Melophobia
by Cage the Elephant
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 8, 2013
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 14, 2014
    80
    Their [stardom] has been a slow rise. The ascent continues apace. [Mar 2014, p.108]
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  2. Clash Music
    Feb 6, 2014
    70
    The result is a compelling exercise in growth.
  3. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2014
    80
    While the familiar swagger is present and correct both in the Bowie-influenced "Spiderhead" and the crackling "It's Just Forever," these moments are leavened by quieter, more reflective tracks such as "Hypocrite." [Mar 2014, p.72]
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  5. AllMusic
    Oct 17, 2013
    80
    Melophobia is a thoroughly modern rock record, where all the past is alive in the present, so if you've ever had affection for any alt-rock sound from the '80s through the 2000s, it's hard not to find something to enjoy here.
  6. Consequence
    Oct 10, 2013
    70
    Cage the Elephant sound bigger and more polished here, but it’s Shultz’s lyrics that have grown up the most.
  7. Paste Magazine
    Oct 8, 2013
    80
    Propulsive choruses, a musical cacophony that whirls and a melodic sense that secedes nothing to the rhythms, the scrappy quintet’s third album is a focused, frenzied affair.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Oct 8, 2013
    70
    There's a freaky encounter with a spaceman ("Telescope") and a dance-party rager about a wicked girl ("Black Widow"), but the whole thing vibrates with hopped-up discovery.
  9. musicOMH.com
    Oct 8, 2013
    80
    While that development may take some by surprise, Melophobia finally sees Cage The Elephant realise their full potential.
  10. Alternative Press
    Oct 8, 2013
    70
    The resulting album is, at its best, ambitious and teeming with ideas and, at worst, one heck of a mish-mash of sounds.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 8, 2013
    75
    On Melophobia they're in a class of their own among big, unit-shifting rock bands who can play with the scrap and imagination of van-tour vermin.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2013
53
#53 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 113
  3. Negative: 5 out of 113
  1. CagingGunnerGus
    Feb 13, 2014
    10
    Cage The Elephant always surprises me. On their third studio album they did nothing but surprise me. They showed their range by testing theCage The Elephant always surprises me. On their third studio album they did nothing but surprise me. They showed their range by testing the waters of retro music, horn sections, hard to sing vocals, delicate instrumentation, and beautiful lyrics. Lincoln Parish (lead guitarist) was genius on almost every track, without the little touch of guitar magic Come a little closer wouldn't have been worth it. The Schultz brothers both delivered with a lot of passion, the vocals were soft but raw in a way. the back up guitars were distorted in a very tasteful way. The bassist Daniel was specially impressive in the intro of the song Teeth, and of course the very memorable bass line in Come a little closer. and last but not least the very creative drumming of Jared in the song Hypocrite. over all the album was structured in a perfect way I'd say, whenever you felt you were listening to a very soft and delicate album they threw a funky/aggressive song at you. the best example is after listening to Come a little closer and Telescope, you are in a very calm mood and BAM! they put in It's just forever a very upbeat cleverly placed song. And I found it to be very tasteful of their part to finish such an experimental and intricate album with such a delicate and simple song like Cigarette Daydreams. over all it was a very creative piece of work, that truly pushed Cage the elephant's boundries.… Full Review »
  2. MBMulkey
    May 17, 2014
    10
    I really liked this album and even consider it to be the best album of 2013 (but that's just my opinion). Cage the Elephant has been myI really liked this album and even consider it to be the best album of 2013 (but that's just my opinion). Cage the Elephant has been my favorite band ever since I picked up their second, and my favorite, album "Thank You, Happy Birthday." While I believe Melophobia is the worst album they've released, I still thought it was a great album. It took a different turn from the garage punk sound, and made it a more classic indie thing. While a lot of CtE fans may be a little disappointed with it, I still thought it was absolutely wonderful!… Full Review »
  3. Quacke
    Feb 13, 2014
    9
    I have been a fan of CtE ever since I heard their ,,Ain't no rest for the wicked" while playing Borderlands. Then fell in love again when II have been a fan of CtE ever since I heard their ,,Ain't no rest for the wicked" while playing Borderlands. Then fell in love again when I heard Aberdeen in a shop. That was the moment when I checked their discography. I like every song on their first album and almost every one on "Thank you Happy Birthday". But "Melophobia" Is my favourite. It has many more strong points than the previous ones. At first I was like "No, it's not their music" but now I must say that it's more their than ever before. All the songs are musically full and have some nice flavors. Matt's voice is fill of personality. Nothing to add.… Full Review »
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