• Record Label: Rykodisc
  • Release Date: Mar 25, 2008
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Under The Radar
    50
    As it stands, everything is cranked to the same volume, creating a wash of sound that's neither punchy enough to move the rockers, nor benign enough to satisfy the stoners. [Spring 2008, p.82]
  2. The production is sublime, every beat and note fully realised in glorious colour. The songs, however, sound tired, and despite determined efforts to sound upbeat and jaunty, they end in a slump of indie-pop lethargy.
  3. While Cave represents a return to form, the band hasn't recaptured the beauty of early highlights like 'When the Red King Comes' or 'A Dream in Sound.'
  4. While there could have been an effort to eliminate some of the canned percussive elements and other recording anomalies, Elf Power have crafted a wonderful album, filled with plenty of catchy hooks and interesting musical ideas based on simple progressions.
  5. While Elf Power haven't started to turn into Steely Dan on us, after a dozen years Elf Power has a lineup that can lay down a solid groove, add tasty guitar and keyboard accents and generally sound like a for-real band rather than a music fan's goof.
  6. Uncut
    60
    If a few tracks see them flirt with Eno-esque avant garde, thes wayward tendencies are balanced out by pretty folk ballads. [June 2008, p.88]
  7. The album drags at the midpoint with 'Softly Through the Void,' the psychic/sonic equivalent of a 3pm sugar crash at your cubicle, but 'Paralyzed' and "Fried Out" offer enough psychedelia-beds-rock jolt to yank one out of the fog.
  8. Lyrically, In a Cave is no less perplexing than other records.
  9. Cave feels like a group that's comfortably going in circles, not finding a fresh way to do what it's already done.

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