Hate
by The Delgados
  • Record Label: Mantra
  • Release Date: Jan 21, 2003
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. PopMatters
    70
    The Great Eastern was successful because at its core, it never forgot to rock. On Hate, the Delgados seem to have forgotten that. At the same time, they've grown as songwriters and at times Hate is worthy of comparisons to the Beatles.
  2. Splendid
    100
    Every track on Hate surpasses the high standards set by its predecessor. Go buy it right now.
  3. Playlouder
    90
    'Hate' is gloomy without being self-indulgent, and grand without being pompous.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The dramatic, melancholy undercurrents of string-driven pop nuggets "The Drowning Years" and "Never Look at the Sun" showcase the Delgados as the smart, cutting-edge descendents of the Carpenters: everything Belle & Sebastian want to be, but are too damn precocious to pull off.
  6. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Loud, large and unrelenting, Hate is stunning, orchestral pop.
  7. The A.V. Club
    80
    It hearkens back to the glory days of rock as theater, when bands weren't afraid to reach, or squeeze.
  8. Neumu.net
    70
    Hate is a beautifully gilded record, thoroughly nice and thoroughly listenable, and a mark higher than a lot of pop music with lofty intentions, but it doesn't move you to extremes.
  9. AllMusic
    90
    Where The Great Eastern was a fairly gentle and tentative record in a lot of ways, this one is bigger and demands your attention. The good news is that it's one of those rare records that actually deserves all of the attention it demands.
  10. Spin
    80
    Rougher than Belle and Sebastian and lovelier than Mogwai, the Delgados craft orchestral maneuvers in the dark that leave bruises. [Feb 2003, p.98]
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  11. Mojo
    80
    Hate is a record of immense ambition and sophistication, a bold vision, a beautifully calibrated meditation on the messy business of life. [Nov 2002, p.98]
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  12. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Catchy tunes about the darkest of emotions. [14 Feb 2003, p.72]
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  13. E! Online
    100
    A soaring, orchestral pop masterpiece.
  14. Resonance
    90
    Playfully morbid and seriously perverse. [#36, p.49]
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  15. Pitchfork
    81
    Do some of the more standard-issue runs seem a bit labored? They do.... But the emotion buzzing out of these songs keeps a great number of them stunning, like indie-friendly versions of scores from period epics or superhero movies.
  16. Stylus Magazine
    88
    The record is very innocent on the surface, but it’s in the lyrics (again) of Alun Woodward and Emma Pollack that make it cold and dark, even though their vocals seem to make it all sound safe.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. emiliov
    Sep 3, 2004
    10
    uncut obviously couldn't be bothered to listen to this and Q are just idiots anyway...
  2. JohnB
    Jan 21, 2004
    10
    The delgados combine the most beautiful and sublime music with the darkest and most pessimistic lyrics to make an album full of great songs The delgados combine the most beautiful and sublime music with the darkest and most pessimistic lyrics to make an album full of great songs that will give you a hell of an emotional ride.… Full Review »
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