How I Learned To Write Backwards
by The Aislers Set
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    Where the Aislers Set really create a distinction between themselves and their contemporaries is through the unpredictably imaginative arrangements, bolstered by Linton's truly enigmatic melodic sense.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    A significant departure from the band's previous works, marking a new approach to songwriting.
  3. Uncut
    80
    There's real poeticised emoting here. [May 2003, p.108]
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  5. Pitchfork
    79
    It's pure fun-- insanely, immediately likable, and ingenious in how much it achieves.
  6. Stylus Magazine
    77
    Another fine batch of eloquent, classic sounding pop songs, with a little bit of mustard added to it as well.
  7. Village Voice
    70
    It blows me away when someone can make nostalgia for the '60s or the '80s, or in this case both, sound relevant or recent or worth swooning over.
  8. Flak Magazine
    70
    How I Learned to Write Backwards isn't the kind of album that's going to turn up new rewards. Its marginal utility tops off after about 10 listens.
  9. Neumu.net
    60
    Easily the band's most consistent, tonally tight disc thus far.
  10. Mojo
    40
    The Aislers don't always hit their mark, perhaps because the disparate interests at work also contribute to some unengaging instrumental, noise and nearly spoken word pieces. [Apr 2003, p.103]
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  11. Dusted Magazine
    40
    Its successes -- its pleasing idiosyncrasies, its moments of charm, and so on -- are there, but underneath a veneer of such blandness that finding them seems like more trouble than it's worth.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. virgiln
    Apr 19, 2003
    10
    its actually really fucking good. give it more that ten listens.
  2. christophern
    Mar 11, 2003
    8
    Catchy dream-pop, definitely a great album to spin on a sunny day.
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