Gods And Monsters
by I Am Kloot
  • Record Label: Echo
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Drowned In Sound
    60
    'Gods And Monsters' isn't a bad album, merely average which is a real shame.
  2. Mojo
    80
    Where Kloot's self-titled second had moments of glowing, maximalist production, here the sound is pared back. [May 2005, p.106]
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  3. Q Magazine
    40
    While the bulk of Johnny Bramwell's songwriting attempts to match the gothic fairground swirl of their new sound, the best tracks... remain the most straightforward and acoustic. [May 2005, p.112]
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  5. The Guardian
    70
    Admirers will likely crown Gods and Monsters the band's best yet, while the lilting chorus of the single, Over My Shoulder, might make even the unititiated cock an ear.
  6. Uncut
    60
    A charming composite of Damon Gough's homespun insight and Edith Piaf's anguish. [May 2005, p.106]
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  7. PopMatters
    60
    Bramwell strings together fine, grabbing lyrics, but he's become too enamored of his literary bent, trying to pack together poetic devices that head off to nowhere.
  8. Pitchfork
    60
    After two albums of post-Britpop mediocrity, Manchester trio I Am Kloot kick things up a notch (or think they do), and suffer from bipolarity and an ambition that outstrips their ability.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    This time, [Bramwell] transcends that reference [to Robyn Hitchcock], with angular arrangements and a darkly romantic wit that's all his own. [26 Aug 2005, p.61]
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  10. Spin
    83
    Eventually it hits you just how godlike catchy these banalities are. [Aug 2005, p.103]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    70
    Though on the whole, Gods And Monsters is a lesser record than I Am Kloot, what it lacks in great songs, it gains in stylistic advancement.
  12. Alternative Press
    80
    Thinking-person's Britpop. [Oct 2005, p.166]
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  13. Neumu.net
    70
    No BIG message here; I Am Kloot simply made a good, heartfelt rock record and, without sounding like they had to try too hard, pulled it off.
  14. Paste Magazine
    60
    This diverse album's eerie ambience and astute songwriting more than compensate for its periodic uneventfulness. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.145]
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  15. Magnet
    40
    Consider this follow-up one step back. [#69, p.98]
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  16. Dot Music
    80
    It’s all rather marvellous.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. martynp
    May 15, 2006
    10
    marvellous
  2. matta
    Jan 19, 2006
    8
    This album is criminally underrated. I really don't get all of the 40 scores from so many reviewers. This album is catchy and poppy but This album is criminally underrated. I really don't get all of the 40 scores from so many reviewers. This album is catchy and poppy but at the same time manages to be very clever and even complex at times. It's not one of the very best albums of 2005, but it's still one of the top 50.… Full Review »
  3. BenJ
    Jun 1, 2005
    5
    Whilst this has very good production, song-for-song it doesn't match their earlier albums, and many songs lack strong melodies and John Whilst this has very good production, song-for-song it doesn't match their earlier albums, and many songs lack strong melodies and John Bramwell's usually more literate lyrics. Quite disappointing overall.… Full Review »
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