Garden Ruin - Calexico
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Amazon.com
    90
    It's what Sigur Ros might sound like if they came from Arizona, and it's truly excellent.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    True, some distinctiveness has been lost along the way, but that is largely recompensed by the quality of such tracks as "Cruel," "All Systems Red," and the quite beautiful "Bisbee Blue." [26 May 2006, p.106]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    "Cruel" sounds like a mini-symphony, as do the fragile, faintly psychedelic "Panic Open String" and the post-Beatles singer-songwriter ballad "Lucky Dime."
  4. Pitchfork
    81
    I'd never wanted Calexico to change, but the new direction suits them well, proving that even in the face of radical metamorphosis, they remain as stunning and distinctive as ever.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. SotirisT
    8
    A very good album. Not what Calexico fans were expecting but this album marks the exploring of new music horizons by Calexico.
  2. Jon
    9
    It's the songs, people. Try to get "Yours and Mine" or "Bisbee Blue" out of your head. And the arrangements: less "cinematic," more economical...the horn section in "Cruel" lifts the sadness and tension of the song with a welcome kiss. Solid, solid stuff.… Full Review »
  3. adric
    5
    boring
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