Lupercalia - Patrick Wolf
Lupercalia Image
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

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  • Summary: The British singer-songwriter's latest album was supposed to be a part of a double album titled Battle. It was later announced that it would be split into two releases, 2009's The Conqueror and this release.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Slant Magazine
    Jun 20, 2011
    90
    The fact that Wolf stands little chance of displacing Rihanna or Adele shouldn't preempt our appreciation of what he's accomplished with this album, which is to shake off his unseemly solipsism and turn out his most catchy and engaging batch of songs in one concise effort.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jun 20, 2011
    80
    On his fifth album, he seizes the mainstream jugular with a lushly romantic, brightly orchestrated and delightfully optimistic collection of epic love songs.
  3. All Music Guide
    Dec 9, 2011
    80
    Lupercalia's highly melodic but still resolutely exuberant nature indicates that Wolf's newfound positive outlook on life definitely seems to suit him.
  4. PopMatters
    Jun 27, 2011
    60
    In the end Lupercalia feels like a summer fling, and why settle for that when you can have something perennial?

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Rebel1
    7
    Patrick Wolf is in love, and that's not a bad thing, however, it's has made for a very different album from him than we're used to. Regardless, this is a great, polished, catchy pop album and his vocals are spot on. The reason I'm giving this a 7, which is by no means negative, is that the turmoil isn't here, which Mr. Wolf has provided effortlessly over the years that's made for some dark music that grows on the listener over time. Not to mention a dedicated fan base. "Time of my Life" is the stand out track here, and sure enough, the only one that's melancholy. There are definitely other stand out's such as "House", "Together" and "The City", which are pop songs at their best, filled with expressions of love that are hands down lyrically and musically more intricate than the average top 40 artist. Kudos to him for tackling the main stream from a different angle and giving us a very listenable, pleasant album to add to his catalog. That said, I'm looking forward to the break up album.… Collapse

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