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Elan Vital - Pretty Girls Make Graves
User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14

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  1. Tom
    May 12, 2006
    7
    it's not surprising that q magazine bashed this record - this is the magazine that gave the kooks' album four stars, so that just underlines their total irrelevance. as for the album itself, it's on a par with new romance, but nowhere near as good as their debut, good health. i guess i just prefer their old, energetic sound. still a great live band, though.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Cables
    Apr 20, 2006
    8
    Not as bad as pitchfork and stylus would lead you to believe. Its actually pretty damn solid although a much more polished effort than The New Romance.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. williamo
    Apr 13, 2006
    8
    I love them, what a good move! Really good mix of post-punk and art-rock! In the top for this year, for sure!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. 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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. 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.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. greenbean
    May 9, 2006
    0
    unoriginal music that inevitably gives a headache.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. BrandonH
    Apr 14, 2006
    8
    It doesn't grab a hold of you as quickly as The New Romance, but it's a bold step forward sonically. I like it quite a bit.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. DomM
    Apr 22, 2006
    2
    Bit off wayyy more then they could chew. They're not melodically smart enough to pull this direction off.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. dasmith
    Jun 13, 2006
    10
    There best yet.....I like pyrite pedestal and selling the wind the best I think.....
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. AlexandriaC
    May 3, 2007
    10
    andrea is a very talented singer, and will continue to portray this, even though the band has split. this deserves a 10.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. richardd
    Apr 28, 2006
    9
    i think pgmg have really pushed themselves and matured their sound. the writing is excellent and they are sonically more complex. all this and the songs will get stuck in your head for days!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  3. All Music Guide
    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.
    Read full review
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