Keep It Together
by Guster
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Keep It Together may not feature the emotional dynamics or track-by-track genius of Lost and Gone Forever, but it has something that its predecessor didn't: an unabashed pop anthem that dares you to sit still.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Overall, you can still expect the same and more from Guster on this very summery record: tempo changes that will catch you off your guard, melodies that will stay in your head forever, and lyrics that may seem simple, but actually go deeper into life than you originally thought they did.
  3. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    Given the four years since the band's previous album (and arguably its defining moment), one can't help wishing it didn't sound quite so effortless. A little more elbow grease would have gone a long way.
  5. Blender
    70
    There's nothing here that sticks to the ribs very long. [#17, p.136]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Pitchfork
    70
    The thing that really bothers me the most about this album is how conventional it sounds.
  7. Rolling Stone
    70
    Keep It Together proves that all the touring hasn't hardened Guster's bright folk-pop sound a bit.
  8. PopMatters
    70
    It's probably the best synthesis so far of Guster's strong melodic quirks and their willingness to nudge at the boundaries of their own sound.
  9. Splendid
    60
    Harmless and happy, with an underbelly of serious sadness, Keep it Together dares to be average, and comes out sounding and feeling pretty decent.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. DaveN
    Sep 22, 2006
    9
    People don't realize how different Guster's CD are from each other. Parachute, while a good debut, showed them struggeling to People don't realize how different Guster's CD are from each other. Parachute, while a good debut, showed them struggeling to secure a signature sound. Goldfly tweaked the errors, but resulted in an extremely dark sound. Lost and Gone Forever was the attempted "sellout" CD with the clean pop sound. Keep it Together shows the band evolving into magnificent song writers who don't need the signature bongos in the background to obtain a unique sound. While Lost and Gone Forever might be viewed as more memorable, Keep it Together is the better CD.… Full Review »
  2. HomieBB
    Jun 29, 2006
    4
    this album is definately not a ten, b/c of the lack of good songs!!!!!!!!!!
  3. TheCritic
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    definately a ten all you reviewers... c'mon!!!
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