User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17

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  1. LyleS
    Mar 13, 2009
    3
    Cursive has been on a gradual decline since their fourth album The Ugly Organ. Kashir has become more obnoxious with his sexual issues and less vulnerable which has eliminated the endearing quality of the lyrics. Ultimately, especially for any long time fan, this album is boring - like a friend who only calls to talk about the same issues over and over again. We get it Tim - you have a Cursive has been on a gradual decline since their fourth album The Ugly Organ. Kashir has become more obnoxious with his sexual issues and less vulnerable which has eliminated the endearing quality of the lyrics. Ultimately, especially for any long time fan, this album is boring - like a friend who only calls to talk about the same issues over and over again. We get it Tim - you have a love/hate relationship with sex, suburbia, and religion. You can't live with them and can't live without them. We heard that loud and clear six years ago and your message has been getting repetitious. Oh, and the music sucks too. Expand
  2. beaus
    Mar 14, 2009
    9
    Critics... you envy the creative genius that is cursive thats why you are writing words and not creating music like the people you review. You know nothing.
  3. JesseT
    Mar 17, 2009
    10
    I am a long time fan of Cursive and I think this album is excellent.
  4. Jun 26, 2019
    0
    idk porque las personas no le dan tan buena puntuacion.... esta bien trabajado esto
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Where experimentation with layered instruments enhanced the grandness of "Happy Hollow," here it's taken one step overboard with additional flute, clarinets, and violin arrangements added on top of the supplementary horn section, to the point of making this their lightest, earthiest release to date.
  2. Lyrically, frontman Tim Kasher never misses a step (see the men-as-animals 'From the Hips' and 'Donkeys'), proving once again why he's among indie rock's greats.
  3. Wracked with doubt, contradiction and existential despair, Mama, I’m Swollen strikes out as a weighty, superbly realised endeavour which, for all its oppressive nature, is as eminently listenable and brave an album as any the band have produced.