(K)no(w)here
by Wilderness
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    70
    An ambitious exercise of restraint, it's a lumbering beast that's minimal but still feels expansive. Epic, even.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    This is strong stuff that thankfully avoids falling into crass sloganeering, and the music backs it up, it's arcing guitar lines and tribal percussion generating a growing atmosphere of anxiety, outrage and disorientation.
  3. Hartford Courant
    80
    From this ambitious approach comes an unqualified stylistic success.
  5. No Ripcord
    50
    With ambition and expectation clearly larger than its execution, (K)no(W)here relies too heavily on its “concept” to drive itself, music being its afterthought and, ultimately, its title only communicates its direction.
  6. Pitchfork
    72
    Despite the band's two-year hiatus, (k)no(w)here's incremental shifts-- slower tempos, starker arrangements, and the addition of McCann's high, keening backing vocals (which, somewhat disconcertingly, recall Journey's Steve Perry)-- advance the drama.
  7. PopMatters
    70
    This album is the sound of a band at the top of its game, knowing its strengths and mixing them to execute a sound as best as they can.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    80
    The guitars come at you from all angles, drums bubble up and clatter like a perfect assembly line, the vocals soar or are flung in from behind. Melodies sneak up and poke you like stray branches. Grab your headphones and start wandering.
  9. Slant Magazine
    80
    Three albums in, Wilderness's music is becoming familiar, but its familiarity is still consistently startling and creative.
  10. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    This could prove strenuous, but the album is more contemplative than didactic--a (k)no(w)here that’s difficult to study but easy to inhabit.
  11. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    (k)no(w)here is a really good, enjoyable record that this band has already made twice before, if a little more unevenly in the past.
  12. Under The Radar
    60
    The throaty, distressed vocals of James Johnson bring a bit more center stage gristle than this feely kinda stuff often gets. Well done. [Year End 2008]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Village Voice
    80
    The record moves with an ear toward its broader gains as one song diced into eight, another crafty epic that takes its theme from this year's headlines.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. [Anonymous]
    Aug 30, 2009
    7
    I still love this band, i just don't love this album much, yet. there really is nothing quite as memorable as anything from the previous I still love this band, i just don't love this album much, yet. there really is nothing quite as memorable as anything from the previous two albums. though, it seems, this album shows a desire to build on their sound. not a disappointment, not a must.… Full Review »
  2. RobertP
    Dec 6, 2008
    10
    This is an album you want to keep a secret. Wait, I just ruined it! It's radical.
  3. qaddis
    Nov 21, 2008
    8
    Mesmerizing. Indefinable atmosphere--it's apocalyptic but not hopeless; it's reverential. This could rock a few souls, but most Mesmerizing. Indefinable atmosphere--it's apocalyptic but not hopeless; it's reverential. This could rock a few souls, but most will not stick around long enough to reap the rewards. Hard to see the band picking up new fans with this one.… Full Review »