La Foret
by Xiu Xiu
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27

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  1. DonaldH
    Jul 12, 2005
    10
    I've been a giant Xiu Xiu fan, and what I've come to expect from them with each album is a sense of surprise, and I have to admit, I was -very- surprised by this album. It's subdued, to say the least. If Fabulous Muscles showed off his influence from bands such as the Smiths and Joy Division, this album shows off his classical art music bent, displaying a serious knowledge I've been a giant Xiu Xiu fan, and what I've come to expect from them with each album is a sense of surprise, and I have to admit, I was -very- surprised by this album. It's subdued, to say the least. If Fabulous Muscles showed off his influence from bands such as the Smiths and Joy Division, this album shows off his classical art music bent, displaying a serious knowledge of John Cage and George Crumb. It's an amazing disc, and just like each of their other discs, it a charm and character that is uniquely its own. Give it quite a few listens, though. I doubt many people will truly digest it for the true quality it is at first.… Expand
  2. AramisG
    Jul 14, 2005
    8
    Jamie, if you read reviews, I just want to say I love Xiu Xiu. It is a testament to your devotion to music that you put out an LP once a year. That is the way all the great old bands did it and I think that totally rocks. Your live shows are pretty awesome too, but I would add a live percussionist (3rd person) because the constant sequencing gets a little old. La Foret is pretty awesome Jamie, if you read reviews, I just want to say I love Xiu Xiu. It is a testament to your devotion to music that you put out an LP once a year. That is the way all the great old bands did it and I think that totally rocks. Your live shows are pretty awesome too, but I would add a live percussionist (3rd person) because the constant sequencing gets a little old. La Foret is pretty awesome and I love the way it is recorded. Overall it has a crispness that was missing on your previous efforts. However, with all the praise I could and should heap on Xiu Xiu, I am completely done with the whisper/ mumble type songs. Maybe it was … Expand
  3. markh
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    good work xiu xiu. brave + original.
  4. benjik
    Sep 13, 2005
    8
    scary and beautiful at the same time... "muppet face" is possibly one of the best songs ever written
  5. MichaelS
    Sep 18, 2005
    8
    Just as good as Fabulous Muscles. Xiu Xiu haven't disappointed me yet, and I doubt they ever will. Good stuff! And to the naysayers: don't bash Xiu Xiu just because you can't comprehend music that's not forcefed to you by ClearChannel and MTV.
  6. lostyourhead
    Aug 6, 2014
    10
    "La Foret" is perhaps my favorite Xiu Xiu album. These songs are brilliant, subversive, confessional gems, constantly hurtling over the edge into uncomfortable, brutal truth in the best possible way. "Muppet Face" remains my favorite Xiu Xiu song. The range of styles, the turns from soft to abrasive, and Jamie's gorgeous, wavering voice--it's just so good.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. PopMatters
    70
    By bringing in more musical variation into the mix, Stewart has managed to keep things interesting enough again, the arrangements making his frantic outbursts more palatable than ever.
    Read full review
  2. Splendid
    80
    In the best possible way, the album is a painful listening experience, forcing the listener into immediate and excruciating catharsis: you look into the eyes of a cold stranger, and see nothing but ugliness and painful regret.
    Read full review
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    It's business as usual, but there is not a damn thing wrong with that when it comes to this group.
    Read full review
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