• Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2012
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Negative: 1 out of 31
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  1. Sep 4, 2012
    9
    On his first outing since 2010 breakthrough Before Today and first album of all new material in years, LA's Ariel Pink has proven himself a compelling songwriter currently carrying the outsider music torch once held by Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits. While not necessarily a breathtaking knockout like Before Today, Mature Themes is a fantastic work of art void of any dull moments. EvenOn his first outing since 2010 breakthrough Before Today and first album of all new material in years, LA's Ariel Pink has proven himself a compelling songwriter currently carrying the outsider music torch once held by Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits. While not necessarily a breathtaking knockout like Before Today, Mature Themes is a fantastic work of art void of any dull moments. Even weaker tracks (not many here) are worth listening to based on interesting and at times bizarre songwriting and composition. High points include bookend tracks Kinski Assassin and Baby, single Only In My Dreams, the odd yet hard to forget Schnitzel Boogie, and the soft rock meets Elvis Costello pop gem title track. Expand
  2. Nov 29, 2021
    7
    On his first outing since 2010 breakthrough Before Today and first album of all new material in years, LA's Ariel Pink has proven himself a compelling songwriter currently carrying the outsider music torch once held by Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits. While not necessarily a breathtaking knockout like Before Today, Mature Themes is a fantastic work of art void of any dull moments. EvenOn his first outing since 2010 breakthrough Before Today and first album of all new material in years, LA's Ariel Pink has proven himself a compelling songwriter currently carrying the outsider music torch once held by Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits. While not necessarily a breathtaking knockout like Before Today, Mature Themes is a fantastic work of art void of any dull moments. Even weaker tracks (not many here) are worth listening to based on interesting and at times bizarre songwriting and composition. High points include bookend tracks Kinski Assassin and Baby, single Only In My Dreams, the odd yet hard to forget Schnitzel Boogie, and the soft rock meets Elvis Costello pop gem title Expand
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 37
  2. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. Mature my patootie--and that's a good thing.
  2. The Wire
    Oct 3, 2012
    80
    Ariel Pink's writing is completely scattergun, but this is what can make it so disarming. [Sep 2012, p.56]
  3. Sep 12, 2012
    80
    Listening to the album, the weirdness is never off-putting, and the pop elements don't feel like concessions to a wider audience.