• Record Label: Partisan
  • Release Date: Mar 1, 2011
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. the doting Vasquez love song "Blue Eyes," the lyrical Dawes lost song "Thanks for Nothing," and the clippety-clopping Replacements road song "Portland" all augment the deep craft and acrid wordplay of the guy who's why you heard them‑-in fact, who's why you heard this varied, consistent, tune-conscious album.
  2. Mar 14, 2011
    83
    Typical for a "supergroup," Middle Brother sounds more like a collection of strong musical personalities crowded into the same space than an actual band on its charmingly ragged, self-titled debut.
  3. 80
    Middle Brother is a prediction of great things to come. It's a promise that a new generation of songwriters is rising up to carry and brilliantly build on the tradition.
  4. Dec 7, 2011
    70
    Its members share a similar sensibility, so that, although they alternate selections as if participating in a song pull, the album holds together in the same spirit... the familiar one of the drunken slacker full of gallows humor, and the folk and folk-rock music, appropriately, is played in ramshackle, thrown-together arrangements.
  5. Mar 14, 2011
    70
    The rollicking self-titled album born of this boozy alliance is somehow far more satisfying than has the right to be.
  6. Mar 14, 2011
    70
    Half the songs on Middle Brother involve drinking and the rest hangovers of the heart, and on Paul Westerberg's "Portland," everyone chimes in on the line "It's too late to turn back, here we gooooo" - they're certain of trouble ahead, and relishing it.
  7. Mar 17, 2011
    67
    While all three songwriters shine, the most compelling aspect of these recordings lies in the effectiveness of the shading that each adds to the others' tunes.
  8. Apr 7, 2011
    60
    Middle Brother is nothing revolutionary, but it is an enjoyable throwback to the good ol' days of classic Southern living.
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Apr 22, 2011
    9
    this is simply put, a fun record to listen to - from start to finish. it has got sing along melodies, creative harmonies, sharp wit andthis is simply put, a fun record to listen to - from start to finish. it has got sing along melodies, creative harmonies, sharp wit and excellent songwriting. what's not to like? Full Review »