• Record Label: Kompakt
  • Release Date: Apr 3, 2007
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 397 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 97 out of 397

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  1. Koko
    Jul 10, 2008
    5
    Very overestimated record. This is a very eclectic and sui generis LP and does not deserves such praise in my opinion. In a interview Wilner stated that 'From here we go sublime' was music to listen in 'minimal decorated spaces and living rooms'...but in my opinion its quite boring under any other circumstances I'm afraid.
  2. rhyminl.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Smokes.
  3. HeretoS.
    May 27, 2008
    10
    Instant classic, and one of very few albums I've started listening to that have hit so immediately. In all honesty, I know very little about deep/minimal techno, and even calling it deep/minimal techno would probably merit a flame, but this really has just hit in immediately. Personally, I'd say that If you can't get over the idea of it being repetitive, then it probably Instant classic, and one of very few albums I've started listening to that have hit so immediately. In all honesty, I know very little about deep/minimal techno, and even calling it deep/minimal techno would probably merit a flame, but this really has just hit in immediately. Personally, I'd say that If you can't get over the idea of it being repetitive, then it probably won't be much fun to listen to. Give it a chance, and the gradual shifts form some unlikely, eerie shapes. Best dance record I've heard in a long time. Expand
  4. wutherf
    May 2, 2007
    10
    to those who can't understand why this is so good - stick to verse chorus verse if you like, but this is a soundscape you can get lost in, where every listen reveals something new.
  5. Wolkjed
    Apr 26, 2007
    10
    Just mesmerizing!
  6. DennisP
    Jan 24, 2008
    4
    At first, I really thought there was something wrong with my computer (I ripped the cd onto the laptop). It didn't take long to realize that it was supposed to sound like that. Not sure if that's my thing. I want to listen more to give it a fair shake, but a few of the tones, repeated ad nauseam, seem to really upset my dogs.
  7. VD.
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    Haters "It
  8. PaulRooney
    Jan 7, 2008
    9
    I love this album. It reminds me, in no small way, of Royksopp although maybe a bit darker and trancier. I only picked up on it per chance by looking at the reviews on metacritic.com. I'm so glad I did.
  9. PeterB.
    Mar 11, 2008
    0
    Absolute rubbish. I bought this blindly from the reviews and it's god-awful. Maybe mildly decent if you're on E, but strictly on it's on the music is worthless.
  10. Hierophantus
    Apr 11, 2008
    7
    The hype gets in the way. If people could just listen to this album with no preconceptions--especially if they were prepared to just zone out with their headphones on--most would probably enjoy it just fine. However, even though I like it, I confess I still don't get why it's absolutely praised to the skies. It's good. It puts you in a fine mood and its subtlety has its The hype gets in the way. If people could just listen to this album with no preconceptions--especially if they were prepared to just zone out with their headphones on--most would probably enjoy it just fine. However, even though I like it, I confess I still don't get why it's absolutely praised to the skies. It's good. It puts you in a fine mood and its subtlety has its rewards. But #1? I feel like I still must be missing something that others get, but based on the reviews I don't know what that would be, since I see what they're talking about already. Expand
  11. KenC.
    May 17, 2008
    5
    I can't give this an album anything less than a 5 due to I'm not the hugest fan of this genre. The brilliance of this album must be real subtle because I got through 2 listens without being blown away by anything. I would not recommend for anyone that is not a hardcore fan of electronic. I'm a big fan of Burial's Untrue, but this one just does not do it for me.
  12. Joene
    Aug 11, 2008
    8
    I fully understand why some people don't like this album. However I'm a big electronic music fan and this album tickles all the richt places in my brain. It's all in the details with this one. The grainy textures, the brilliant use off effects, the minimal beats they all come together in a truly beautiful way. Just remember that beauty lies in the eyes (or in this case I fully understand why some people don't like this album. However I'm a big electronic music fan and this album tickles all the richt places in my brain. It's all in the details with this one. The grainy textures, the brilliant use off effects, the minimal beats they all come together in a truly beautiful way. Just remember that beauty lies in the eyes (or in this case ears) of the beholder. My favorite track must be 'everyday', pure bliss... Expand
  13. TimothyT.
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Simply amazing. A blissful masterpiece. This is one of the few pieces of music ever created that can truly put you in a new state of consciousness. Definitely not for everyone, but, for those brave enough to accept it, a simply amazing album.
  14. DJShrink
    Dec 29, 2007
    9
    This is the sound of infinity. Like the finest cooking: imple ingredients exquisitely assembled. For those of you not getting it, stop listening so hard: It is what it is. Great stuff. An instant classic.
  15. DanielS
    Oct 29, 2007
    10
    Wow, I can't believe this album is so polarizing. No doubt it wouldn't be getting near the flak if it wasn't #1 on metacritic, but it's good for The Field because a lot more people are listening to this than would have normally. I think the album is brilliant, and as it gets closer to the end of the year and the weather outside is getting colder, I only want to listen Wow, I can't believe this album is so polarizing. No doubt it wouldn't be getting near the flak if it wasn't #1 on metacritic, but it's good for The Field because a lot more people are listening to this than would have normally. I think the album is brilliant, and as it gets closer to the end of the year and the weather outside is getting colder, I only want to listen to it more. A great addition to what seems to be a benchmark year for Swedish music exports. Expand
  16. AlexM.
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    For me it became an instant classic at the first listening.
  17. SemolinaP.
    Oct 6, 2007
    2
    This is probably the most bland and tasteless example of musical drivel I have heard in a long, LONG time. Certainly, it takes advantage of some newer technology and style in the techno/electronic realm, but not without first lulling you into a hypnotic state of semi-unconsciousness. Based upon the glowing reviews of its supporters, it's only out of pity that I give it any points at This is probably the most bland and tasteless example of musical drivel I have heard in a long, LONG time. Certainly, it takes advantage of some newer technology and style in the techno/electronic realm, but not without first lulling you into a hypnotic state of semi-unconsciousness. Based upon the glowing reviews of its supporters, it's only out of pity that I give it any points at all... Otherwise it feels kind of like booing the competitors at the special olympics. Absolute trash, though. Seriously. Expand
  18. ElliottM
    Apr 13, 2007
    10
    Best electronic album of the year - BY A LANDSLIDE. It's probably the best electronic album of the past few years, actually.
  19. JohnM
    Apr 13, 2007
    10
    I can't explain why I like this so much, but it is totally blowing my mind right now.
  20. JustinC
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    This is really incredible stuff -- probably my favorite album of the year.
  21. ChuckM
    Apr 14, 2007
    9
    This works particularly well as a headphone album. It's not really something you'd play through your stereo or anything. That being said, this is one hell of a headphone album. Get it. Now.
  22. BjorkReznor
    Apr 15, 2007
    2
    This album is horrible, and the fact that it's #1 for 2007 is clearly nothing more than an embarrassing pitfall of Metacritic's aggregation system. With a larger sample size, the ratings would plummet.
  23. Alex
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    A beautiful record. This is definately one of the best this year.
  24. bryan
    Apr 16, 2007
    8
    Last half of the album most definitely stronger than the first...
  25. mon-peg
    Apr 18, 2007
    10
    there's something on this album, but i don't know what. this record (escpecially the second part) makes me feel strange as "october language' by belong makes.
  26. bra
    Apr 18, 2007
    9
    Those complaining are obviously getting themselves in too deep. The "95" you see as the metascore isn't a free pass for non-genre fans to get into this. The Field don't make traditional pop music, and you are wrong to assume that good music is going to be immediately accessible, especially if you aren't a fan of electronic. Fans of great IDM like Fennesz, Four Tet, and Those complaining are obviously getting themselves in too deep. The "95" you see as the metascore isn't a free pass for non-genre fans to get into this. The Field don't make traditional pop music, and you are wrong to assume that good music is going to be immediately accessible, especially if you aren't a fan of electronic. Fans of great IDM like Fennesz, Four Tet, and Boards of Canada must have this album. This is the best electronic album so far this year. Rating: 8.8/10.0 Expand
  27. Eric
    Apr 18, 2007
    2
    this record is such a ridiculous display of kompakts love affair with the sort of trendy minimal techno that online zines like to fawn over and over-praise. nearly 90 percent of the styles everyone seems to check are done a million times better then whats present on the cd. the field takes his inspirations (largely made up by blissfully moronic reviewers, whom in turn all steal from each this record is such a ridiculous display of kompakts love affair with the sort of trendy minimal techno that online zines like to fawn over and over-praise. nearly 90 percent of the styles everyone seems to check are done a million times better then whats present on the cd. the field takes his inspirations (largely made up by blissfully moronic reviewers, whom in turn all steal from each other), makes them worse, and packages it into a lightweight, utterly uninteresting techno cd. how people are not able to see right through this record is beyond me. i guess people just want something to love, something that makes them feel good. and you know what? so do i. Expand
  28. TheShallowCaller
    Apr 18, 2007
    5
    Decidedly average. What is the fuss all about. I agree the Eric M there's much better stuff out there. Domik Eulberg, Villalobos, Isolee, Mathew Jonson, ya know, interesting electronic dance oriented music DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
  29. colin
    Apr 18, 2007
    5
    there is nothing new or interesting about this album. completely unremarkable
  30. YepaJ
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    Not for beat geeks, nor for those easily scared at music not following conventional pop/rock song structure. For the rest of us, highly recommended.
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. If you like minimal electronic music at all, you must seek it out.
  2. This is one of those rare albums that makes you wonder how you ever got by without it.
  3. This is an album you could easily hate -- especially if you like things like change and development.