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Fantasy Black Channel
by
Fantasy Black Channel Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 41 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut album for the British quartet was produced by Erol Alkan.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Guardian
    100
    Fantasy Black Channel is the most thrilling British debut of the year for its spirit of invention, its surfeit of ideas and its ear for a good tune.
  2. Filter
    82
    Produced by Erol Alkan, the album's solid. And the band stands a good chance of riding out the vapid waves of its trendy contempories. [Holiday 2008, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    80
    They might wear their influences pretty much inked onto their sleeves, but Late of the Pier’s debut is as exciting as it is excitable.
  4. AllMusic
    80
    Truth be told, it's still a bit of a mess, but it's a glorious and galvanizing one: a convoluted construction crammed with so many immediately gratifying moments that it takes multiple listens to extricate them all--in other words, enough instant pleasures to easily outweigh its occasional grating, overreaching, and faltering.
  5. musicOMH.com
    80
    This is a band that don't sound like anything else around at the moment, who aren't afraid to experiment with hip-busting funk, rock and power pop all jumping into bed together.
  6. Billboard
    70
    When these guys avoid the occasional regrettable extended downshift in tempo, the angular yet danceable set combines a mixture of menace and fun volatile enough to hint that their live shows must be irresistible.
  7. Under The Radar
    60
    At their best, Late of the Pier is like some video-game-raised second coming of Roxy Music, all hooks, humor, attitude, and experimentation. But when they falter, it’s clear--they tag one too many parts into a song, never quite sure the painting’s done; or spit out throwaway dancepunk. [Year End 2008]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. isaac
    Jan 15, 2009
    10
    An absolutely refreshing, frenetic, peerless debut, well worth the hype.
  2. JoeK.
    Jan 13, 2009
    10
    Sick Album, love it.
  4. Delve88
    Oct 18, 2019
    10
    best album ever............................................................................................................................
  5. K.S.
    Jan 18, 2009
    10
    Great album - one of the best in the past year or so. My thing is this - it came out well into last year.....why is it a new release in 2009?
  6. ghostlight2
    May 24, 2013
    10
    One of the most innovative and groundbreaking albums of the decade. Every song has a unique ambiance and sound, resulting in a diverse andOne of the most innovative and groundbreaking albums of the decade. Every song has a unique ambiance and sound, resulting in a diverse and overall incredible album.… Expand
  7. CommLeGlaz
    Mar 3, 2014
    10
    Best album of them, I could say one of the best in the British Scene, loved all the songs, all of them, and by the way, I think is a band whoBest album of them, I could say one of the best in the British Scene, loved all the songs, all of them, and by the way, I think is a band who needs to be more recognized.… Expand
  8. StephenC.
    Jan 16, 2009
    8
    Some say that the Klaxons are the front runners for this fututre electro/indie/disco/rock but Late of the Pier have created a more Some say that the Klaxons are the front runners for this fututre electro/indie/disco/rock but Late of the Pier have created a more invigorating sound.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best Album of 2009