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London Zoo
by
London Zoo Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 84 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for the artist/music producer Kevin Martin as The Bug.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    London Zoo provides the perfect showcase for its colourful menagerie of MCs and singers. And the Bug's no-nonsense clank and grind production fosters a rare intensity of focus on this album's higher purpose, which is to take the eloquence of Linton Kwesi Johnson and Michael Smith's Eighties dub-poetry, and blast it into digital hyperspace.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Considering the host of absolutely killer tracks, London Zoo might just be Kevin Martin's finest album, which is astounding considering the man has been making music for two decades.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    90
    The cumulative effect--somewhere around being lifted into the heavens by sunrays--is at odds with the continuous black clouds that come before. Yet it’s a necessary chink of light to conclude a journey so oppressive you may just forget to breathe through its duration.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    This broadens his musical palette, with digi-dub, moody techno and deranged dubstep adding weight to Martin's winning sonic menagerie. [Aug 2008, p.132]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    As an album, London Zoo is simply more engaging. Kevin’s production is intense but club-ready, and the lyrics are righteous and relevant.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    80
    That an album can match enjoyment with artistic merit in a year that has largely seen albums go one way or another is a joy in itself.
  7. The Guardian
    80
    Moreover, as apocalyptic as his vision can be, the thrill as he pushes his sounds further outwards proves to be as seductive as it is forbidding.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 12 out of 35
  1. aetra
    May 2, 2011
    10
    An absolute masterpiece. The songs are innovative and interesting, but most of all, they contain a whole f**kload of energy. And I mean ALL ofAn absolute masterpiece. The songs are innovative and interesting, but most of all, they contain a whole f**kload of energy. And I mean ALL of them. Some, like "Angry", are energizing in just a plain agressive, let-it-all-out style, while others, like "Skeng" or "Poison Dart" (which is, by the way, one of the very few true diamonds in this music style, in my opinion), are sophisticated and complicated compositions, not only appealing to the wild parts of our natures, but also the more civilized ones.
    And, of course, if you want to upset your neighbours just enough to move to a different country, buy yourself a decent sub to go with the record.    … Collapse
  2. CailyD.
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    Judging from what they play in clubs these days, I'd say this album is tremendously underrated. I've never felt more like dancing Judging from what they play in clubs these days, I'd say this album is tremendously underrated. I've never felt more like dancing than when this album is on. I can't explain it.… Expand
  4. michaelR
    Aug 1, 2009
    9
    The songs on this album have an amazing abilty to pump me up. It helps me in the gym.
  5. WesM.
    Sep 3, 2008
    8
    Uniformly strong if not consistently groundbreaking dancehall.
  6. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    4
    Avoid shows by the Bug, they're awful. There's not any meaning to the many colors in this music, like any real abstraction is lost. When theAvoid shows by the Bug, they're awful. There's not any meaning to the many colors in this music, like any real abstraction is lost. When the Bug clicks away that is good night to Irene, and others, and it just sounds awful. When the Bug grinds what does it matter any more? The Bug's music completely lacks eloquence of any kind.… Expand
  7. PaulC.
    Sep 1, 2008
    3
    One of the examples of how metacritic's overall ranking system needs to be re-tooled. Perhaps this album is the greatest dubstep album One of the examples of how metacritic's overall ranking system needs to be re-tooled. Perhaps this album is the greatest dubstep album ever, but the second or first best album of 2008? Not ever.… Expand
  8. JamesM.
    Sep 20, 2008
    0
    This album is awful. I could no listen to it more then once.

See all 35 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2008
50
#50 Most Discussed Album of 2008
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2008