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Heartland
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Heartland Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 47 Ratings

  • Summary: Due to trademark reasons, Canadian singer-songwriter Owen Pallett retired the Final Fantasy band name and returned to his own name for his latest release.

Top Track

Lewis Takes Off His Shirt
As soon as I got on the horse, I forgot about the math. Forgot about the odds against an adolescent standing up to all of Owen's wrath. The heat of... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Some tracks on Heartland are like listening to hundreds of violins at once, with all the dynamic subtlety that description doesn’t entail. But when the album works, it’s majestic and impossibly rich.
  2. Pitchfork
    86
    There are a lot of things about Heartland that feel like Pallett is presenting himself more and more fully as an artist; the scope of breadth and mood of it are all grander, more assured, making ever more of a case that the guy shouldn't be viewed as a side note (string arranger for the Arcade Fire, the Pet Shop Boys) or a minor interest.
  3. Lost At Sea
    83
    Nothing is hodgepodge about Heartland, and rather than an outlet for the former Final Fantasy's many cool ideas, Owen Pallett presents one outstanding, unified one: all of him at once.
  4. PopMatters
    80
    Heartland has a fine polish that feels as expansive as it is ornate.
  5. musicOMH.com
    80
    Heartland is nothing new and in no way groundbreaking. But no-one else combines such intricate classical styling and technology to such pop-savvy effect.
  6. Clash Music
    70
    Starting with offbeat rhythms and minor key vocals the album is not as accessible as "Has A Good Home" and less adventurous than "He Poos Clouds"--yet there’s something that draws you into Heartland.
  7. Mojo
    40
    The whole sprawl of tooting loops, sawing violins and Pallett's unlovely operatic warbling feels gruelling and indigestible - prog stodge in a dashing post millennial disguise. [Feb 2010, p. 93]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. TimB.
    Jan 13, 2010
    10
    An album that is immediately rewarding, what with Pallet's luminous and painstaking orchestrations, but also one that merits repeated An album that is immediately rewarding, what with Pallet's luminous and painstaking orchestrations, but also one that merits repeated listenings to dig into the crazy world that he's created. It contains some of the most beautiful, angry, and joyous music created in his solo career.… Expand
  2. vicyamusicgreat
    May 30, 2014
    10
    Heartland is a brilliant and beautiful testament to one man's agreement to contend with the forces of music in his life and make them work forHeartland is a brilliant and beautiful testament to one man's agreement to contend with the forces of music in his life and make them work for him. Though it may take some getting used to, the first 6 songs are beautifully crafted and lyric-ed odes to a fantasy world of Owen's own creative making, while from song 7, Lewis Takes Off His Shirt, to the end of the album, we have a stunningly moving and locomotive song cycle that takes listeners on one of the most amazing journeys, hearkening back to the days of the Beatles and early Stevie Wonder!!… Expand
  4. UnclePants
    Jan 14, 2010
    10
    Fantastic. Pallett's best work yet. Expect this to be on every best of list in 12 months.
  5. EricN.
    Jan 19, 2010
    10
    Amazing stuff. 'He Poos Clouds' was darned good, but this is in a whole other stratosphere.
  6. LeahT.
    Jan 20, 2010
    10
    Beautiful orchestration and well-crafted songs. Definitely refreshing and unique.
  7. LukeW.
    Jan 19, 2010
    9
    The disney-esque melodies combined with the electronic sounds remind me a bit of st. Vincent's work, but this particular album feels The disney-esque melodies combined with the electronic sounds remind me a bit of st. Vincent's work, but this particular album feels much more "classical" with the ever-present violin. interesting that with all the instruments floating around, somehow the music remains sparse throughout.… Expand
  8. ClifC.
    Jan 14, 2010
    9
    This album totally surprised me by its greatness. I didn't know Owen Pallett at all, but I can already say that this is a MUST HAVE This album totally surprised me by its greatness. I didn't know Owen Pallett at all, but I can already say that this is a MUST HAVE album, and an artist to follow closely!… Collapse

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