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Hypnotic Underworld Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The experimental/psychedelic Japanese collective returns with their first album in five years, with co-founder Taishi Takizawa re-joining the group as a member (in addition to continuing to serve as the band's producer).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Mojo
    90
    Their masterpiece--the re-interpretation of Western rock history as some consenual power-prog dream narrative where Led Zeppelin and Soft Machine are more important than The Beatles. [May 2004, p.105]
  2. Hypnotic Underworld is a new high-water mark from one of rock's most interesting bands.
  3. The Wire
    90
    It's simultaneously the group's most successful integration of the various strands they've chased over the years and their most ambitious and expansive work to date. [#241, p.50]
  4. Uncut
    70
    Flutter[s] between commune jazz, zen folk and straightforward hippy rock. [Apr 2004, p.106]
  5. The music is fantastic, but the sinking suspicion that there's something else going on that you can't possibly fathom becomes pervasive by album's end.
  6. Q Magazine
    70
    All told, one weird trip. [May 2004, p.102]
  7. 50
    It’s all very strange yet thoroughly intriguing, but it does leave you pondering the question of what direction Ghost are planning to move in next.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. MatiasM
    Dec 17, 2006
    10
    First time that I have heard this album, I said: "What I am doing listenin this!?" but, for a strange reason, I simply just can't push First time that I have heard this album, I said: "What I am doing listenin this!?" but, for a strange reason, I simply just can't push the STOP button. Today this is one of my favourite discs Expand
  2. AmirN
    Feb 25, 2004
    9
    Stellar, stellar rock. The pure tightness and multi-instrumental skill on display here makes nearly every other release so far this year look Stellar, stellar rock. The pure tightness and multi-instrumental skill on display here makes nearly every other release so far this year look amateurish. You couldn't dream of better bass lines, and well, pure technical skill. Expand
  3. JeremiahC
    May 5, 2005
    9
    Psychedelic Rock at its best. The structure of this album forces to listen to it as a whole. Very impressive and mindcapturing.