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Monsters Of Folk Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut album for the band formed by Conor Oberst, Jim James, Mike Mogis, and M. Ward.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Monsters Of Folk is a real pleasure, full of songs that are loose, catchy and likeable.
  2. A mammoth 15-song package, MoF--despite occasional moments of country chugging--showcases the best of the four men's talents and influences.
  3. Mojo
    80
    This record is way better than we had any right to expect. [Oct 2009, p.99]
  4. It's more jaunty nouveau Traveling Wilburys than folk rock summit as Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, My Morning Jacket's Jim James and M Ward join forces.
  5. The players on Monsters of Folk complement each other extremely well. There is definitely something to be said for group chemistry. These songs don’t always shine the way they could, but the album is a great effort.
  6. 70
    This is not the story of lost faith that these thematic bookends seem to augur, but rather just a bunch of really good songs that have relatively little to do with each other.
  7. There’s no sense of cohesion or flow between any of these songs, partially due to a clear lack of thought devoted to these conceits, but mostly because every M. Ward- and Conor Oberst-penned song sounds the same lately.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. DesB.
    Nov 15, 2009
    10
    I love this album. It's the first that has truly captivated my heart and mind in quite some time. I am grateful for that.
  2. mihaelv
    Sep 25, 2009
    10
    One of the best albums of the year so far.
  3. DerrickH
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Amazing album.
  4. BradP
    Sep 23, 2009
    9
    This album works for me. Beautifully produced, it really allows each artist to do what they do in a different way. It sounds like they really This album works for me. Beautifully produced, it really allows each artist to do what they do in a different way. It sounds like they really enjoyed what they each heard. It has a slower middle section, and that is a plus in my book - I am not a fan of Pitchfork reviews! Expand
  5. KurtC
    Sep 28, 2009
    9
    Refreshingly great album. Lots of nice hooks and melodies that linger and bring you back. A must for any fan of MMJ, Bright Eyes, or M. Ward. Refreshingly great album. Lots of nice hooks and melodies that linger and bring you back. A must for any fan of MMJ, Bright Eyes, or M. Ward. They all do a superb job of working together to craft some really excellent songs based on everyone's strengths. This has entered very near the top of the list for my favorite album of the year so far. Expand
  6. DavidS
    Sep 24, 2009
    9
    Nice album... You hear the individual members sounds in the songs yet it somehow takes on a different feel, as it should.
  7. scottw
    Oct 15, 2009
    7
    Great, but Conor Oberst and M. Ward really overshadow everyone and drag it down to murky, mid tempo rock, like the new Son Volt album. Needed Great, but Conor Oberst and M. Ward really overshadow everyone and drag it down to murky, mid tempo rock, like the new Son Volt album. Needed more Jim James and certainly more of the magnificent guitar work Mike Mogis is known for. Collapse

See all 22 User Reviews