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Fasciinatiion
by
Fasciinatiion Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The first album released on their new label Blank.wav was written and produced by the band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. No Ripcord
    80
    All told, The Faint, once again, have written a succesful album.
  2. Village Voice
    70
    Mostly the fascination here is with sounds-not-songs, which is fine for the year Portishead came back, as long as the Faint have enough dial tones and farts swiped from Thom Yorke's basement tapes to deck out Fink's traditionally one-note delivery when attention wanders.
  3. Spin
    70
    The latest from these Nebraska dance rockers doesn't instantly charm like the '80s flashbacks found on 2001's breakthrough, "Danse Macabre." But its fixation on the present pays off with repeated plays as clashing guitar and keyboard hooks hammer home the Faint's central theme--the chaos of a world in conflict.
  4. Mojo
    60
    Though still in thrall to the synthetic '80s new wave ttemplate as perfected by Devo, Fasciination is nevertheless the sound of a band who've finally found the space to nail their own sound. [Nov 2008, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Urb
    60
    Having waited four years for this new record, Faint fans anticipating a return to the throbbing mechanical heart of darkwave and disco will not be disappointed.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    On Fasciinatiion the band’s essence remains the same and their latest offering maintains the band’s spirit of whimsy, but there is a more serious tone all around.
  7. Under The Radar
    30
    For much of Fasciination, it’s the music that keeps the record afloat, because, even at his very best, singer Tim Fink doesn’t have much to say. [Summer 2008]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Seth
    Aug 6, 2008
    10
    If those reviewers hadn't been looking for a clear cut repeat of an older Faint album they might have seen how complex and beautiful If those reviewers hadn't been looking for a clear cut repeat of an older Faint album they might have seen how complex and beautiful this one is.… Expand
  2. JohnB.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    Very entertaining and danceable... Definitely a great album worth buying.
  4. Michelle
    Mar 18, 2009
    10
    How could anyone not give THE FAINT a 10!?!? no matter what music they make its a perfect TEN! Seriously anything less would be lie. How could anyone not give THE FAINT a 10!?!? no matter what music they make its a perfect TEN! Seriously anything less would be lie. Listening to the album and seeing them live you would understand.… Expand
  5. LanceK
    Sep 20, 2008
    9
    As a long time fan of the Faint, this is actually a brilliant album from a band that was on the verge of being forgotten. See them live, buy As a long time fan of the Faint, this is actually a brilliant album from a band that was on the verge of being forgotten. See them live, buy their record, support this band. I don't understand how people can criticize Fink for writing about "the future" and "software paranoia". When Radiohead does it, with even less direction or context, everyone raves.… Expand
  6. Dan
    Aug 26, 2008
    8
    There are a few songs where the lyrics/singing aren't quite up to par, but this is still a great album. Maybe not as good as "Danse There are a few songs where the lyrics/singing aren't quite up to par, but this is still a great album. Maybe not as good as "Danse Macabre" or "Wet From Birth", but really close. A few tracks really stand out - like "Machine In The Ghost", which is one of their best.… Expand
  7. DoughB.
    Aug 7, 2008
    8
    Sure its not their best album, but after a few listens all the electronic blurbs'll get stuck in your head.
  8. dreeves
    Nov 12, 2008
    4
    Lots of hat, not so very much cattle. Behind the synths and the radiohead trappings, there's just not that much musicality or conceptual Lots of hat, not so very much cattle. Behind the synths and the radiohead trappings, there's just not that much musicality or conceptual interest.… Expand