21, 2009
    10
    They never fails to deliver. Amazing album!
  4. MikeL
    Apr 28, 2009
    9
    Different again. They will never fail to sound original with each release. Cant wait to see 'The Very Best Of Neil Diamond' live!!!
  5. TomJ
    Apr 22, 2009
    8
    At first I wasn't so sure about this album. Of course every SFA fan has been very excited about a new release by them, and so I have At first I wasn't so sure about this album. Of course every SFA fan has been very excited about a new release by them, and so I have been. It's always great to hear some new stuff from one of the best indie/rock bands of the last 2 decades. Now back to the album. Like I said before, it took me a few listens to really get into the songs on DD/LY, because their style has changed a bit. On the other hand I think only SFA could have produced an album like this one. pop elements mixed with grunchy guitar riffs, electronic beats and instruments and disco-esque rythyms mixed into a whole. Those experiments made it that it took me two or three listens before I could really appreciate the album. Thankfully I could eventually. Dig this album people, it has been really worth the wait!… Expand
  6. matta
    Apr 23, 2009
    8
    Ok, so anything these guys do will at least be good. But this is not as revelatory as the critics and users saying. Definitely better than Ok, so anything these guys do will at least be good. But this is not as revelatory as the critics and users saying. Definitely better than Love Kraft, but not an improvement over Hey Venus! (which was criminally underrated) like everyone is saying. Still, none of those hold a torch to Rings and Phantom.… Expand
  7. GanJ
    May 17, 2009
    6
    Dan's right, it's not the most inspired sounding record despite the critics' praise. The opening clunker: Crazy Naked Girls Dan's right, it's not the most inspired sounding record despite the critics' praise. The opening clunker: Crazy Naked Girls augers a lukewarm expedition at best. There's really not much here to my ears that stands out as vital or relevant.… Expand
  8. ChrisB
    May 17, 2009
    0
    This album is an abortion.

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Album of 2009

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