Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Jun 20, 2011
    80
    The grandeur is only slightly greater than it was before, but they've discovered a certain pop sensibility that was previously absent. And not only have they discovered this attribute about themselves, but they have honed in on that particular trait and made it the focus of the entire album.
  2. 'Idealism' is dusted with the kind of metallic house glitter caking LCD's 'Sound Of Silver', and, just as promisingly, the title track could have been carved from Daft Punk before they decided they were human after all.
  3. Idealism packs in more memorable riffs and tunes than the recent Bloc Party and Futureheads albums put together.
  4. Uncut
    80
    Idealism is essentially a retread, but a superior retread with subtle character definition. [Jun 2007, p.97]
  5. Sometimes it's electronic music you can rock to, sometimes it's neo-disco tech-house you can sing with, but it's always the fringe of dance-pop at its peak put together in a razor-sharp package.
  6. Jun 20, 2011
    70
    Despite the echoes of their past on this second long-play set, Digitalism's perfectly timed return is more about fondness than contempt.
  7. Spin
    70
    Idealism shows off plenty of blaring synth riffs. [Jun 2007, p.92]
  8. Under The Radar
    60
    It's the subtlest distortion-heavy dance-pop album of the year, which makes it less compelling than its contemporaries, but also might make it more enduring. [Summer 2007, p.87]
  9. Idealism has some fun with memorable new electro (“The Pulse,” “Home Zone,” “Idealistic”) and nu-rave cuts (“I Want I Want,” “Pogo”). But these guys can’t possibly think fans will believe this fifteen-track behemoth, mostly lacking in subtlety and invention, is the big party they half-seriously claim it to be, over and over and over again.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. MarkL.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    Killer tracks... Fans of Daft Punk and LCD Sound Systems.. This CD is a must own.
  2. NosB.
    Dec 16, 2007
    10
    Brilliant from beginning to end.
  3. DanG.
    Aug 19, 2007
    6
    Does everyone here work for Digitalism? This is no match for Justice & Sebastian. It lacks any real character and sounds like all the Does everyone here work for Digitalism? This is no match for Justice & Sebastian. It lacks any real character and sounds like all the 'cool' car adverts I'll be muting in the next 12 months. Pitchfork have it right. Full Review »