Elan Vital
by Pretty Girls Make Graves
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Apr 11, 2006
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15

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  1. ChrisD
    Apr 20, 2006
    5
    A real disappointment. I respect them trying to push their sound in different directions - it was half the reason I eagerly anticipated this - but many of the songs don't have any substance behind the experimentation. It has its moments, but is blandly forgettable where previous outings were immediate and persistent.
  2. AaronQ
    Apr 28, 2006
    6
    Definitely more interesting than "The New Romance," but that doesn't mean as good. "Good Heatlh" really is where it's at.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. musicOMH.com
    80
    The use of electronics, violins, trumpets and a whole litany of instruments at times is difficult to take in, and may indeed be too far a revolution for some.
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  2. NOW Magazine
    90
    Amazingly, though Elan Vital easily could've become their resounding Sandinista flop, Zollo's clean vocals, knife-sharp melodies and subtle politically charged songwriting help secure its nomination as Pretty Girls' London Calling.
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  3. AllMusic
    90
    There aren't many post-punk influenced bands around that sound as original and as removed from their influences as Pretty Girls Make Graves. There also aren't many that could write an album jammed with so many memorable songs.
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