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Hometowns - The Rural Alberta Advantage
Hometowns Image
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Orginally self-released in early 2008, Saddle Creek re-releases the debut full-length album for the Canadian indie rock band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Taking Mangum's recorded-on-cardboard lo-fi folk epics as their ground zero, TRAA turn in the best alt.debut of the year.
  2. Lost At Sea
    85
    Hometowns has an earthly fragility, folksy without being folky. Score another one for Canada.
  3. Under The Radar
    60
    Hometowns deftly hurls the civic pride of Sufjan Stevens and the unshorn shuffle of Deer Tick like a bale of alfalfa into a farm-bound pickup. The trio ultimately lacks the breadth or lyrical thrust of the premier artists on their R.I.Y.L list. [Summer 2009, p.82]
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See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Mark
    10
    This thing is great. The drummer is amazing, the songwriting is solid and the album is cohesive. What more can you ask for?
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. db0928
    10
    Easily the best album of 2008/2009 (depends on which release you consider to be "official"; regardless, it would win either year). There is not one weak track on an album filled with passionate, driving tunes about nostalgia, youth, lost relationships and lost homes. The drumwork on display is among the finest I've heard in a long time, and the Nils Edenloff's Mangum-esque vocals only serve to hammer home the pain, joy, heartbreak, and memory that is so pervasive throughout this album. In short, this is THE definitive summer album of the past few years, possibly the best summer album since Wilco's Summerteeth. Do your self a favor and pick up this under-appreciated gem. (Standout tracks: "Rush Apart", "The Deathbridge in Lethbridge", "Don't Haunt this Place", "Frank AB", "Four Night Rider", "Edmonton", "In the Summertime")… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. ZacharyMatson
    10
    Never have I heard an album that grew on me as quickly as Hometowns. The RAA is easily one of my favorite musical groups and that is very much because of this album. The album starts off with a mellow, extraordinary track and from there takes you on a ride of fun and excellent indie rock.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 10 User Reviews

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