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Exploding Head Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

  • Summary: The second album for the Brooklyn rock band is its first on Mute Records.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Alternative Press
    90
    When the dark, somber and damn loud refrains of 'Ego Death' kick in, it sounds like these guys could completely take over indie rock. [Nov 2009, p.106]
  2. A Place To Bury Strangers have managed to strike a perfect balance between noise and tune, and as a result created one of 2009's most ingenious records.
  3. 84
    Exploding Head is another raucous ode to My Bloody Valentine meets The Jesus and Mary Chain shoegaze. But that’s what’s indicative about this band--although its references are often cited; Exploding Head has that passion needed in reinvigorating a sub-genre.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    It's wall-of-noise stuff, but consistently they manage to either build a decent tune into the squall or else engage the listener through exhilarating power alone. [Nov. 2009, p.101]
  5. This is A Place to Bury Strangers at their loudest, most relentlessly methodical, and, surprisingly, funniest.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    More attention was paid to mixing, but the sounds captured are as deliciously brash as they were on the debut. [Fall 2009, p.56]
  7. While A Place To Bury Strangers are obviously still in awe of the original shoegaze crowd, Exploding Head is a step towards sounding unique.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Nov 17, 2019
    9
    A fine loud mix of dark fuzzy noise, shoegaze, and a hint of post-punk. This is A Place to Bury Strangers at its finest.
  2. Mar 31, 2012
    9
    Exploding Head, in my opinion, is better than their self-titled debut. It's dark industrial sounding noise rock at it's best. It sorta has aExploding Head, in my opinion, is better than their self-titled debut. It's dark industrial sounding noise rock at it's best. It sorta has a new wave feel to it throughout the whole album. All In All, A Place To Bury Strangers has crafted a pretty strange, psychedelic mix of noise in Exploding Head. Collapse