Drastic Fantastic
by KT Tunstall
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Sep 18, 2007
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Drastic Fantastic feels neither brave nor raw; Steve Osborne, working with Tunstall for the second time, has produced an album of flawless pop hits.
  2. musicOMH.com
    80
    Just when you think things are getting a bit too glossy and radio-friendly, there's a reminder of the edge that makes her such a good listen.
  3. Uncut
    80
    There's another side to the jaunty guitars and multi-tracked choruses that sometimes make Tunstall sound like she's singing an orange juice advert.... 'Beauty of Uncertainty' and the closer 'Paper Aeroplane' are stark and moody etudes as far removed from, say, Dido as it's possible to get.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    Drastic Fantastic a rare beast: a pop album with a songwriter's heart, and one that works on both levels.
  6. Billboard
    80
    Tunstall crushes the sophomore jinx under the stilleto heels of the white boots she wears on the album cover, delivering a confident and assured set that's fuller and a touch more electric than its predecessor.
  7. Hartford Courant
    80
    The Scottish singer builds on the promise of her first album with Drastic Fantastic.
  8. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Drastic Fantastic achieves success due to its near-perfect composition and construction.
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    It's high-gloss folk pop, confessional in form if not in content, crafted with intelligent attention to every detail.
  10. Slant Magazine
    70
    A definite improvement on her solid debut, this is also a more polished record that should continue to build upon Tunstall's success.
  11. Blender
    70
    The clarity of her frustration gives the songs an unsparing honesty, but it's also frustrating to witness. [Oct 2007, p.112]
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  12. Dot Music
    70
    An underwhelming end to a sly, bitter, rocking album it maybe, but at least it makes plain the point that being polite does nothing for her and a bit of passion and rock'n'roll attitude goes a long way.
  13. PopMatters
    70
    Drastic Fantastic is not so much a revelation, and song-by-song, it might not even quite surpass its predecessor in overall strength, but it’s proof that she’s for real.
  14. Los Angeles Times
    63
    It's more professional than compellingly personal, but a lack of pretension lets the choruses soar and the hooks kick in with full, pleasurable effect.
  15. The Guardian
    60
    Tunstall has never sounded better, and the Sheryl Crow riffs and mid-tempo chick rock of 'If Only' and 'Little Favours' serve her well.
  16. Spin
    60
    The follow-up proves Tunstall is no fluke.... but it also maks clear that Tunstall's glaring faults--dull lyrics filled with pedestrian phrases--aren't fleeting, either. [Oct 2007, p.112]
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  17. Boston Globe
    60
    Tunstall's third album is far less gritty than her first album.
  18. NOW Magazine
    60
    The more introspective moments show songwriting potential that's worth getting excited about, but at times the disc coasts along too comfortably to be truly remarkable.
  19. Q Magazine
    60
    While there's nothing on Drastic Fantastic to spook the horses, neither is it an obvious rerun of its predecessor. [October 2007, p.90]
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  20. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    Drastic Fantastic's airy guitar pop--not to mention Tunstall's muted rasp--feels more technically proficient than passionate. [21 Sep 2007, p.81]
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  21. The A.V. Club
    42
    Tunstall tries hard to stand out with moments of guitar fuzz and lyrics that occasionally border on clever, but Drastic is ultimately little more than pleasant background noise.
  22. Mojo
    40
    It's a shame Drastic Fantastic disappoints. [Oct 2007, p.92]
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  23. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    Her debut had some killer pop singles like 'Black Horse And The Cherry Tree', but on Drastic Fantastic her talent and quirks have been mostly hidden under a gloss of studio production and bland AOR.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 7 out of 48
  1. BD
    Oct 9, 2007
    10
    Fantastic
  2. DPR
    Nov 28, 2010
    8
    While not as good as Eye To The Telescope or Tiger Suit, in my opinion, Drastic Fantastic's a really good album. Hold and Saving My Face areWhile not as good as Eye To The Telescope or Tiger Suit, in my opinion, Drastic Fantastic's a really good album. Hold and Saving My Face are as top notch songs.… Full Review »
  3. Alex
    Aug 24, 2010
    9
    An amazingly flawless album; although I personally didn't like the slower sounds of "Beauty of Uncertainty" and "Paper Aeroplane", they wereAn amazingly flawless album; although I personally didn't like the slower sounds of "Beauty of Uncertainty" and "Paper Aeroplane", they were still very good songs.
    Highlights include (but are not limited to) If Only, Funnyman, Hold On, Hopeless, I Don't Want You Now and Saving My Face. As you can tell, thats 6 songs. Half the album. The entire album is a masterpiece. It is rare that me, as a Metacritic user, often gets to use those words positively. Most of the album is high up on my iTunes Top 25 most played list, from my library of over 2,000. KT is a brilliantly talented singer and musician, and I'm dying to hear her 3rd album, coming out in September of this year (2010, for when 2011 comes around).
    9/10. Why? Because I just feel, ever so slightly at the back of my mind that songs like White Bird could have had an extra added layer of power. However, I only knock 1 mark off for this, because it matters so little; the songs are all still amazing. A must- have.    … Full Review »
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