Light Up Gold
by Parquet Courts
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 60
  3. Negative: 1 out of 60
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  1. cidersuspect
    Jan 18, 2013
    9
    A like this album a lot. Reminds me of Kings Of Leon in their early days when they used to be good, can hear a bit of Pavement too. Very good debut album and hope to catch them live.
  2. mcstupa
    Feb 8, 2013
    10
    This is the most exciting new band I've heard in years. The lyrics are as instantly relateable and as obscure as slanted and/or enchanted, the tempos are fierce, the beats relentless. Godspeed the future and the past all at once.
  3. edvard
    Feb 28, 2014
    9
    If this album was a cocktail,it would taste like this:
    It is like "Is this It" "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" and like some old dad-countryrock band mixed with a touch of chili powder.
  4. papalazarou
    Feb 6, 2013
    7
    Like Beck or the Pixies, but not quite. Light Up Gold is a weird concoction of an album, with an inconsistent feel. It ranges from the beautiful melodies on "master of my craft" to the rather annoying and repetitive "Borrowed Time". Tracks like "Disney P.T" verge far too near to the horrendous shouty lad rock genre we're too often used to experiencing from mediocre indie bands in Britain.Like Beck or the Pixies, but not quite. Light Up Gold is a weird concoction of an album, with an inconsistent feel. It ranges from the beautiful melodies on "master of my craft" to the rather annoying and repetitive "Borrowed Time". Tracks like "Disney P.T" verge far too near to the horrendous shouty lad rock genre we're too often used to experiencing from mediocre indie bands in Britain. On the whole this is a strong enough album. Although there are plenty of moments that cause you to hide your eyes behind your hands or press pause on your iPod for a second, feeling embarrassed for the band having to deliver this crap, there are more occasions where the listener is served up a refreshing slice of "cool".… Expand
  5. ReviewCurator
    Feb 4, 2013
    6
    Are these guys for real? Sure I'll admit the style has a fresh edge to it, but is there any staying power? It seems like the hipster flavor of the month to me, and I'd be surprised to see them ever forge their sound into something beyond what it is now. As I listen to Light Up Gold, I find myself thinking 'I'd rather be hearing Ween's 12 Country Greats'
  6. JUIKER
    Feb 8, 2013
    8
    This is no reinvention of the punk wheel but it does seem like a solid album from beginning to end. It`s catchy at times, repetitive at others and only time will tell if it has staying power.
  7. adhamhany
    Jan 1, 2014
    6
    A good rock album. It's been a long time since i heard any guitar riffs and solos. The energetic vocals, along with the music, provided a good enough listening experience.

    There are some really catchy tracks here, some decent ones, and others are forgettable. But they're all short. And that's a problem with the album. It's way too short. Overall, the album is good. Only time will    A good rock album. It's been a long time since i heard any guitar riffs and solos. The energetic vocals, along with the music, provided a good enough listening experience.

    There are some really catchy tracks here, some decent ones, and others are forgettable. But they're all short. And that's a problem with the album. It's way too short.

    Overall, the album is good. Only time will tell if this band can keep up, or improve, on this work.    … Expand
  8. brockcheese
    May 23, 2018
    8
    Really fun post punk garage rock band. I am sensing a lot of influences from the Modern Lovers, but they have referenced genres from rap to grindcore.
  9. LDNorman
    Jun 4, 2013
    7
    This is an album with potential. What I like about it is that they don't sound like they're trying too hard, They've got a cool, laid-back, indie vibe about them. I expect good things from them in the future,
  10. Muddsjr
    Feb 16, 2014
    7
    Light Up Gold has its Clumsy moments, where perhaps the guitar solo's feel less as skilled, and the vocals get a little irritating, but aside from that, Light Up Gold not only has the occasional class song, but it sounds like a new heart and soul from a band that had an idea, and got through with it rather successfully.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Austin Chronicle
    May 30, 2013
    89
    It's an album of brainy rock songs that state their claims then defiantly step out from beneath the ethereal haze.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    May 13, 2013
    80
    Parquet Courts are a charmingly old-fashioned band, transmitting cryptic, collapsible songs to an anyone who can build a receiver from Guided By Voices-coloured vinyl and Pavement fanzines. [Jun 2013, p.104]
  3. Uncut
    Apr 25, 2013
    80
    Light Up Gold packs 15 songs in 33 minutes, and most are great. [Jun 2013, p.78]
See all critic reviews »