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Hello Young Lovers
by
Hello Young Lovers Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: Brothers Ron and Russell Mael's first album in four years is their 20th LP overall.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Playlouder
    90
    Yes, it's a shamelessly arch and overarching achievement, and, make no mistake, some of you out there will hate this record and want to have at it with badly corroded screwdrivers.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    There's no possible way of having this much fun without getting the chorus of Handel's 'Messiah' drunk on peach schnapps. [4 Feb 2006, p.29]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    I wouldn't want to call it a "return to form" because Lil' Beethoven was actually pretty good, but it certainly perfects that album's aesthetic and infuses it with some of the giddy energy of the earlier Sparks stuff.
  4. Under The Radar
    80
    The numbers within Hello Young Lovers are rock operatic gems that subvert all notions of what a pop song should be. [#13, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The Guardian
    70
    Finds them as innovative as ever, mashing up opera, classical and electronics to sound quaint, futuristic, winningly dumb and hugely intelligent at the same time.
  6. Pitchfork
    69
    These songs run too long, even to the point of faking fade-outs and then bursting back for another coda.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    30
    It’s frustrating to hear them in this context – sounding jaded and uninspired, a slump they haven’t been in since the late ‘80s.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. cliveh
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    A breath of fresh air, original, witty and musically flawless. Amazing, be sure to check out Lil Beethoven as well.
  2. antony
    Mar 11, 2006
    10
    it's so ingenious, sui generis, pleasurable and glamatic impressive that it might get you weed out your whole discography.
  4. DarkoF
    Apr 21, 2006
    10
    Very Mindblowing album. Been on heavy rotation for a week- it really cooks. Up there in my top 50 all time greats.
  5. MonteM
    Mar 25, 2006
    10
    This album should win a grammy. There is absolutely nothing like it from beginning to end - an absolute triumph. 30 years and 20 albums This album should win a grammy. There is absolutely nothing like it from beginning to end - an absolute triumph. 30 years and 20 albums later, the Maels continue to challenge and take "pop" music in unchartered directions. There is nothing like Sparks, and there is nothing like the sonic assault that is this album. It rocks hard, but that only begins to tell the story.… Expand
  6. BillH
    Mar 29, 2006
    10
    On this, their 20th CD, Sparks continues its unblemished record of releasing an entire album entirely lacking in any hint of soulfullness. On this, their 20th CD, Sparks continues its unblemished record of releasing an entire album entirely lacking in any hint of soulfullness. But they also continue their perfect record of releasing CDs that are practically perfect within their strange but wonderful little universe. This is not their best CD, probably. Kimono My House may never be topped, but this CD is remarkable for the length of its songs, the staggering brilliance of Ron's arrangements and playing AND lyrics. I mean who else could rhyme the word "team" with "academe" or make a sarcastic reference to "Meryl Streep mimicry." The essence of Sparks remains pure unadulterated fun. From the silliness of the opening "Dick Around" to the magnificence of the neo-progressive rock closer "As I Sit Down To Play The Organ At The Notre Dame Cathedral" one just can't stop grinning and tapping one's feet. This is one of the great joyous pop records of all time. Kudos to the Maels. They are better than ever.… Expand
  7. sallyk
    Mar 31, 2006
    10
    awesome record. every other band out there should look at what they are doing!
  8. Louieo
    May 4, 2006
    9
    some of the most original work out there today! incredible arrangements and piss funny lyrics too

See all 8 User Reviews

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