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Engravings
by
Engravings Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the British electronic producer Matthew Barnes.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 4, 2013
    90
    It’s an enchanting odyssey that is steeped in the tantalizing mysticism of the unknown.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Aug 22, 2013
    90
    It’s an album that has facets from across the spectrum of experimental electronic music but, in the hands of the masterful sonic auteur Matthew Barnes, Forest Swords’ music sounds triumphantly singular. This is a very special album.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Aug 27, 2013
    90
    Engravings, his first full-length, evokes a grayness of place so completely that it is utter, that there is no there there because there is only there there.
  4. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 23, 2013
    80
    With references to house, dub, and instrumental rock all stitched together into a looping, building tapestry that manages to be both visually and emotionally evocative, this is certainly an album that will keep your interest long into the next fad.
  5. Dusted Magazine
    Aug 27, 2013
    80
    Engravings does find Barnes reaching new peaks, even if he’s not radically adding to his sound.
  6. Exclaim
    Aug 26, 2013
    80
    Engravings sees the artist employing fractured choral voices, militant drums, swirling guitars and the occasional harpsichord (notably on album standout "The Weight of Gold") to create a tapestry of sounds both experimental and organic.
  7. PopMatters
    Dec 4, 2013
    50
    While Forest Swords isn’t going to be an easy listen for the average music fan, those that are already predisposed to this type of material will probably get a lot out of it.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Bah
    Sep 26, 2013
    10
    This truly is an amazing electronic album; one that combines so many influences, Eastern and Western, past and present. Its sound and theThis truly is an amazing electronic album; one that combines so many influences, Eastern and Western, past and present. Its sound and the imagery it creates is beautiful, yet at the same time strangely haunting, sort of feels like part of something much greater. My definite favorite from the album would have to be "Friend, You Will Never Learn".… Expand
  2. indiegalaxy10
    Sep 17, 2013
    9
    This beautiful album is an mystical experience, an epic travel to oriental horizons, the sounds are the echoes of a dark landscape aThis beautiful album is an mystical experience, an epic travel to oriental horizons, the sounds are the echoes of a dark landscape a landscape that is rich and beautiful, it is one of the best of this great year!… Expand
  4. adhamhany
    Sep 18, 2013
    8
    One of the finest electronic albums to come out this year. It has a dark and mysterious vibe that i found to be fascinating. Just brilliant.One of the finest electronic albums to come out this year. It has a dark and mysterious vibe that i found to be fascinating. Just brilliant. My favorite tracks are: Ljoss, Gathering, The Plumes, and Friend, You Will Never Learn.… Collapse
  5. Duu
    May 20, 2014
    0
    This instrumental album is a ruse for people who cannot admit when they have been had. There is a very low level of creativity in this album,This instrumental album is a ruse for people who cannot admit when they have been had. There is a very low level of creativity in this album, and it is so bad that it fools some people into thinking it might be good and that they just don't want to be the one who did not "get" it. But I can assure you that there is not one good "beat on here". The only songs that could even be considered listenable by any stretch of the imagination are tracks 1,2, and 7. This album is not even worth a listen, yet it has better ratings that so many other superior albums by other artists. This album's rating proves that if you are an obscurity and weirdness is tantamount to "high quality/ability" to the users and reviewers online. The inability to distinguish between something that pushes sonic status quo and merely bad music is the hallmark of the online critic community and I think they need to stop being fools. I'm a fan of weird music. But being weird should not count in your favor as a band if the music is not skillful, inventive, clever, or sonically new. This album is weak, uninventive, repetitive, and just a disrespectful to all the musicians that eve lived and worked to make their music matter to humanity and to use their platform to be heard to actually say something musically.… Expand

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