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Mess
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Mess Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length release for the rock trio was produced by band member, Angus Andrew.
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Mess on a Mission
Cast out of culture Compound of patience Reel out rigor Trash the book, the film, fell face off I can't go long without assistance I can't go... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. musicOMH.com
    Mar 18, 2014
    100
    This is undoubtedly Liars’ most engaging work, and certainly the best Mute album since, well, WIXIW.
  2. Pretty Much Amazing
    Mar 25, 2014
    83
    As the trio continue to remould and refine their craft, Mess, an album fuelled by impulse, demonstrates their ideological core hasn’t moved an inch.
  3. Q Magazine
    Mar 14, 2014
    80
    Liars' untidy room remains a wonderful place to visit. [Apr 2014, p.113]
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  4. AllMusic
    Mar 28, 2014
    80
    Even if it's not quite as striking an achievement as WIXIW, it's a lot of fun and shows, once again, that Liars are unquestionably themselves no matter how much they push their boundaries.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Mar 25, 2014
    75
    More than anything, Mess is impactful commentary about the contemporary tendency to consume culture passively.
  6. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Mar 26, 2014
    70
    On Mess, surface is meaning, with the album’s vacuous hedonism merely another expression of the theme of spiritual oblivion that Liars have explored ever since their debut.
  7. Mojo
    Mar 21, 2014
    40
    Mess's crepuscular predecessor felt both more innovative, and more likely to open up Liars' demographic. [Apr 2014, p.92]
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See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AlexGonzSalsa
    Mar 27, 2014
    10
    More bombastic and confident than WIXIW, every song is an amazing experience to listen to. I don't get why critics aren't praising this albumMore bombastic and confident than WIXIW, every song is an amazing experience to listen to. I don't get why critics aren't praising this album more, it's so good I can see this album as being a gateway drug to the rest of the band's discography for new listeners.… Expand
  2. terrence0258
    Jun 24, 2014
    9
    This album is a perfect combination of unhinged and tranquil noise. It's like a pet bear: You feel safe most of the time but at any moment itThis album is a perfect combination of unhinged and tranquil noise. It's like a pet bear: You feel safe most of the time but at any moment it can maul your face off.… Expand
  4. TalentlessHack
    Jan 2, 2016
    9
    The most enjoyable dance rock/punk album that I've heard in recent years. I thought the band hit a creative peak with WIXIW, but I was wrong.The most enjoyable dance rock/punk album that I've heard in recent years. I thought the band hit a creative peak with WIXIW, but I was wrong.

    MESS is much more louder, eccentric and dirtier with it's production. With hard hitting drums and grooves on the opener "Mask Maker" and the pulsating beats on "Vox Tuned D.E.D.". The album also experiments with other sounds, like an EBM style beat on the track "Pro Anti Anti" and a three minute long instrumental track "Darkslide" that just adds layers on top of other layers over even more layers the further it progresses.

    The album also takes time to calm down a bit with tracks like "Dress Walker" and other tracks on the second half on the album. So it isn't a full on sonic beatdown from start to finish.

    Oh, the lead single "Mess On A Mission"....pure gold.

    What happens when you take WIXIW, turn it dirty, infuse it with crazy juice and structure the songs like LCD Soundsystem-esque dance records? You'll get MESS.

    Fav Tracks: Mask Maker, Vox Tuned D.E.D., Pro Anti Anti, Mess On A Mission
    Least Fave Track: Left Speaker Blown    … Expand
  5. rwkleinjr
    Mar 26, 2014
    9
    Perhaps the band's most natural progression yet, MESS sees them take what they learned while making WIXIW and get their hands a little dirtierPerhaps the band's most natural progression yet, MESS sees them take what they learned while making WIXIW and get their hands a little dirtier with it. The first four tracks are a dense punch in the face of high-powered electronica, which slows down a little bit as the album goes on and things get a bit darker. Liars' trademark sense of dread appears mostly on the second half of the album, yet it closes out on its lightest moment with Left Speaker Blown.

    The album itself may be a bit more of a grower than WIXIW was, but it's every bit as good. Yet another masterful collection of songs put out by this band.    … Expand
  6. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    8
    A lot of critic hate for this album for some reason, don't know why. The band continues to experiment here and it pays off pretty handsomely.A lot of critic hate for this album for some reason, don't know why. The band continues to experiment here and it pays off pretty handsomely. Incredibly bold, and does a great job of blending house music with a fusion of dance and experimental electronica.… Expand
  7. Cecil
    Mar 26, 2014
    5
    This is the least rewarding album in this band's discography. It's muddy and plodding in the first half, and thin on ideas in the second half.This is the least rewarding album in this band's discography. It's muddy and plodding in the first half, and thin on ideas in the second half. Mess on a Mission is barely more than OK, and it's the highlight of the album.… Expand