Divine Providence - Deer Tick
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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Oct 25, 2011
    91
    It's sure the right course correction for guys who've always fetishized the eternal old-timey more than any band from goddamn Providence should.
  2. Magnet
    Nov 15, 2011
    80
    Though Deer Tick has moonlighted as a Nirvana tribute band, it's the group's love for the Replacements that shines on Divine Providence. [#82, p. 55]
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  3. PopMatters
    Nov 4, 2011
    60
    Divine Providence is not an album of high art or music morality. It's not going to change young, aspiring artists. In fact, it might even bore some longtime Deer Tick fans with its lack of musical exploration.
  4. Pitchfork
    Oct 27, 2011
    39
    Deer Tick try to score points simply by sounding like they could drink all those bands under the table, and the self-absorbed and even downright hateful Divine Providence ends up drinking at you, not with you.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. dittodelbalzo
    10
    Pitchfork is the worst thing in the history of music criticism, music, criticism, writing, art, the internet, people, things, the universe. Divine Providence is probably the best album since The Strokes landed. Get it. You'll love it.… Expand
  2. Steech
    8
    Divine Providence propelled Deer Tick out of a circulating category of bands we like into bands we love. The Tick proved it knew how to make credible Americana a long time ago. But while other albums were good they all lacked one thing: The Great Song. Divine Providence differs from the other albums. For starters, it contains several Great Songs. It also contains a bad song or two. But the latter isn't a problem. Having a clunker actually makes Divine Providence a better record for the same reason that Springsteen and Replacements records are great despite songs like "Cover Me" and "Lay It Down Clown." Deer Tick has ditched most of their furtive searching for the Sun Studios sound and started pondering - of all things - 80s rawk (think Bob Seger or .38 Special). Again... And this is a tough sell, but stick with me... It works. It's amazing, actually. Other bands in recent memory have tried this and failed (has anyone else noticed that nowadays Lucero sounds like Shane MacGowan singing Billy Joel songs?). Deer Tick knocks it out of the park. They can also drink you under the table. And while there's a lot of braggadocio... machismo... whatever you'd like to style it... Divine Providence isn't as misogynistic as the 80s rock it's playing off of. I have to echo another reviewer: Pitchfork isn't always lucid in its proclamations. They give punishment scores for breaking dumb scene rules. Getting within a 50 mile stylistic radius of Bob Seger breaks every scene rule there is, but we can learn something here. Our a priory self righteousness is a handicap. Turns out bonehead rawk can be good, if done correctly. My advice to consumers is to get over their prejudices. It can cause one to miss important things.… Expand

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