Golden Archipelago
by Shearwater
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2010
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Mojo
    60
    Don't expect a companion to the "Life On Earth" soundtrack though, even the ballads here are highly strung, some made otherworldly by drones, controlled feedback and mallet percussion, other stung by Meiburg's vocals, gear-shifted from choirboy puriety to anguish. [Mar 2010, p.98]
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  2. NOW Magazine
    60
    Luckily, they keep things relatively concise. If this album were any longer, it would be exhausting.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    The melodramatic clatter of Corridors and Meridian's airborne melodic spores mark then out as rare species, but their underlying pomposity remains an albatross around their necks. [Mar 2010, p.108]
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  5. Spin
    50
    With Jonathan Meiburg's luxuriant, lachrymose croon topping the slow-cresting violins of this tasteful rock ensemble, The Golden Archipelago will surely satisfy listeners in need of a melodramatic nap.
  6. Uncut
    60
    Some tracks sail a little too far into MOR but Meiburg takes care to balance these out with more robust moments. [Mar 2010, p.95]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. brave032
    Jan 22, 2016
    10
    This album is an absolute masterpiece and listening to it in its entirety (which I do almost every week) has become somewhat of a religiousThis album is an absolute masterpiece and listening to it in its entirety (which I do almost every week) has become somewhat of a religious experience for me. This is a flawless album, it aims high and hits its mark in every way. The sounds are diverse, the lyrics are full of both beautiful and ugly imagery of island life and man's destruction of nature. In addition to that, everything is intricately paced and every song feels like it is in the right place. While I prefer the vinyl edition of the album (with the songs "Silver Bodies" and "False Sentinel"), the regular version is extremely rewarding when listened to all the way through.

    Personal favorite tracks are Meridian, Landscape at Speed, Castaways, and False Sentinel    … Full Review »
  2. Raywater
    Jan 16, 2011
    10
    This album(and have no doubt it's an album on the grandest scale) hides so many surprises so many twists and turns that by the end of it's allThis album(and have no doubt it's an album on the grandest scale) hides so many surprises so many twists and turns that by the end of it's all too short running time you are left inspired, breathess and certain you've just made one of the great discoveries of your life. From the haunting opening Meridians to the scrape the sky Corridors you're flown head first toward the intens Missing Islands. A true classic has been delivered. A contender for album of the decade. High praise indeed. Believe.… Full Review »
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