Monsoon
by Preston School Of Industry
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2004
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    60
    The glimmers of vitality lurking around the edges of the album tend to make it all the more frustrating -- just a few more distinctive songs would've gone a long way towards making this a really solid album instead of just an intermittently entertaining one.
  2. Blender
    40
    Even Monsoon’s best moments are marred by barely audible vocals and dull lyrical abstractions.
  3. Dot Music
    60
    Ultimately it makes you feel the loss of Pavement all the more.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    60
    It’s not as focused as it could’ve been, considering the freshness of the songs.
  6. Dusted Magazine
    50
    It's not really very interesting, bold or exciting, but neither is it ever objectionable.
  7. Junkmedia
    50
    It's not that Kannberg has somehow "sold out" with Preston School of Industry, but for the time being, he's clearly lost the urge to take good risks.
  8. Mojo
    50
    For all its country rockin' appeal, Monsoon lacks the emotional charge of its predecessor. [Feb 2004, p.98]
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  9. No Ripcord
    50
    There are two great tracks here, three solid ones, and five complete duds.
  10. Pitchfork
    50
    This album sounds like it was recorded and released as a favor from someone at the label. Truth is, the lighter that ignited All This Sounds Gas is long out of butane.
  11. Rolling Stone
    60
    Mellow, shambling rock.
  12. Splendid
    60
    There's far too much nondescript strumming and far too few meaningful hooks.
  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    During some of the more composed moments, the album manages to shine out in semi desolate wonder; but most of the time, Monsoon sounds too much like the Jonathan Richman two-piece band from There's Something About Mary to outrun the malaise of mediocrity that blankets it.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. BrianJ
    Mar 17, 2004
    6
    Monsoon is a rehash of their first album, All This Sounds Gas and that's not a bad thing either. Half the songs on here are good and the Monsoon is a rehash of their first album, All This Sounds Gas and that's not a bad thing either. Half the songs on here are good and the other half are just ok. The first four songs are great. Spiral has improved as a songwriter, but the weak songs drag out this album. Overall, you know that he can do better. … Full Review »