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Love's Crushing Diamond Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for solo project for Brooklyn-based Jordan Lee was recorded while the singer-songwriter toured across the US.
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  • Record Label: Other Music Recording Company
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Indie Folk
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. 90
    Lee’s lyrics are sometimes sentimental to the point of potentially seeming trite, but they’re logical for a situation where love and pain have become so overwhelming that simple statements seem the most trustworthy.
  2. Dec 3, 2013
    90
    It is minimalist yet lush, hopeful yet rooted in a stark and sometimes grim reality.
  3. Dec 3, 2013
    85
    [A] collection of seven gorgeous, baroque-folk songs.
  4. 80
    Like the tightrope act of love itself, Love’s Crushing Diamond perseveres through calculated effort never to offend or betray the trust of its betrothed listener.
  5. Maybe now he can sleep a little less on floors and spend more time making gorgeous albums like this. Please.
  6. Jan 13, 2014
    80
    Mutual Benefit isn't afraid to be hokey and direct, and in a music environment that can sometimes value cool detachment and perfection a little too much, music like this might be needed more than anyone knows.
  7. Dec 12, 2013
    60
    The record is full of earnest female backup vocals and frequent reminders (like wind chimes all over the place) that the music is homemade. Yet like a lot of modern folk, the songwriting sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Dec 30, 2013
    10
    This is a Top 10 album in 2013 for me. I found it therapeutic and spiritual. Slow ethereal songs are bountiful in indie music these days,This is a Top 10 album in 2013 for me. I found it therapeutic and spiritual. Slow ethereal songs are bountiful in indie music these days, but few have taken it to this level in terms of melody and verse. It sounds a bit like Iron and Wine's Shepard Dog, but more patient. Expand
  2. Dec 7, 2013
    9
    God, this album is good. The only problem it's too short. But, you can go to Mutual Benefit's bandcamp site and download all of his olderGod, this album is good. The only problem it's too short. But, you can go to Mutual Benefit's bandcamp site and download all of his older stuff for whatever price you like. But anyway, Advanced Falconry is a particularly amazing track, but the whole album just blends together it's as if you're listening to one long, gorgeous song. Expand
  3. Dec 4, 2013
    8
    Unexpectedly good. It's been some time since i listened to a good indie album. At least the kind that makes you get soaked in. So this was aUnexpectedly good. It's been some time since i listened to a good indie album. At least the kind that makes you get soaked in. So this was a breath of fresh air. Collapse
  4. Dec 4, 2013
    6
    I was excited to give this album a listen after all the hype it received, but it ended up being a little too mellow for me. I found it dull.I was excited to give this album a listen after all the hype it received, but it ended up being a little too mellow for me. I found it dull. Perhaps it's just not my type of genre. Expand