Gangs - And So I Watch You from Afar
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

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. 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.
  2. All Music Guide
    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.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 15, 2012
    40
    Considering that most songs poke past five minutes, they're oddly unmemorable, featuring hooks with infinitesimal life spans, as well as guitars and electronics that all shoulder one another for room with too much hyperactivity to crunch into one song.
  4. 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. 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.
  6. Kerrang!
    Jun 24, 2011
    60
    While this is as trying and testing as it is unique, it's certainly not without its charms. [4 Jun 2011, p.51]
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  7. 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.
  8. Q Magazine
    Jun 21, 2011
    60
    Monstrously heavy, full of tense, nervous energy. [July 2011, p. 120]
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  9. Rock Sound
    May 16, 2011
    90
    The self-imposed time restraints have merely served to sharpen the quartet's focus in quite glorious fashion.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. raelt
    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 prejudices of any kind and enjoy: brilliant!… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    7
    A great live band, not sure how well their music transfers across to record. There isn't a single lyric on either this or their self-titled first record and sometimes this makes the tracks a little repetitive. Most songs are 5 minutes plus of dense guitar **** and while enjoyable, it's not something I personally would listen to very frequently. 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 but I think their records would benefit hugely from some vocals/lyrics.… Full Review »
  3. qotsa328
    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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