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Finisterre - Saint Etienne
User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10

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  1. stephens
    Feb 8, 2003
    9
    After the sublime taste of Good Humor (1998), I think many Etienne fans found it hard to fathom Sound of Water (2000). Perhaps we weren't listening. Reminiscent of the Tiger Bay sound, Finisterre is a more accessible musical trip. Completely derivative, absolutely original, rigorously intellectual and effortlessly poppy. Just your average Etienne album really. If Sound of Water left doubts, this one reconfirms Etienne as one of the best bands of the past decade. Perhaps they remain underrated because of their deceptive obsession with the surface of pop iconography, or the apparent superficiality of Sarah Cracknell's photogenic looks. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. AndyS
    Jan 8, 2003
    9
    Pulsating beats in Action, melancholic tunes in Language Lab, romantic lush vocals in Stop and Think it Over, groovy beats and swirling tunes in Shower Scene....it can't get any better than this. Saint Etienne have outdone themselves this time. Great album. My favs are Shower Scene and New Thing. Get this, Finisterre is here to stay!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. dylane
    Apr 1, 2003
    10
    pure perfect pop.can't wait for the film
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. DanT
    Jan 7, 2004
    9
    Though I can't say I appreciate all their songs, the up tempo jams have been installed in my mix sessions to add much needed class and flavor for the ignorant masses that "dance" in my face.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. SirSpiteFull
    Nov 2, 2002
    3
    So dull even its creators have likely forgotten about it already. This is the kind of faux-cosmopolitan sonic wallpaper bands like Atari Teenage Riot were designed to destroy. Burn it down, and leave no one alive!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. CraigC.
    Oct 23, 2002
    8
    great st. etienne record. they're getting back to their dance roots, but with a bit of sophistication. it gets better after the first listen. this band deserves attention, but all we get are the lame american top 40 hack jobs.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. robert
    Dec 4, 2003
    9
    their best since "so tough". the title track has to be one of their best ever.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. CoryM
    Nov 6, 2002
    9
    An instant classic.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. benf
    Dec 12, 2002
    8
    Great. "Amatuer" has a urgent heart racing, european feel that could feature in a car chase scene from the latest James Bond film. The transition from electronic to ballad to groove is a little unsettling at first though. Overall as good as anything else St. Etienne have done.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    Finisterre distills their Mellotrons, strummed guitars and electronic beats to a fine essence. [Oct 2002, p.114]
  2. Mojo
    70
    Cracknell's straight '60s pop ballads sit oddly, but a clubbable Shower Scene and well-electroclash Amateur and New Thing suggest more than a fiar outlook for the weathering well threesome. [Oct 2002, p.110]
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    A gem for the highly sensitive. [17 Oct 2002, p.72]
See all critic reviews »