Knives Don't Have Your Back
by Emily Haines
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Guardian
    60
    Emily Haines' breathy voice lacks range and sometimes character.
  2. Playlouder
    60
    A lap or two behind many of the albums it seemingly aspires to be (Cat Power, Radiohead, Fiona Apple and Elliott Smith comparisons have been made before and seem almost invited) 'Knives...' still has enough personality and original thought to shield it from accusations of simple derivation.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    50
    What the Soft Skeleton lacks is that sassy power Haines embodies with Metric.
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    Essentially, Haines' piano playing and singing are lovely, but Knives' timidity, coupled with mundane and occasionally outright bad lyrics, keep this record in check.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    The lows are low for sure, but the highs are largely absent.
  7. Spin
    40
    Mostly frustrating... the spare instrumentation and samey melodies wear you down. [Oct 2006, p.96]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. OnceBitten
    Nov 22, 2006
    3
    Knives Don't Have Your Back is a perfect title. Emily Haines would never stab anyone in the back, all her old acquantences back in Knives Don't Have Your Back is a perfect title. Emily Haines would never stab anyone in the back, all her old acquantences back in Toronto can attest that she's truly progressive, truly cares about the masses, isn't in it for money, fame and power, would never use her gender as a weapon, would never take money from say someone like Michelan Tires, she's incapable of lying, she'd never cheat or screw over other musicians, she always keeps her promises, her word is her bond, you can certainly trust her, she's got your back, she's selfless and she has nice clothes too, wow, she's so perfect. Believe the hype! It's all true!!… Full Review »
  2. Alex
    Aug 12, 2007
    8
    You either love this cd, or find it boring. Even though the songs may seem a little repetitive, I personnaly loved it. Emily Haines' You either love this cd, or find it boring. Even though the songs may seem a little repetitive, I personnaly loved it. Emily Haines' voice and the soft melodies really got me.… Full Review »
  3. Dusty1/2
    Jul 9, 2007
    10
    Excellent, to hear in the night with a pain jaajaja.
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