Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. It's always pretty, but overall, the allure is almost meretricious, considering four or five songs provoke nothing beyond a pleasant ambivalence.
  2. Unfortunately, talent alone doesn't always make a great record, and Howdy! lacks the excitement to put it in that category.
  3. Few bands epitomise so well the virtues of not fixing that which isn't broken.
  4. Typically sunny Fanclub, yet more nuanced and colorful than anything the band has done before.
  5. It’s by no means a landmark, and it’s not close to their best; it’s just well-done.
  6. It's pure cotton candy for the ears, and it sounds sublime.
  7. Howdy! is made up of everything you'd expect from Teenage Fanclub: warm and inviting acoustic pop, fluid melodies, rich harmonies, and head-nodding rhythms.
  8. Teenage Fanclub has absorbed the Britpop successes and failures of the past decade and made an album that celebrates everything that can go right when musicians listen to far too many Beatles records.
  9. Trafficking exclusively in warm, timeless, pleasant power-pop, Howdy! represents the musical embodiment of its agreeable title.
  10. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The 'club's most satisfying collection since 1990's A Catholic Education. [25 Jan 2002, p.107]
  11. Magnet
    80
    Howdy is vintage Teenage Fanclub. [#53, p.92]
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Mar 1, 2011
    9
    As good an album as you can hope for from a pop band these days. These songs are extremely well written, with excellent chord progressionsAs good an album as you can hope for from a pop band these days. These songs are extremely well written, with excellent chord progressions and melodies that remain in my head. The production is top notch too, and gives the album a real sense of cohesion. I'm writing this review in 2011, a testament to the staying power of these great pop songs. Full Review »
  2. AlanS
    Apr 28, 2005
    4
    This is their worst album in nearly 12 years. It's crafted okay but there's none of the energy which they exert abundantly on some This is their worst album in nearly 12 years. It's crafted okay but there's none of the energy which they exert abundantly on some of their previous albums. "I Need Direction" is both the album's best song and the band's figurative cry for help. Maybe a change of producer would help next time. Full Review »
  3. GraemeW
    Jan 27, 2004
    8
    Not quite upo there with Songs From Northern Britain & Bandwagonesque, but as charming & tuneful as you could wish for. A criminally under Not quite upo there with Songs From Northern Britain & Bandwagonesque, but as charming & tuneful as you could wish for. A criminally under rated band. Full Review »