Give Up - The Postal Service
Give Up Image
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 124 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: One of the highlights of Dntel's 2001 debut album was "This Is the Dream of Evan & Chan," where Dntel electronica mastermind Jimmy Tamborello was joined by Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard on vocals. Satisfied by those results, the two continued to collaborate (by mail), eventually resulting in enough material for this full album that ventures more into synth-pop/new wave territory than their previous single.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Gibbard's delicate voice matches the subtle electro arrangements far more precisely than it does the folky guitars of his real group.
  2. Pitchfork
    80
    The core tension between Tamborello's complex, almost impossibly dense production and Gibbard's cutting voice makes Give Up a pretty damned strong record, and one with enough transcendent moments to forgive it its few substandard tracks and some ungodly lyrical blunders.
  3. Flak Magazine
    60
    A pleasurable but uneven set that makes for occasionally compelling, but not addictive, listening.
  4. Magnet
    30
    Give Up is a record that says, well, nothing. [#58, p.100]
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See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 79
  3. Negative: 2 out of 79
  1. star_gazing
    10
    For an album made almost a decade ago, this is still some of the most original material I have ever heard. The light and conscious lyricism, the various blips and bleeps make it so fun to listen to. Everything feels like it was put together one piece at a time, but of all the things that have been done like that, this feels RIGHT. The vocals are relaxing, perfect for any time of the day. This makes a definite top 5 for myself personally. Haven't listened to it? Go buy it and be a cool person.… Expand
  2. PeterK
    8
    A really good album that can easily become addictive. However some of the lyrics can be a real turnoff.. If it were not for the killer minimal electro beats and composition this album would not be worth an 8… Expand
  3. VladimirL.
    7
    Awesome music. Decent vocals. Horrendous lyrics. Annoying fans. The kind of album you never let anyone know you actually like.
  4. yikut
    1
    after dntel's 'life is full of possiblites' and 'evan & chan' i had such high hopes for this. it was such a disappointment. ive tried several times to listen to it but for me, it lacks any sort of strength or reason. i was expecting something with the emotional force of 'evan and chan' and a little more of dntel in there. i was also disappointed that the idm elements of dntel were all watered down. it was more figurine than dntel. im glad that so many people liked it and will maybe go back and find some dntel. for me, i just couldnt get into it.… Expand

See all 79 User Reviews

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