Gangs
by And So I Watch You from Afar
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. AllMusic
    Jan 12, 2012
    70
    Unfortunately, by tailoring their sound to the stage, they sacrificed some of the beautiful flow and elegant dynamics that made their self-titled effort so effortlessly brilliant.
  2. PopMatters
    Jan 5, 2012
    70
    Though these guys may not have quite perfected their excellent formula just yet, Gangs is nevertheless a step in the right direction.
  3. BBC Music
    May 16, 2011
    80
    The jaunty melodies and jagged incisors savaging them into bite-size shapes remain engaging for the full 45 minutes, proving that the loud and voiceless do not have to sound ineloquent.
  5. Rock Sound
    May 16, 2011
    90
    The self-imposed time restraints have merely served to sharpen the quartet's focus in quite glorious fashion.
  6. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    May 16, 2011
    86
    They have taken what they knew they were at good first time round, shed some of the cliche post rock elements and pressed on in a direction which at this stage in their career was perhaps a safer bet as opposed to trying something completely new, but it was the right bet.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    May 16, 2011
    90
    This is the sound of a gang who've never been tighter, and a postcard of their journey that couldn't have captured them at a higher peak.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. raelt
    May 20, 2011
    10
    The best 44' of music in 2011 so far, huge guitar riffs and changes of pace. Forget about math or post rock, just listen to it w/o prejudicesThe best 44' of music in 2011 so far, huge guitar riffs and changes of pace. Forget about math or post rock, just listen to it w/o prejudices of any kind and enjoy: brilliant!… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Aug 22, 2019
    8
    An absolutely incredible live band and while some of the madness is lost in the transfer to record, they still pull it off once again on albumAn absolutely incredible live band and while some of the madness is lost in the transfer to record, they still pull it off once again on album number 2. There isn't a single lyric on either this or their self-titled first record and sometimes this makes the tracks hard to differentiate from one another. Most songs are 5 minutes plus of dense guitar and while this is enjoyable, you do have to be in a particular mood for it. It's not necessarily something I personally would listen to very frequently but when I do throw on "Gangs", I'm blown away every time. It's too heavy to be just enjoyed backround music like some instrumental bands. The band have never failed to impress me on a live stage and if you ever get the chance, make sure and check them out.… Full Review »
  3. qotsa328
    Jun 17, 2011
    10
    I didn't think they could make a better album than their first one... and then they did, wow. This album is beyond amazing. I love every single track.
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