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. Spin
    83
    On these subtly lovelorn songs, his voice quavers with a grounded, lived-in authority. [Feb 2005, p.92]
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    ‘Emoh’ is revealing at all times, but utterly dignified throughout, and it’s a wonderful solo record.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Emoh is one of the first surprisingly great albums of 2005.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    It's a mature, accomplished statement for one of indie rock's most reliably miserable men.
  6. Uncut
    80
    He delivers 14 sweetly sombre neo-folk tunes that reveal just how subtly pervasive the man's influence really is. [Mar 2005, p.108]
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  7. Pitchfork
    79
    While this new batch of songs is pleasant and often charming, they're not as memorable or passionate as Barlow's best.
  8. Lost At Sea
    75
    14 songs focused intently on melody and chord progressions, not licks or repetitive riffs or tricky drumbeats.
  9. Rolling Stone
    70
    Emoh is full of quiet lyricism and Nick Drake beauty.
  10. Junkmedia
    70
    The album has a sonic cohesiveness that makes for a consistently pleasant listening experience.
  11. Paste Magazine
    70
    Barlow fails to write an indie rock standard, something he usually manages once per album, but EMOH still exceeds expectations.
  12. Neumu.net
    70
    As far as songs go, Barlow hasn't been this good in years.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Where once lo-fi underachievement stifled Barlow's outsider pop genius, 'Emoh' abandons dictaphones to the dustbin and sees Lou documenting his wonderful, incisively literate pop songs with something resembling sheen. [5 Feb 2005, p.51]
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  14. Splendid
    70
    EMOH is a bit rambling, and could stand to lose a song or two so as to not detract from the its power, but considering Barlow's sometimes egregious prolificacy, these 14 songs are about as polished as he gets.
  15. ShakingThrough.net
    68
    But while it's appealing to hear Barlow sound so contented as he approaches middle age, Emoh can't help but lack in the emotional immediacy so typical of Barlow's earlier, non-eponymous work.

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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