Long Gone Before Daylight
by The Cardigans
  • Record Label: Koch
  • Release Date: May 25, 2004
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Amazon.com
    90
    Persson, the finest pop lyricist working today, is on peak form while the band's back-to-roots grand piano and grander acoustic guitars provide an appropriately magnificent backing.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Persson's tender voice, coupled with the Cardigans' welcome desire to explore new musical territory, allows this once-fizzy group to pull off a sultry coup. [28 May 2004, p.124]
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  3. Mojo
    80
    Deep, mournful, impressive. [Apr 2004, p.99]
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  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    The band's best album yet - which is to say that it contains considerably more than three good songs.
  6. Pitchfork
    65
    Their slickest and most formulaic pop constructions to date.
  7. Planet
    80
    The new Cardigans still write great pop songs, except now the music resonates with substance and meaning. [#7, p.72]
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  8. Splendid
    80
    A sensitive, fully mature contribution to the pop music lexicon, it proves that, like the rare child actor who actually works well into adulthood, The Cardigans have weathered a difficult transition.
  9. The Guardian
    80
    The electronics of Gran Turismo has been supplanted by an organic sound with countryish overtones (see Live and Learn) that suits Persson's melancholy lyrics.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27
  1. Ricko
    Apr 12, 2020
    7
    Growing up in the 90's, The Cardigans were always on my radar. Outside of their global superhits, I was aware of many of the band's singlesGrowing up in the 90's, The Cardigans were always on my radar. Outside of their global superhits, I was aware of many of the band's singles but only recently listened to an actual album of theirs after a friend recommended "Long Gone Before Daylight". It's certainly not what I expected in that it is quite mellow and mature sounding, leaning closer to country and folk although it still undeniably has pop roots. The album has an exquisite vocal performance, the recording and production are slick and lend themselves well to the grand nature of the songs. All 11 songs are worthy of their place and sound better with repeated listening which is always a very good sign. Despite it's melancholic air, it's an album full of catchy choruses and melodic verses.… Full Review »
  2. JeebsV
    Jan 11, 2007
    10
    A more mature yet great cardigans album
  3. MarkC
    Oct 27, 2005
    10
    Probably there best album even better than Gran Turismo (and i thought that was a great album) I think they matured a bit with this one Probably there best album even better than Gran Turismo (and i thought that was a great album) I think they matured a bit with this one lovely melodies and lovely lyrics when you listen it really gets to you makes you think but not all songs are mellow there a some great upbeat guitars tracks included aswell. Definately Buy it. This is a band that is so underestimated by the media and radio stations its as if they have been cast a side. THE CARIDIGANS Probably the Best Thing to Come out of Sweden for Ages… Full Review »
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