Infiniheart
by Chad VanGaalen
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10

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  1. JereW
    Jul 18, 2006
    9
    I like him better than Sufjan (they are often compared for reasons unknown to me). His second effort will do much better!
  2. T-WiLL
    Oct 19, 2005
    8
    The single "Clinically Dead" will linger in your mind for years. The rest of teh album is a grower. If given the time, a rewarding listen.
  3. matta
    Oct 10, 2005
    9
    Very impressive lo-fi album. All the tracks work pretty flawlessly together but I would be interested to see what some studio production would do to his sound. Still, stunning first proper debut and one of the year's ten best.
  4. NathanM
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    For 10 years, Chad VanGaalen has been toiling away in obscurity, producing his own brand of spacey folk music from his basement. His first commercially available album - Infiniheart is a manic flight through sonic prairie wastelands. Mr. VanGaalen acts as singer, songwriter & producer on the album - a true renaissance man. Energetic, yet restrained.
  5. MattK
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    This is second only to Sufjan's "Illinois" in my book - spectacular song writing of the darkest variety. Great and extremely unique sound you will not find from your generic pop artists - very much a ground breaker.
  6. jah
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    been listening to this for a year and a half without a break, just great
  7. RogerM
    Aug 26, 2005
    9
    One of the finer things to come down the pipe in a while. Dig it!

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    An excellent new-school Neil Young for the Garden State generation. [26 Aug 2005, p.61]
  2. Neumu.net
    70
    Melding big, weary Fleetwood Mac-esque emotion to stretched-out arrangements, both electronic and folk, the Canadian singer/songwriter's power lies in his dedication to his own individuality.
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  3. Pitchfork
    71
    That's ultimately the sticking point with Infiniheart: VanGaalen's songs tend toward folly, yet it's impossible to discount his commitment to the material.
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