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English Graffiti
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English Graffiti Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the British indie rock band was produced by David Fridmann and Cole MGN.
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Top Track

Handsome
Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god they're gonna eat me up for breakfast You think you look good in whatever they sugarcoat you... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. DIY Magazine
    May 26, 2015
    80
    The Vaccines still know how to write a direct hit--‘Handsome’, with it’s opening “oh God oh God oh God” panic attack, is still an indie-tastic thrash--but they’ve got other gears too.
  2. Mojo
    Jun 10, 2015
    80
    A forward-looking treat. [Jul 2015, p.87]
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  3. PopMatters
    Jun 24, 2015
    80
    Far more often, though, in spite of its breadth or maybe because of it, the album sounds like the Vaccines’ most natural yet. They just might be elder statesmen in the making.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    May 26, 2015
    70
    English Graffiti is a record full of ideas that has much to commend it, neither a triumphant or disastrous third album, just not a great one.
  5. The A.V. Club
    May 26, 2015
    67
    All this jumping around on English Graffiti doesn’t make it disjointed. Rather, it stops the album from becoming monotonous with a new, unexpected experience on each track.
  6. Pitchfork
    May 29, 2015
    63
    For the most part, it settles somewhere unusual, if not original.
  7. No Ripcord
    May 26, 2015
    50
    It’s not to say that English Graffiti is musically incompetent, though their impulse to borrow eighties nostalgia is more akin to that of perusing your relative’s baby boomer collection instead of following your cool uncle’s guidance.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. m_sawyer
    May 27, 2015
    10
    The Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when theyThe Vaccines return with a real coming of age album that shows their past, hints at the future, and sounds really good now. Even when they tone down a bit, they are sonically seductive. 'Minimal Affection' is one of the stand out tracks that just show how complete they have become, and the rest of the album (together with the 'Deluxe' version edits) reminds of 'AM' in terms of easy listening and sounding diverse, but complete. Here's hoping the boys will be with us for years & years to come, earning critical acclaim and stardom alike while growing musically.… Expand
  2. nirvanafreak
    Jun 3, 2015
    8
    I'd already heard some vaccines songs from their previous two albums but they never quite pulled me in like this album. This was a fun listenI'd already heard some vaccines songs from their previous two albums but they never quite pulled me in like this album. This was a fun listen although if I had to criticise one thing it would be the slightly slower songs as I didn't get the emotional effect that I assume was desired
    Fav track:Denial
    Least fav track:Give me a sign    … Expand
  4. ElroyRosenberg
    Jun 13, 2015
    8
    Another very good record from The Vaccines. Perhaps it's not the most consistent record, but when it hits, it hits hard. The instrumentals areAnother very good record from The Vaccines. Perhaps it's not the most consistent record, but when it hits, it hits hard. The instrumentals are much more refined on English Graffiti - where What Did You Expect...? had loud, distorted and pack-a-punch guitar riffs, English Graffiti finds a way to include more nuanced, subtle melodies amongst the lavish guitar production. Songs like "Want U So Bad" and "Dream Lover" are the reason why they one of my favourite upcoming acts - although not every track here is a hit, at worst every track has replay value, and the best of the best are arguably The Vaccines' most diverse and stunning songs.… Expand
  5. Ricko
    May 12, 2017
    8
    I liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection.I liked The Vaccines debut up to a point. It was catchy and had a few good singles but ultimately it didn't hold up well to close inspection. Album number 3, "English Graffiti" is a far more ambitious and confident record with a more expansive sound. They've still got their roots in Indie rock but it's as much psychedelic rock as indie rock with The Vaccines now resulting in a higher liklihood of the band enduring longevity than I would have thought possible after their debut.… Expand
  6. ottojan-dg
    Aug 4, 2015
    4
    A mixed bag that switches between semi exciting ("Handsome", "20/20", "Radio Bikiki") and awfully boring ("Minimal Affection", "Denial", "WantA mixed bag that switches between semi exciting ("Handsome", "20/20", "Radio Bikiki") and awfully boring ("Minimal Affection", "Denial", "Want you so bad", "Maybe I Could Hold You"...). Makes you want to give their previous records another spin, which is never a bad thing.… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

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