Free To Stay
by Smoosh
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Jun 6, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10

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  1. EmmaC
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    Smoosh is AMAZING. There are no other words for it. No others.
  2. HayleyS
    Jul 9, 2006
    10
    Brilliant Songs. A wonderful second CD Release of Smoosh.
  3. ChadS
    Jul 8, 2006
    8
    Ben Lee's "Grandpaw Would" was a nice album, but none of the songs made me forget that he was all of fifteen. That is not the case here. The ages of these two girls become irrelevant before the first track is over. "I Would Go" and the title track ooze with charm; sweet, but innocuously so. There's wit, too, as much wit as a twelve-year-old girl, and then some. The album's Ben Lee's "Grandpaw Would" was a nice album, but none of the songs made me forget that he was all of fifteen. That is not the case here. The ages of these two girls become irrelevant before the first track is over. "I Would Go" and the title track ooze with charm; sweet, but innocuously so. There's wit, too, as much wit as a twelve-year-old girl, and then some. The album's only misstep, I think, is the guitar on "Waiting for Something". They have all the time in the world to expand their sound. I also like how they go Neal Sedaka on us, and offer an alternative version of "Gold". Smoosh is not a novelty act.… Collapse
  4. AdrianoC
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    Let me change the sentence from one of the critics above: this is what perfect pop is supposed to sound like. Uncompromised yet beautifully done, with some surprising melancholic moments. One of the best albums of 2006 so far.
  5. DanielS
    Jun 18, 2006
    10
    Perfection! As simple as that, really.
  6. JD
    Jun 15, 2006
    9
    They have some suprising hooks. I like this album more and more. I'm changing my vote from eight to nine.
  7. MattD.
    Jun 14, 2006
    5
    Actually, I'd give it a 5.5. Smoosh has talent, and they are heading in an interesting direction, but their youth and inexperience make only some songs enjoyable. I think critics giving it good reviews are influenced by the fact that Smoosh is indie.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Billboard
    70
    What helps Smoosh rise above novelty, however, is the quality of young Asya's songs.
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  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    An arresting collection... The only real criticism you can level at the sisters is that about halfway through the album, everything begins to sound the same.
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  3. AllMusic
    70
    It's their simplicity and lack of pretense that's so refreshing to hear and what makes Free to Stay so listenable.
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