I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose
by Bombay Bicycle Club
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jul 6, 2009
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35

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  1. Paul_Mokeski
    Jan 15, 2019
    10
    One of my all time favorite albums. A blast to listen to from beginning to end
  2. Ricko
    Oct 9, 2014
    7
    This is a reasonably strong indie pop/rock debut - its got nice guitar work, nice vocals, good dynamics on the songs, is well recorded and slickly produced and all of this helps bring the raw material up a notch. The songs are only averagely good (as we see with the stripped down follow up "Flaws") but its the shine and the layers put on the songs that make them a success. OpenerThis is a reasonably strong indie pop/rock debut - its got nice guitar work, nice vocals, good dynamics on the songs, is well recorded and slickly produced and all of this helps bring the raw material up a notch. The songs are only averagely good (as we see with the stripped down follow up "Flaws") but its the shine and the layers put on the songs that make them a success. Opener "Emergency Contraception Blues" is the albums most interesting track and also the highlight of the record. "Evening/Morning" is another nice track. Other than that there are plenty of decent tracks but not many that I come back to repeatedly. There is obviously talent present within the group but the fruit of their labours vary in quality depending on the bands level of focus.… Collapse
  3. AdhStreets
    Jun 18, 2013
    10
    Although through an initial listen this album can seem slow to ease into its potential, but once you begin to recognize the songs and listen closely to the words, you will find yourself emotionally invested in this subtly brilliant album.
  4. Christianl2004
    Dec 9, 2010
    9
    I baffled by the critic's low score for this album but then again these are the people who give Ke$ha 78, so what do they know. This album is brilliant from start to finish, highly recommended.
  5. EvanH
    Jan 11, 2010
    9
    I'm not sure why the critics didn't like this more. Uses some infectious, Vampire Weekend-ish beats, harrowingly powerful (but still rock) vocals, and pretty song writing. What's not to like here?

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Billboard.com
    79
    London rock act Bombay Bicycle Club hasn't been playing together long, but the foursome boasts an impressive sound on debut album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose (released last July in the United Kingdom).
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  2. Dot Music
    70
    Although Bombay Bicycle Club can't quite hold a torch to the all-conquering returning Maccabees, they're an armful short of effortless anthems for that, but they prove themselves worthy of operating in their shadow.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    40
    This is duvet music, offering vague comfort but impossible to feel any excitement for.
    Read full review
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