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Knives Don't Have Your Back
by
Knives Don't Have Your Back Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: The first solo album for the Metric singer finds her backed by members of Stars, Metric and Broken Social Scene (together billed as The Soft Skeleton).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Lost At Sea
    85
    The songs are emotive, and yet have catchy hooks; they are at times unrestrained and at others, calculated.
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    A lovely record. [Summer 2006]
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  3. Alternative Press
    80
    Knives Don't Have Your Back is like the soundtrack to an excellent Alfred Hitchcock film. [Oct 2006, p.200]
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  4. Pitchfork
    73
    etric's clunky riffage and hi-hat beats are replaced by simple piano figures and subtle adornments (strings, feedback, breathing organ) that draw out Haines' most stirring vocal performances to date, and the muted milieu highlights her natural, sensuous whisper, lending a sympathetic thrust to these broken-down anthems for a thirtysomething girl.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    70
    She may not excel on her solo album the way she has with Broken Social Scene or Metric, but it's still a rainy-day listen.
  6. 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.
  7. Spin
    40
    Mostly frustrating... the spare instrumentation and samey melodies wear you down. [Oct 2006, p.96]
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See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. MattD.
    Sep 26, 2006
    10
    Spin needs to get a clue. This album is moving the Tori Amos piano sound forward! A nice complement to Metric's rock sound.
  2. Marie
    Jan 7, 2007
    10
    Knifes don't have your back is a beautiful, multilayered album. The sort of material that is very enjoyable at first listen, and simply Knifes don't have your back is a beautiful, multilayered album. The sort of material that is very enjoyable at first listen, and simply grabs more and more deeply each time you hear it. Beautiful, insightful lyrics; subtle, hauting musical arrangements, and of course Emily Haines' entrancing voice. This album is a masterpiece, if simply because neither of its component outshines the other, but rather they all come together to lure you in with a sound that stays with you.… Collapse
  4. Dusty1/2
    Jul 9, 2007
    10
    Excellent, to hear in the night with a pain jaajaja.
  5. MattM
    Sep 27, 2006
    9
    One of the best albums of the year: poignant and beautifully understated, and Haines has never sounded better. Must hear "Our Hell," "Doctor One of the best albums of the year: poignant and beautifully understated, and Haines has never sounded better. Must hear "Our Hell," "Doctor Blind," and especially "The Maid Needs a Maid."… Expand
  6. GinaP
    Apr 26, 2007
    8
    This album is good. It has some amazing pieces and incredible lyrics, really make you feel like there's someone out there you can relate This album is good. It has some amazing pieces and incredible lyrics, really make you feel like there's someone out there you can relate too. Only thing I didn't like was the songs had the same style too much.… Expand
  7. BrettB
    Sep 28, 2006
    8
    Great album. It's one you have to listen to multiple times before you really get into it. After a while certain songs start haunting you Great album. It's one you have to listen to multiple times before you really get into it. After a while certain songs start haunting you as you proceed with the day and you can't wait to go listen to them.… Expand
  8. 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!!… Expand

See all 17 User Reviews