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Face The Truth
by
  • Record Label:
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Face The Truth Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

  • Summary: Malkmus' third post-Pavement recording is his most "solo" effort to date (not to mention his weirdest), with only some of the songs featuring the full complement of Jicks backing him up.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Lost At Sea
    95
    It’s weird, (but not annoyingly so), it’s catchy (but not annoyingly so), and it’s fresh (but not annoyingly so). Face the Truth is the work of a songwriter at his finest hour.
  2. No Ripcord
    90
    Face the Truth is probably the most eclectic of all Malkmus’s work. There are elements of every Pavement album in amongst the tracks, with familiar noodly guitar intros, shouty, jaunty refrains and languid deadpan-rap segments.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    It's weird, yes, but in a good way. [3 Jun 2005, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Playlouder
    80
    Malkmus seems to be firing on all cylinders for the first time as a solo artist.
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    74
    Face the Truth is paradoxically the most intriguing Malkmus album and the weakest of his post-Pavement career.
  6. Junkmedia
    70
    Is Malkmus treading water? Well, maybe. But despite the complaints of those fans who can’t let Pavement go, he’s still making valid, adventurous and - most of all - fun music.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    Does a new generation of music lovers really need a third solo album from [Malkmus] which includes songs that house guitar wig-outs and last up to eight minutes? Not really. [28 May 2005, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. AndrewE
    Jan 28, 2007
    10
    In a weird way, I like this more than slanted and enchanted. I can't go crazy critical right now, but, certainly, the critics are In a weird way, I like this more than slanted and enchanted. I can't go crazy critical right now, but, certainly, the critics are reaching too far. This is the best solo album for sure.… Collapse
  2. GergR
    Jun 8, 2005
    10
    All the rubbish I've read about this being a return to old form tends to miss the true mark of FTT's pedigree. SM the anti-star All the rubbish I've read about this being a return to old form tends to miss the true mark of FTT's pedigree. SM the anti-star speaks very for an American and who else can use the word elucidate twice on one album… Expand
  4. wopplettoowegweg
    Jun 26, 2005
    10
    criminally underrated
  5. V.Z.
    May 24, 2005
    9
    Malkmus has never been closer to Pavement in his solo career, and yet, it is still different from Pavement. He has definitely matured, the Malkmus has never been closer to Pavement in his solo career, and yet, it is still different from Pavement. He has definitely matured, the lyrics, while still weird, are deepe, honest, and perhaps for the first time, almost autobiographical. Musically we get a bit of Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee and Pig Lib, with some new styles mixed in. The opener "Pencil Rot" is something Malkmus has never done before, and the hand-made dance number "Kindling for the Master" is wonderfully retarded. Other highlights are the sincere sounding "Freeze the Saints", the innocent "Mama" and the closer "Malediction".… Expand
  6. JasonC
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    Loved the previous solo efforts. This one may be the best, but who cares if it is, it is just good music. SM brings it everytime. No clunkers.
  7. irkp
    Jun 8, 2005
    9
    john c, start hanging yourself then, because this is what SM does best. really a very dynamic record. keep it up steve!!
  8. thomasc
    Jul 29, 2005
    1
    actually worse than his last album!.....hasn't written a good song since his debut solo album (which was A++) and Terror Twilight which actually worse than his last album!.....hasn't written a good song since his debut solo album (which was A++) and Terror Twilight which had MANY......where is SS?… Expand

See all 30 User Reviews

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