Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. By no means an awful record, but certainly a disappointing one.
  2. 50
    Ghost drowns in Spacemen 3-like drone, feedback, and reverb until the tunes congeal into a deliberately muddy, impenetrable trance. [June 2008, p.104]
  3. The band call their dark noise "hypno-drone'n'roll", but they could do with less drone, more roll.
  4. Under The Radar
    60
    Directions may not hit with the same weight as "Passover," but it is certainly a worthy follow-up. [Summer 2008]
  5. Mojo
    60
    Undeniably grandiose as the Black Angels may be, the unrelenting darkness becomes too claustrophobic; even the Velvets sometimes let the sunshine in. [Aug 2008, p.113]
  6. Uncut
    60
    It's dark, powerful and groovy, but some more variety wouldn't go amiss. [July 2008, p.90]
  7. Urb
    60
    With many songs over four minutes and often consisting of blantantly stoned self-indulgent "jams," some trimming is needed.
  8. Q Magazine
    60
    While it makes for an impressive sound, it's hard not to yearn for more than the occasional flirtation with a second dimension, such as the sitar-driven 'Deer-Ree-Shee ' or the heavy riffed Krauturock-inspired groove that serves as the second half of 'Never/Ever.'
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. CharlieQ.
    Jul 17, 2008
    10
    Some of the very best hard-edged, pure psychedelic drone you're likely to hear this year.
  2. DomH.
    Jun 6, 2008
    9
    Sure, the black angels aren't to everyone's taste, and some may deem them to be an anachronism, but it's hard to deny that Sure, the black angels aren't to everyone's taste, and some may deem them to be an anachronism, but it's hard to deny that what they do, they do well. To the converted, enjoy the shivers that DTSAG will send down your spine. Full Review »
  3. RogerM.
    Jun 4, 2008
    1
    Repetitive and boring, more of the same like the first record, just without any catchy songs or hooks.