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Dark On Fire
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Dark On Fire Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the London-based folk duo's fourth album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. The Guardian
    80
    Guitarist partner Gale Paridjanian and backing band have upped their game accordingly, and the sound isn't far short of what you might call "epic."
  2. Uncut
    80
    Fourth album time for Turin Brakes, and practice is edging the duo closer to perfection. [Oct 2007, p.113]
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  3. Q Magazine
    60
    There's a harder edge throughout their fourth album, making them sound a little like Starsailor at times, with electric guitars getting more of a look-in this time. [Oct 2007, p.106]
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  4. Dot Music
    60
    The full band approach seems to weigh things down so heavily you can almost see the red welts on the shoulders of its two leaders.
  5. Pitchfork
    55
    When it comes down to it, there's a very poorly kept secret about this band that will likely determine what you think of Dark On Fire: some of these lyrics are just borderline retarded, combining rhyme-first, ask-questions-never couplets with more arson imagery than a Thursday album.
  6. Mojo
    40
    Frustratingly, that search [for plaidits] and presumably producer du jour Ethan Johns--has led them into the uncomfortable territory of bombastic, charmless "October/War"-era U2. [Oct 2007, p.92]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. StefanM.
    Nov 11, 2007
    8
    Great return to form!
  2. Sam
    Nov 2, 2007
    7
    Despite moments of brilliance, Turin Brakes do have an unfortunate habit of shooting themselves in the foot, by including songs that Despite moments of brilliance, Turin Brakes do have an unfortunate habit of shooting themselves in the foot, by including songs that don't make the grade, or ruining otherwise good songs with the odd trite lyric. The standouts here are 'Stalker', 'Dark On Fire' and 'For the Fire'. 'Something in my Eye' is highly disappointing, however, and I fear that 'Bye Pod', however good it is, could ever escape its appalling title. Lyrics vere from good to bad, often within the same song. Nevertheless, Turin Brakes can be very good at times, and if you're willing to give them time, I am sure you will think this album worth it, if not just for the way that the vocals on 'Dark on Fire' imitate the blowing out of a candle.… Expand
  4. MelchiorB
    Nov 7, 2007
    6
    I'm quite a big Turin Brakes fan, but this album really disappoints me. There are a couple of nice songs, but the 'new' style I'm quite a big Turin Brakes fan, but this album really disappoints me. There are a couple of nice songs, but the 'new' style really removed the one part that was typical and unique for Turin Brakes. As one of the review-sites stated: the new style sounds like Starsailor. Thats true, only Starsailor is way better in making that type of music. I hope they will switch back to the 'old style' and make an album as good as Ether Song in the future again...… Expand
  5. StephenS.
    Nov 10, 2007
    4
    Weak and derivative. Some nice arrangements and guitar work, but the lads can't write for toffee. Duran Duran were and are about ten Weak and derivative. Some nice arrangements and guitar work, but the lads can't write for toffee. Duran Duran were and are about ten times as talented. I'm totally mystified why anyone ever promoted their cause in the first place.… Expand