LCD Soundsystem
by LCD Soundsystem
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 141
  3. Negative: 15 out of 141

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  1. Alex
    Aug 30, 2005
    3
    I've tried so hard to work out why this appeals to so many critics. Maybe you like second-rate minimalist house-pop. I can't work out how someone can listen to 2 CDs of this stuff when I can't bear a whole song
  2. SeanP.
    Apr 4, 2006
    9
    It isnt perfect, like absolute classics out there, but man, the best songs are really, really great. And it contains the best electronica single of last year: "Yeah". I could listen to that song (all 9 minutes of it) all day for a week.
  3. MichaelK
    Mar 3, 2005
    9
    "Daft Punk" is one of the funnest tracks in years and definitely the album's highlight, but the rest is quite good, too, ranging from slow and druggy to post-punk and trashy, with some Talking Heads motifs thrown in for good measure. Some might find this album inconsistent, but I happen to like every style explored here, so, for me, it's just wonderuflly eclectic.
  4. jp
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    james murphy is a true visionary. he marries the old with the new, taking influences and creating something truly original. he's not trying to be cool, i think that's why some people don't get it.
  5. ManuelA
    Feb 18, 2005
    9
    Exciting sound, the right influences in the right moment -but making music which will survive.
  6. aland
    Feb 20, 2005
    9
    ok guys... having an album of "yeah"s and "losing my edge"s would be seriously annoying wouldnt it? yes it would. murphy knows the difference between a single and an album, and he's not making an album of singles, that's the first thing you're going to have to get over before you start to appreciate how awesome these songs are. the album is party as hell with stupidly ok guys... having an album of "yeah"s and "losing my edge"s would be seriously annoying wouldnt it? yes it would. murphy knows the difference between a single and an album, and he's not making an album of singles, that's the first thing you're going to have to get over before you start to appreciate how awesome these songs are. the album is party as hell with stupidly addictive songs (daft punk is playing at my house, movement, tribulations) to crazy fun (on repeat) and to songs that make you dance like the cult-movie dumbass character with the fro (disco infiltratior). definately satisfying.… Expand
  7. MC
    Feb 22, 2005
    2
    Utter Crap, overhyped.......barely music
  8. MathieuR
    Mar 17, 2005
    9
    One gets the feeling Murphy's sound might get old pretty quickly, but right now, as last year, his music is just plain fun. You'll shake your waist and feel clever about it.
  9. EdwardE
    Mar 2, 2005
    5
    I don't understand the hype. Sure it's an okay mashing of dance beats & angular guitars, but... It's also highly repetitive.
  10. PhilPhil
    Mar 20, 2005
    7
    Good, not a classic, feels.....like you should be liking it a lot more than you are. Another overrated, overhyped dance album pumped up by hipsters who are just begging indie kids to break out into synth inspired dance moves. But definetly worth a listen, there are highlights, just dont expect it to change your life, as the indie press would have you believe it does.
  11. Decepticon_Pom
    Mar 2, 2005
    8
    Sheer scope is the order of the day. Rekon this is one dance album that won't lose its sheen 12 or 24 months from now but will actually get better with age.
  12. Joris
    Apr 1, 2005
    3
    Overrrated. This is just a hype. There are much better albums out there. Only a few ok songs, the tracks are too long and not definitely not original. Why do reviewers hype an album like this and give gems like The Music's " Welcome to the north" or the truly outstanding "Worlds Apart" from AndYouWillKnowUsByTheTrailOfDead bad reviews?? I'll never understand...
  13. KonstantinL
    Apr 1, 2005
    6
    Beat Connection is great, however.... Many of the tracks on this album are virtually note for note rip offs of songs by Krautrock groups like Can, Neu! and inparticular Cluster. Hearing such blatant musical thieft takes alot of the sheen off what is basically a decent album.
  14. KoolKeith
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    This album rules. For me it's the best in 2005 until. Best tracks are "Tribulations" and "Yeah (Crass)".
  15. ScottE.
    Sep 14, 2005
    9
    Wow! I love this 2-CD set, and I'm not even into trance or house party music! I ended up mixing my favorite songs from both CDs into an 80-minute jam of my favorite songs (Tribulation, Yeah, Movement & Disco Infiltrator) and it gets me up and moving every morning. In fact, I burned several CDs of my mix and have gotten rave reviews from all of the party animals at my work. Highly Wow! I love this 2-CD set, and I'm not even into trance or house party music! I ended up mixing my favorite songs from both CDs into an 80-minute jam of my favorite songs (Tribulation, Yeah, Movement & Disco Infiltrator) and it gets me up and moving every morning. In fact, I burned several CDs of my mix and have gotten rave reviews from all of the party animals at my work. Highly recommended to anyone with an open mind and a curious heart. I just can't stop grooving to this music. One song sounds like David Bowie before he went androgenous and the next reminds me of Depeche Mode meets Devo meets The Cure. I can't even describe the amount of fun that it adds to my work when I slap a discopunk CD into the boombox and the ladies rock out as we work grueling 12-hour shifts. For those who are looking for something refreshingly new that reminds you of the good times back in the '80s, these songs are tight!… Collapse
  16. EmilyB
    Feb 9, 2006
    9
    The second disc easily catapaults this record from a tribute to James Murphy's favorite bands to something much more interesting.
  17. Ian
    May 16, 2006
    9
    This album still sounds strong a year down the line.
  18. EduardoO
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    This is the testament (and beginning) of the Murphy's era. James will be remembered for his take on Dance/Rock as anybody else has done it. Get it, listen and be part of history.
  19. bobr
    May 5, 2007
    10
    daft punk is playing at my house... my house! woot
  20. KJ
    Dec 21, 2005
    7
    There are two things that I definitely know about this album. 1. Between the two discs, there is enough really good music to fill a one disc LP. 2. Clearly, every music critic out there is being bullied by James Murphy. Music critics, almost by definition, are music nerds, and James Murphy is quickly becoming known as the Godfather of music nerds. With all of the references to the There are two things that I definitely know about this album. 1. Between the two discs, there is enough really good music to fill a one disc LP. 2. Clearly, every music critic out there is being bullied by James Murphy. Music critics, almost by definition, are music nerds, and James Murphy is quickly becoming known as the Godfather of music nerds. With all of the references to the cool-kids' music of the past, for a critic to give LCD Soundsystem a bad review would be akin to admitting that he or she doesn't know the history of hip music. Of course, just because critics are afraid of being outed by Murphy doesn't make the record any stronger. Just look at the user reviews. Typically, user reviews are biased and rate higher than critics' reviews. No surprise that users rated this disc lower than critics did. With all of that said, this is a pretty good record, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I still don't like Daft Punk, though, unless they're being referenced in a song that they didn't make.… Expand
  21. ChrisC
    Feb 17, 2005
    7
    There are some really good things about this album. The band has a really good musical sense of what they're trying to accomplish, but the music is just really lacking in emotion, and that keeps it from being an A album.
  22. KA
    Mar 11, 2005
    2
    over-hyped. Yea its hip, but is wayyyy self-consciously hip . Take a pass.
  23. joeyk
    Mar 10, 2005
    10
    There's no doubt this is good stuff, and hopefully it will find its way into many ears.
  24. PaulPaul
    Mar 14, 2005
    7
    It sounds cool, but it doesn't feel like sex, u know?
  25. ivo
    Mar 26, 2005
    3
    sad!
  26. ericf
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    it's real music. it pays you back for your effort. not much does that.
  27. jarryd
    Apr 4, 2005
    10
    This album is excellent. Great songs with plenty of variety. worth buyin as well double cd
  28. JoshuaM
    May 16, 2005
    3
    This is essentially an over-simplified daft punk with one dudes boring voice all over it. For reasons that are still not clear to me, critics and DJs love it. If you're into ultra-basic electronic pop, you might like it, but otherwise stear clear!
  29. KimP
    Jun 10, 2005
    0
    this band is absolutely horrible.
  30. RobbieP
    Aug 24, 2005
    8
    quirky, funky, bass driven party music for those who turned their backs on trance long ago looking for something edgier.
  31. derrekj
    Sep 24, 2005
    10
    are you insane? seriously? i can't even get into how well this record is made--how it works in so many ways. the songs rule independently, and as an album (short and sweet) it actually flows! that's completely disregarding the ridiculously detailed and amazing tracks on the bonus disc. give it 5 years... the bands that went balls out for the glory will be dead and gone, or so are you insane? seriously? i can't even get into how well this record is made--how it works in so many ways. the songs rule independently, and as an album (short and sweet) it actually flows! that's completely disregarding the ridiculously detailed and amazing tracks on the bonus disc. give it 5 years... the bands that went balls out for the glory will be dead and gone, or so horrible and pop that you'll be ashamed you ever went to see them. lcd and dfa will be left standing, getting better and better.… Expand
  32. steph
    Sep 29, 2005
    9
    this album rocks. especially beat connection... there's such a strong rythm and the whole album just keeps you rocking....
  33. KevB
    Jan 12, 2006
    8
    Quality album. Fresh & Funky. Saw them live last year and they blew the house down, and that was on a Sunday morning after 2 days of utter maddness. Takes some band to get a crowd going like that.
  34. beez
    Jan 2, 2006
    2
    i hate wasting money on crap. the vocalist totally ripped off the fall's marc e smith and the rest of them sound like the rapture. total rubbish!!!
  35. GaryM.
    Feb 1, 2006
    10
    I wish I were as cool as their music. I'd be beating girls off with a stick. Seriously.
  36. AprilC
    May 26, 2006
    10
    Tribulations is simply the best dance track I have ever heard. It is the reason I bought this stellar album, and I just knew the rest would kick! It does! BUY THIS ALBUM. It is unique, clever, catchy, and ROCKS!
  37. MarkJ
    May 11, 2007
    10
    Even better than the first album, every song is worth of a single release
  38. davidw
    Feb 16, 2005
    6
    Some great tracks (daft punk playing at my house, tribulations) but also plenty of filler (thrills, on repeat, disco infiltrator) Alos, nothing is in the same league as Yeah or Losing My Edge. Overall a dissapointment... The only dancepunk producer who seems to be able to produce a consistant album is Maurice Fulton (from Mu)
  39. [Anonymous]
    Feb 21, 2005
    10
    I don't really listen to electronica at all - and usually I think of it as disposable candy - but this cd is actually pretty good!
  40. johnk
    Apr 13, 2005
    4
    more of the same from the pitchfork dance lovers crowd. didnt do to much for me. sad the extra disk was actually way better than the album. i am the disco infultrator for sure! ha
  41. WayneB
    May 21, 2005
    3
    Knowing I was taking a gamble on this when I made the purchase and man did I lose my shirt. Way over-hyped...Doubt it would even appeal to fans of Peaches (though maybe to M.I.A. devotees) Only a bright moment or two on Disc 2. OK, off to trade mine for some store credit!
  42. RosalynT
    Jan 11, 2006
    9
    I like the free flow thinking
  43. TaniaR
    Dec 19, 2006
    9
    this is a great album i love lisening to it
  44. SamH
    Sep 24, 2006
    9
    Premier Punk-funk that is simply too much fun to ignore. There's more than a little nostalgia with referfences to New Order, Talking Heads, Gang of Four, and many, many more.
  45. orinj
    Feb 21, 2011
    8
    Stretching over 2 discs and containing a solid 100 minutes of music, you can expect a few shortfalls, especially considering that it's a debut. What makes LCD Soundsystem's self-titled debut so special thought that it doesn't tread the middle ground - it goes for excellent or bust, and mostly succeeds.
  46. Vampire25
    Mar 1, 2011
    8
    LCD Soundsystem is a great album. Each track sounds great. It's a mix between punk to electro to funk to just down-right rock. It's a perfect blend of all those genre's. "Yeah (Crass Version)" is the standout track. All In All, LCD Soundsystem is not as good as Sound Of Silver, but it's a good early stuff by one of the best indie bands out there. B+
  47. Ricko
    Dec 23, 2015
    8
    Excellent debut from the dance rock James Murphy vehicle. One of the most striking things about the record is the range of styles present - dance, punk rock, White Album psychedelic rock, all present and accounted for. Opener "Daft Punk.." is a fitting tribute to the masked dance outfit, up tempo, quirky and essentially catchy. "Tribulations" has a clubbing feel to it - its a sound hardExcellent debut from the dance rock James Murphy vehicle. One of the most striking things about the record is the range of styles present - dance, punk rock, White Album psychedelic rock, all present and accounted for. Opener "Daft Punk.." is a fitting tribute to the masked dance outfit, up tempo, quirky and essentially catchy. "Tribulations" has a clubbing feel to it - its a sound hard to pin down but is definitely familiar - for some reason Primal Scream pops into my head. "Movement" sees LCD Soundsystem go for a thumping trash punk feel before the band essentially cover The Beatles "Dear Prudence" with "I'm Never As Tired As When I'm Waking Up". The second half of the album is very much set in EDM mode, with the tracks gradually built up around grooves and beats over reasonably long stretches. A great introduction to the band who would go from strength to strength over the course of their studio career and following albums.… Expand
  48. brockcheese
    Oct 5, 2017
    9
    This is an excellent debut of minimalist perfection with interesting lyrics and a dope dance beat incorporating the best elements of dance punk from the 80s on.
  49. spenceryang8
    Feb 22, 2019
    6
    While much of your enjoyment of Electric Lady Sessions will depend on your enjoyment of American Dream, that material does benefit from the more in-the-moment sound here.

    FAV TRACKS: (WE DON'T NEED THIS) FASCIST GROOVE THANG, EMOTIONAL HAIRCUT, I WANT YOUR LOVE, TONITE, CALL THE POLICE

    LEAST FAV TRACK: OH BABY

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2005
79
#79 Most Discussed Album of 2005
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. cokemachineglow
    58
    LCD Soundsystem is mostly too afraid to be balls-out fun, but too unambitious to make for a really rewarding artistic experience. Essentially, it sits awkwardly in a no-man’s land between artistry and actual dancing fun, like guess-what-demographic.
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  2. Dot Music
    60
    Built on a repetitious platform of bass, drums and guitar, what starts off as a genuinely thrilling journey tends to conclude in a cul-de-sac.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    A disparate yet cohesive collection of songs.
    Read full review
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