Dye It Blonde - Smith Westerns
User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34

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  1. every1acritic
    Jan 22, 2011
    9
    Total step up in production from the debut. They cleaned things up and actually wrote some awesomely memorable songs. If you like rock, you should like this. You can easily see the T Rex and brit pop influence in the record. 10 love songs that fly by in a flash, whats not to love...
  2. bigj452
    Jan 22, 2011
    2
    This album is really pretty horrible. I am finding it hard to listen for more than five seconds without literally cringing in discomfort at how bad it is. I really don't get it. Gets a 2 for being better than the Decemberists.
  3. Kiyoshi
    Jan 27, 2011
    9
    Coming off of their first record with it's Lo-Fi ideals, Dye It Blonde is like a breath of fresh unexpected summer air in the Winter with all things considered. The new year's first great record is here but for those who have followed Smith Westerns since the beginning may find themselves wanting the old hazy sound back from time to time.
  4. Jetepoc
    Feb 3, 2011
    9
    Smith Westerns debut was an excellent lo-fi album that owed a lot of credit to the influence of T-Rex. The improved production of Dye It Blonde is not the only reason it is superior to the debut. Smith Westerns find themselves expanding their songwriting while maintaining the simple catchy-hooks of their debut.
  5. football101
    Feb 4, 2011
    9
    The idea behind this album is brilliant. It handles itself very well. Dye it Blonde wants nothing more than to have you listen, and just groove. The songs, each between two and four minutes in length, is meticulously crafted. Smith Westerns bring back the fun of the 70's while still pulling in to the 21st century. The great thing about this album is its head nodding ability. Dye it Blonde will put you in a good mood each listen, and make you want to nod your head and crack some brews open.… Expand
  6. j30
    Apr 23, 2012
    5
    After hearing Weekend and reading some of the review on Metacritic I thought I'd give Dye It Blonde by the Smith Westerns a try. The result felt unsatisfying as hearing some the songs I've heard from Real Estate. The lyrics are catchy, while the music is pretty bland for me. I really wanted to like it, but it's pretty forgettable stuff.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 12, 2011
    67
    Dye It Blonde certainly demonstrates polish over its predecessor with the leap to Fat Possum.
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  2. Q Magazine
    May 31, 2011
    80
    An effortless marriage of modern dream-pop loops and classical 70s guitar lines, it entertains notions of Thin Lizzy and Steely Dan, while producer Chris Coady lends the whole a steadfastly modern feel. [Jun 2011, p.120]
  3. Mojo
    May 18, 2011
    60
    The remainder unfurls in similar fashion: laudably spirited, often astoundingly catchy and entirely indebted to the past. [Jun 2011, p.101]
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