King Night - Salem
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7

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  1. julian
    Oct 10, 2010
    9
    For me the album of the year in an exceptional year, because of a whole raft of reasons. It sounds obvious but the range of influences is so contemporary and original. Seems a blur of Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Crystal Castles, wigged out dubstep, hiphop, JJ, electro, Gary Newman and even the Cocteau Twins. Like MIA's Kala it seems to the years most "now" release. Ive been flogging this album and How to Dress Well's debut to death and am surprised by Pitchforks low score for this - it will always be divisive - theyre both great albums but Salem shade How to Dress Well, it must be one of the most glaring omissions from Pitchforks 'best new music' tag this year. Really interesting outfit, even the ugly stupid rap parts seem to add to the idiosyncrasy. I don't think this is getting the kudos for the consistency of the tracks, all are worthwhile and most very good to excellent, def one of the top ten releases of a stellar year.… Expand
  2. hydrawithears
    Oct 2, 2011
    10
    Prepare yourself for one of the gloomiest albums youâ

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. NOW Magazine
    Mar 17, 2011
    80
    They might be unreliable performers, but their studio work is forward-thinking and beautiful in an oddly satisfying, downtrodden way.
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  2. CMJ
    Jan 11, 2011
    80
    In the end, the album proves that it is the night that is the king of the dark.
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  3. The Wire
    Dec 22, 2010
    80
    Their debut album King Night defies genre tagging and, for once, lives up to the drooling media accolades already smeared on it. [Dec 2010, p.54]
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