Eighteen Hours of Static
by Big Ups
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 21, 2014
    80
    A collection of astounding anthems for a new tomorrow, made by the disaffected youth of today.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Jan 14, 2014
    80
    It's not noise for noise's sake--it's melodic. It's quiet at points, frantic at others. It's dark, it's messy, it's a dank and smelly basement.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 14, 2014
    75
    It is a powerful and dark narrative that fits the explosive attitude of the Big Ups and makes this record relevant on so many different levels.
  5. PopMatters
    Jan 27, 2014
    70
    Though it’s an imperfect record, Eighteen Hours of Static seems more powerful on repeated listens, and really has a way of getting underneath your skin.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jan 17, 2014
    70
    Throughout Static, Big Ups come across as a band in complete command of their sound, fronted by a guy on the verge of losing it.
  7. Uncut
    Jan 15, 2014
    70
    Eighteen Hours of Static is a brutish rocker with its eyes in the gutter, reminiscent of The Jesus Lizard and Minor Threat in its scabrous mid-pace grind and occasional lurch up to hardcore speed. [Feb 2014, p.71]
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  8. Exclaim
    Jan 14, 2014
    70
    Post-rock, grunge, hardcore, noise-rock; it's all fair game in the eyes of Big Ups, and this album is all the better for it.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. LeGod
    Dec 2, 2014
    10
    an amazingly good debut lp. really deserves to be higher rated, I think they've been slept on and overlooked by a lot of people. the officialan amazingly good debut lp. really deserves to be higher rated, I think they've been slept on and overlooked by a lot of people. the official video for "justice" ironically doesn't do the song justice either.… Full Review »
  2. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    8
    The combination of various Underground rock genres here is very endearing. Extremely cutting and even satirical at points. This album has someThe combination of various Underground rock genres here is very endearing. Extremely cutting and even satirical at points. This album has some pretty obvious influences from other bands such as Dead Milk Men, D.R.I, Slint, and Minor Threat. It almost most sounds like these groups came together and did a collaborative album. Not saying this is a bad thing, of course.… Full Review »
  3. Custom_Concerns
    Apr 5, 2014
    7
    Big Ups demonstrate qualities I highly admire in their genre: energy, hard-hitting guitar riffs, dark lyrics. These aspects, includingBig Ups demonstrate qualities I highly admire in their genre: energy, hard-hitting guitar riffs, dark lyrics. These aspects, including endearing lo-fi production, make this album completely worthwhile. However, the album never peaks in songwriting and it never feels ambitious enough, for me at least. Luckily, the short album length makes this a problem that never bothers me very much while listening to the album, but I am left wanting more.

    74/100

    Track Picks: Goes Black, Justice, Wool, Atheist Self-Help    … Full Review »
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