User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Grand Archives Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The rock band formed by Band of Horses' Matt Brooke releases its debut album.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Grand Archives offers an impressively alternative take on American indie; blending a number of interesting influences to create a fresh and airy project.
  2. The insularity of "Cease to Begin" certainly has its merits, and it's pointless to argue about who comes out on top here, but the way Grand Archives come forth with arms outsretched results in a debut that likely exceeds most expectations.
  3. Singer Mat Brooke, formerly of Band of Horses and Carissa's Wierd, embraces the sunlight so rare to his home base of Seattle, leading his merry quintet on a journey to the happy place with a peaceful, warm, and affecting debut.
  4. But even with Brooke’s uncharacteristically romantic epiphanies, The Grand Archives still occasionally tends toward predictable sentimentality.
  5. Grand Archives ought to be more than a library of dusty riffs and Beach Boys records; Brooke's work succeeds where it adds fresh material to the shelves.
  6. Great in moments and undecided in others, The Grand Archives show hints of promise here, but don't really have enough to set them apart.
  7. They’ve got all the elements; they just need to find the right balance for them.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. [Anonymous]
    Aug 13, 2008
    10
    Amazing.
  2. ChristianP.
    Mar 25, 2008
    8
    A very solid debut. Full of whimsy and sunshine. Though there are a couple missteps, the album is full of great moments. Horns are used A very solid debut. Full of whimsy and sunshine. Though there are a couple missteps, the album is full of great moments. Horns are used tastefully, same with harmonies. Definitely worth a listen. Expand
  3. PedroD.
    Jul 24, 2008
    8
    A sort of natural influences from singer Mat Brooke,formerly of Band of Horses. But smart the way they work out with their cultural A sort of natural influences from singer Mat Brooke,formerly of Band of Horses. But smart the way they work out with their cultural "archives". Such a nice future they have!!! Mature, Happy and Peaceful. Expand
  4. DejanSt.
    Apr 8, 2008
    8
    An Amazing debut. Something between Teenage Fanclub and Wilco. A band with bright future.