Former Lives
by Benjamin Gibbard
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Oct 16, 2012
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Blurt Magazine
    Dec 17, 2012
    80
    For those who have been along for the ride since the beginning this anthology is like unlocking a shiny, new bonus track for each of Gibbard's efforts since Something About Airplanes.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Dec 7, 2012
    70
    In terms of overall quality though, it has to be said that things noticeably pick up in the album's second half, as any traditional indie rock sensibilities that Gibbard may have initially had start to recede and are replaced by a grittier, slightly more abstract edge.
  3. Q Magazine
    Nov 21, 2012
    80
    The Death Cab For Cutie man turned his vision to a series of alternate realities. [Dec 2012, p.105]
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  5. Uncut
    Oct 26, 2012
    80
    His first solo outing has enabled Ben Gibbard to try on new stylistic contexts as if they were outfits. [Dec 2012, p.71]
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  6. Filter
    Oct 23, 2012
    66
    Gibbard has better demonstrated his strength as one of the best songwriters of the last decade in the past, but ardent fans will appreciate the effort here.
  7. Alternative Press
    Oct 19, 2012
    80
    Gibbard isn't reinventing himself with Former Lives, but after a decade and a half in the business, he proves he's still got a lot to say. [Nov 2012, p.88]
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  8. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Oct 18, 2012
    89
    Comprised of many songs he has tucked away for years, the album is everything one might expect from a Gibbard solo album: daring, delicate, verbose and indelible.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 16, 2012
    63
    Gibbard's songwriting holds up in the gently varied sonic settings here though nothing feels as immediate as his day job in Death Cab for Cutie.
  10. Paste Magazine
    Oct 16, 2012
    75
    Former Lives is a true solo album, with Gibbard showcasing a memorable and rewarding set of odds and ends from the last eight years of his songwriting career.
  11. Rolling Stone
    Oct 16, 2012
    70
    It's heartbreak made perfect, and there are loads of perverse pleasure in that.
  12. American Songwriter
    Oct 15, 2012
    70
    Former Lives rolls along with solidly steady results, but there aren't too many songs that stand out.
  13. Under The Radar
    Oct 12, 2012
    70
    It's simply a charming patchwork collection of songs from just shy of the last decade that never found a voice amongst the catalogue of Gibbard's other projects.
  14. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 12, 2012
    83
    His earnest songwriting still skews saccharine, but more often than not, Former Lives is lovely.
  15. The Boston Phoenix
    Oct 12, 2012
    75
    Gibbard's carving out new musical territory on Former Lives, while amplifying the broken heart of what makes his sound so wonderful.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Duke_Challenger
    Oct 18, 2012
    3
    Pretty much every single song is mediocre on this album. They just are copies of other Death Cab For Cutie songs. Though, "Duncan, WherePretty much every single song is mediocre on this album. They just are copies of other Death Cab For Cutie songs. Though, "Duncan, Where Have You Gone?" copies of John Lennon.

    Good tracks:

    4. Bigger Than Love *****/*****
    8. Oh Woe ***/*****
    9. A Hard One to Know ****/*****
    10. Lady Adelaide ***/*****    … Full Review »
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