User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5

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  1. ChrisG
    Dec 15, 2006
    8
    Good, somewhat quirky dream pop...nice stuff...melodic....and a grower.
  2. ChristianR
    Jan 28, 2007
    9
    Really great record..much more organic and a bit mellower than their previous work but to great result.s The songs on Let's Build are catchy, lyrically engaging (dare I say meaningful) and depsite decriptors by others like "pleasant", this is just as subtly subversive as the rest of their catalog and therefore moreso than most other records. Though it may not on the surface seem to Really great record..much more organic and a bit mellower than their previous work but to great result.s The songs on Let's Build are catchy, lyrically engaging (dare I say meaningful) and depsite decriptors by others like "pleasant", this is just as subtly subversive as the rest of their catalog and therefore moreso than most other records. Though it may not on the surface seem to tap into the national zeitgeist, can you name a band that makes simultaneously think, feel and bob your head and dance to a song in 7? Expand
  3. SallyF
    Dec 11, 2006
    7
    You get the feeling Patrick Ramos and (esp.) James Baluyut are tired of conventional pop song structure when you hear this. While a few songs made me want to come back for more, as a whole this seemed hollow. Still the best thing they released was theHolding Patterns EP...i miss versus.
  4. Andy
    Dec 12, 2006
    7
    It's grown on me a lot since the first listen, this is one that creeps up on you. It still doesn't match the dynamic sound of You Are Here and they're EP. Go see these guys live, the drummer is outstanding.
  5. AndyD
    Dec 26, 2006
    9
    great record. ignore the clueless morons at pitchfork and cokemachineglow. unlike them, you should actually listen to the record. i agree with sally f that holding patterns is definitely their best release, but let's build a fire is great nonetheless. the important thing is to love is a powerful song. a classic.
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. All over Let's Build a Fire, +/- fails to capitalize on the moments of beauty and originality by either doing too much or doing too little.
  2. One of the better American rock albums of this year.
  3. Several cuts on +/-’s third full-length... feature tunes sturdy (and dreamy) enough to satisfy a Death Cab for Cutie fan. But Let’s Build a Fire is also full of moments that suggest Baluyut has grown tired of the straightforward indie-rock approach.