Given to the Wild
by The Maccabees
  • Record Label: Fiction
  • Release Date: Jan 9, 2012
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jan 13, 2012
    95
    The Maccabees have returned as a highly evolved beast more than ready to be released into the wild world.
  2. The Fly (UK)
    Feb 10, 2012
    90
    Impressively diverse but united by a strain of quintessentially Maccabeean hopeless hopefulness, it's an outpouring of both technical brilliance and affective emotion that thrives in its sheer humanity.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 10, 2012
    90
    The album is beautifully structured, leading from spare and shimmery beginnings into harder, weirder and more varied territories, all those snippets and elements and personalities crafted into a shifting, subtle whole that quietly captures your attention from start to end.
  5. Clash Music
    Jan 5, 2012
    90
    I have seen the future of dreamy pop, and its name is The Maccabees.
  6. DIY Magazine
    Feb 10, 2012
    80
    Not the finished article, but as close as the (still) youthful band are likely to come at this stage.
  7. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jan 17, 2012
    80
    If progress is their aim, then this is fine proof of how a softly-softly approach is often best.
  8. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jan 9, 2012
    80
    There are no standout songs but that's kind of the point: GTTW washes over you like a cooling stream on a hot day.
  9. Q Magazine
    Jan 5, 2012
    80
    The songs are so delicately crafted that it never feels predictable. [Feb 2012, p.103]
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  10. BBC Music
    Jan 5, 2012
    80
    If only all bands had the guts and honesty of The Maccabees, maybe they'd get round to making third records as good as this.
  11. The Guardian
    Jan 5, 2012
    80
    It's an album that bucks a trend rather than starts one: an elegant and unexpected leave-taking from the indie landfill.
  12. Beats Per Minute
    Jan 19, 2012
    78
    It's their breakthrough album and shows that with focus and confidence, the future could be pretty exciting for The Maccabees.
  13. PopMatters
    Feb 27, 2012
    70
    Given to the Wild is an accomplished, filler-free record that presents a band at peak condition, handily exceeding the marginal example set by similar-sounding acts.
  14. The Quietus
    Jan 17, 2012
    70
    Given to the Wild is resolutely The Maccabees best.
  15. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 5, 2012
    70
    Somewhat uneasy listening in places, yet sublime in others, Given To The Wild should rid The Maccabees of those 'landfill' jibes once and for all.
  16. Mojo
    Jan 31, 2012
    60
    It's hard not to wish for more. Or maybe less. [Feb 2012, p.95]
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  17. musicOMH.com
    Jan 13, 2012
    50
    The heart-thumping energy of their first records is not in evidence, and Given To The Wild feels like a wasted opportunity.
  18. Pitchfork
    Feb 13, 2012
    40
    The personalities on this album are so blank the songs may as well be performed by apps, and sung by Siri.
  19. Uncut
    Jan 9, 2012
    40
    Even at its best, Given To The Wild sounds like British Sea power without the esoteric charm, which is hardly the heartiest of recommendations. [Feb 2012, p.91]
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  20. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 9, 2012
    40
    Can only be described as… the sound of Coldplay.
  21. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 6, 2012
    40
    The unambitious nature of Given to the Wild is all the more disappointing for the intriguing glimmers of inspiration furnished by their collaboration with Roots Manuva.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. vermas
    Jan 9, 2012
    10
    Amazing album that can be described with progress, maturity and beauty. All the tracks are great, all the band members are firing on allAmazing album that can be described with progress, maturity and beauty. All the tracks are great, all the band members are firing on all cylinders especially Weeks whose voice is incredibly versatile for example on Unknow in which he does a high falsetto that surprises listeners. Overall 9/10… Full Review »
  2. carlos86archer
    Apr 5, 2012
    9
    Perfect from start to finish. Its dreamy, bold and belongs in every indie fans collection! Glimmer and Pelican stand out tracks for me. TheyPerfect from start to finish. Its dreamy, bold and belongs in every indie fans collection! Glimmer and Pelican stand out tracks for me. They are truly amazing and i would liken this album to the Foals. Enjoy x… Full Review »
  3. mohamedwalid
    Mar 11, 2022
    10
    never in my life have I felt as a good of a vibe as this album, I am so glad I searched for this album just bc unknown was my favorite song innever in my life have I felt as a good of a vibe as this album, I am so glad I searched for this album just bc unknown was my favorite song in need for speed most wanted 2012, I am not a music critic, but trust me when I say this is top teir music at worst.… Full Review »
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