Me First
by The Elected
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Feb 3, 2004
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    It's a thing of subversive beauty, a striking debut that's self-assured and captivating. [Mar 2004, p.104]
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  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    The poetry of pain is so strong, and mixed with superbly produced music that doesn’t take a nanosecond for granted.
  3. Spin
    83
    Like a Postal Service for hippies living off the grid. [May 2004, p.108]
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  5. Logo
    80
    It’s ridiculously eclectic, yet uniformly affecting; a winter warmer that moves with a mysterious grace.
  6. Pitchfork
    80
    Me First proves to be a remarkably consistent and memorable listen.
  7. The A.V. Club
    80
    Sennett twists and turns his songwriting more when he's alone than he does with Rilo Kiley, and while playing spot-the-influences isn't hard... it's also pointless in light of the album's genuine warmth.
  8. Splendid
    80
    A discernibly West Coast-influenced affair, it's an album of anecdotal moments set to a glorious country-rock backdrop: graciously sun-kissed melodies, vocal harmonies, neat arrangements and refreshing, varied instrumentation.
  9. Stylus Magazine
    80
    He may not be the first to mix the bucolic with the mechanic, and God knows he won’t be the last, but here all the symptoms of overexposure sink under the unassuming grace of his gifts.
  10. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    The mournful harmonies and orchestral sweetening on some tracks... spread a seductively decadent sheen over the oddly uplifting proceedings. [27 Feb 2004, p.98]
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  11. The New York Times
    70
    "Me First" may not be greater than the sum of its parts, but it certainly is equal to them, which is a lot. [1 Mar 2004]
  12. PopMatters
    70
    The overall sonic experiment succeeds, but the songs never quite attain the level of some of the band's influences.
  13. Neumu.net
    70
    Me First is a Sunday record, a rainy-day record, a home-alone record, a lying-on-the-floor, staring-at-the-ceiling record.
  14. Blender
    70
    A casual, mostly charming sketchbook of diffident alt-country laments. [Mar 2004, p.116]
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  15. Uncut
    70
    Addresses the stained beauty of all things LA via psychedelic washes of keys, honking sax and country stomp. [May 2004, p.100]
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Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. merriamwebster
    Aug 25, 2004
    10
    one word awesome
  2. johnM
    Jun 9, 2004
    9
    A great album.
  3. bearcrash
    Jun 7, 2004
    10
    the entire album is amazing. every single track is beautiful. im in love.
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