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Fire Like This - Blood Red Shoes
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    What is different, however, is the focus the band have found. In the past, there's been an unfortunate tendency to take songs a chorus too far, but that doesn't appear to be an issue any more.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    Mar 3, 2011
    80
    Blood Red Shoes still rocks out on most tracks, all riled up and restless, keeping the rhythms chunky and choppy on standouts like the defiantly-played and shouted "Light It Up," the revved-up guitar and drums of "Don't Ask," and the guitar jags and slamming drums on "Keeping It Close."
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Overall the album is a reassertion that when it comes to hard-pumping guitar'n'drums duos it's unjust that Steve and Laura-Mary are billed below the likes of The Kills on the big festival bill Sellotaped to God's fridge.
  4. Clash Music
    80
    Taught and lean, bold and mean, Blood Red Shoes are fighting fit and Fire Like This might just be their knock-out punch.
  5. BBC Music
    80
    This is a raw, unfussy rock record that forsakes gloss or studio tricks for instinct and urgency.
  6. Uncut
    80
    The seariung guitars, walloping drums and emphatic double-tracked vocals have determined power and character. [Mar 2010, p.81]
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  7. Pitchfork
    Dec 14, 2010
    74
    In its best moments, Fire Like This strikes a balance between heartfelt and heavy. Blood Red Shoes may be squat-hall sized, but they are arena-equipped.
  8. Rock Sound
    70
    Starting off pleasant but eventually becoming a regular stereo occupier, the grungier second half of this release is the better half.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 11, 2011
    40
    Blood Red Shoes sound at their best when they manage to reign in their musical touch points and put them to work in their service.
  10. Q Magazine
    40
    Songs such as "Don't Ask" strike, but with nothing to sweeten the blow. The sound of baby going out with the bath water, in short. [Apr 2010, p.109]
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  11. musicOMH.com
    40
    It would be easy to look at the words and assume that this was a band on the brink of a split, were it not for the fact that their first album featured a very similar outlook and identikit themes. Essentially, it is hard to see where the band might go from here.
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JohnH
    8
    Not a massive departure from their first album but just sounds better in every way. It's never going to be groundbreaking but it's a supremely listenable and enjoyable 37-odd minutes. The closer 'Colours Fade' is one of my favourite tracks from 2010 so far.… Full Review »
  2. ramona
    7
    There's definitely an improve in this second album: Laura-Mary's guitar sounds more clear and neat and Steven keeps on beating that drums hard enough to transmit all his anger. The songs, in my opinion are more aggressive, but still they will be in your mind all day long.… Full Review »
  3. BrunoK
    9
    Great album froma great band. "Fire Like This" is a consistent and mature record with great melodies.
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