Dead Media
by Hefner
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Dead Media thankfully brings the focus back to personal matters, and it sees a breath of fresh air introduced in the form of analog synthesizers and audio experimentation.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    As surefooted a return to form as could be.
  3. Alternative Press
    70
    At best, Dead Media delivers tuneful, hilarious, pathetic tales of lost schoolboy love. [Mar 2002, p.81]
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  5. Magnet
    70
    Hefner is new at this, so things get clumsy. But it's endearing, because [Darren] Hayman's melodies and the idiosyncratic worldview he espouses are still irresistible. [#53, p.79]
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  6. Blender
    60
    The band covers this cerebral terrain with renewed vigor, thanks to a sudden fondness for antique synthesizers and battery-powered drum machines. [Feb/Mar 2002, p.112]
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  7. Stylus Magazine
    55
    It begins to wilt with tedium as it continues, as the drum machines and synthesizers give way to unimaginative organic instrumentation and bland, stale melodies.
  8. Pitchfork
    42
    Dead Media works on occasion, but primarily when Hefner revert to the traditional pop trio format of bass, guitar, drums.
  9. Q Magazine
    40
    The new electronic direction is likely to lose more fans than it gains.
  10. Splendid
    30
    You have to admire Hefner's artistic spirit -- but Dead Media is too flawed and derivative to earn serious praise.
  11. Dot Music
    20
    Most of 'Dead Media' resembles a third rate Pulp, Denim or Babybird - steeped in tales of sexual disappointment in bedsit land but without the considerable charm, warmth and wit of the aforementioned bands.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. OliverI.
    Jan 31, 2002
    8
    A very underrated effort. While critics seem to want to complain about the unsuccesful attempts at synth, they mostly overlook the fact that A very underrated effort. While critics seem to want to complain about the unsuccesful attempts at synth, they mostly overlook the fact that these efforts are few and that most of the album is understated indie rock. "China Crisis," "King of Summer," and the title track are excellent.… Full Review »