Emoh
by Lou Barlow
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Jan 25, 2005
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. The A.V. Club
    60
    This set of songs disappoints with its unwillingness to take real chances. Seemingly afraid to sound foolish, Barlow now sounds just okay.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    It lacks both the lurching DIY energy and emotional intimacy of his more rough and ready recordings.
  3. No Ripcord
    60
    Those in search of classic Barlow would do far better to dig out their battered old copies of Bakesale.
  5. Under The Radar
    50
    The lack of distinctive arrangements eventually diminishes the songs' individual merits. [#9]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PopMatters
    40
    Beyond its opening hat trick, Emoh dissolves into a retread of the same psychic wound, recycling the same themes with less inspired, more pedestrian results.
  7. Drawer B
    40
    Nowhere near as affecting as even latter day Sebadoh records like Harmacy, Emoh shows Barlow in a typically maudlin frame of mind, but the starkness of his voice is smoothed over with pointless overdubs
  8. Q Magazine
    40
    Lack[s] both the energy of Sebadoh and the quirkiness of his Folk Implosion project. [Mar 2005, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Barlow's precious melodies and don't-wake-the-baby vocals never reach fertile ground, making Emoh more Dashboard Confessional (or maybe Dadbored Confessional?) than anyone may be comfortable with.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. jasonc
    Apr 24, 2005
    9
    easy to dismiss at first listen i've grown to love this set of songs.
  2. [Anonymous]
    Mar 31, 2005
    7
    Lou's still a solid songwriter, though this is a bit too smooth and mellow for my tastes... I mean, my parents would probably enjoy Lou's still a solid songwriter, though this is a bit too smooth and mellow for my tastes... I mean, my parents would probably enjoy this. That said, it's consistent (if overlong) and easy on the ears; a nice little album.… Full Review »
  3. allenm
    Mar 24, 2005
    9
    Not as instant as some Folk Implosion stuff, but after a while it really grows. A couple of Lou's best songs on here, and his voice just Not as instant as some Folk Implosion stuff, but after a while it really grows. A couple of Lou's best songs on here, and his voice just gets better. Some of the songs are better live, but he has tried to add a bit of variation to the album, which will hopefully give it wider appeal. Keep Rockin' Lou. Now go buy it, before everyone jumps on the Dinosaur Jnr bandwagon.… Full Review »
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