It's Never Been Like That - Phoenix
It's Never Been Like That Image
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: This is the third studio album for the French synth-rock band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    It's Never Been Like That has the necessary edge of real art, but it's approachable right down to the final song, "Second To None," with its deep echo and thin lines.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    Its charms sink their teeth in fast and deep.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    If 'It's Never Been Like That' is a failure, at least it's not a boring one. [20 May 2006, p.31]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Tiny Mix Tapes
    30
    A change in demeanor accompanies this change in style, however, and it's a turn for the worse: Phoenix now gesture at being a Serious Group with Something to Say.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. ShaneL
    10
    I just came across this bank on XM Radio, XMU. I can't quit listening to it, and its the first time a cd's been good enough to buy off i-pod just because I can't wait to get to the store. I love cool new music, just rare to find anything mainstream anymore.… Expand
  2. SeamusS
    10
    An inescapably catchy album filled with some of the most brillaint and fast hooks in my knowledge of contemporary pop. The album flows without one week track, paced out beautifully without filler. The second best album of 2006 by far.… Expand
  3. AlexA
    8
    This album should've been recorded by The Strokes right after the success of their "Is This It". It would have been a perfect sequel! However, Phoenix made it and it sounds simply great. The parish boys… Expand
  4. Andy
    7
    I dig it, but its nothing we havn't heard before.

See all 13 User Reviews

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