Mumps, Etc.
by Why?
  • Record Label: Anticon
  • Release Date: Oct 9, 2012
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
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  1. AllMusic
    Oct 25, 2012
    90
    Wolf is as honest and, in a greater sense, as generous a songwriter as we have, and Mumps, Etc. may be his finest gift yet.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 8, 2012
    70
    It critically casts an eye over Wolf's public persona.
  3. Under The Radar
    Oct 5, 2012
    65
    Mumps, etc. misses out on the engrossing atmospheres the last two albums had, and its best track, "Sod in the Seed," is a holdover from the recent EP of the same name, but there's enough here to more than make up for their last few years of radio silence.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 5, 2012
    90
    Mumps, etc. simultaneously feels like a fresh start and consolidation for the band; it encapsulates what makes them so unique while subtly expanding and pushing forward their sound, and as such must be viewed a real triumph.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Oct 9, 2012
    67
    Metaphors are short-lived and abstract, and Wolf spends lots of time philosophizing or generalizing.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Oct 5, 2012
    70
    Mumps, Etc. is an assured, thematically united set.
  8. DIY Magazine
    Oct 8, 2012
    80
    WHY? have always been an acquired taste but anyone with a shred of interest in Yoni Wolf's idiosyncratic talents will find much to savour on a very impressive return.
  9. No Ripcord
    Oct 23, 2012
    70
    For many reasons it is confused, self-absorbed, remarkably gauche. It is so often an intentionally uncomfortable thing to listen to... [yet] intriguing.
  10. Magnet
    Oct 10, 2012
    80
    Crisper and cleaner than any previous Why? musing, Mumps Etc. is chamber hop for people who buy every remastered reissue of Pet Sounds. [No. 92, p.60]
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  11. The Quietus
    Oct 17, 2012
    70
    While we often expect clarity of thought from our favourite lyricists, Wolf's admission that he doesn't hold all the answers makes these songs all the more relatable and poignant.
  12. Filter
    Oct 17, 2012
    62
    It's disjointed, but somehow held together by Wolf's honestly and sometimes-brilliant turns of phrases.
  13. Beats Per Minute
    Oct 5, 2012
    78
    Mumps takes a little while to sink in in a different way to previous albums.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Nidmunch
    Oct 9, 2012
    9
    I don't want to sound like a total pedant, but Ian Cohen has bashed out this sort of "review" before (his hatchet-job of FOTL comes to mind),I don't want to sound like a total pedant, but Ian Cohen has bashed out this sort of "review" before (his hatchet-job of FOTL comes to mind), so just ignore his opinion when it oozes onto this site. Mumps, etc itself though - bloody great. Lyrically engaging, musically accomplished and brilliantly sequenced, I find it to be a more than worthy addition to the Why? catalogue.… Full Review »
  2. Cityofgiants
    Oct 9, 2012
    9
    This album kills it. I really kind of expected this album to be the sound we'd hear after Alopecia. Definitely one of the most listenable Why?This album kills it. I really kind of expected this album to be the sound we'd hear after Alopecia. Definitely one of the most listenable Why? albums for me. Everyone is doing their thing so well, and there are so many fun and surprising moments. Nice one.… Full Review »
  3. Buenhombre26
    Nov 6, 2012
    6
    The first tracks were more or less forgettable, regrettably, but I did enjoy the bit of spunk in Johnathan's Hope, Strawberries and Sod in theThe first tracks were more or less forgettable, regrettably, but I did enjoy the bit of spunk in Johnathan's Hope, Strawberries and Sod in the Seed, though not enough for more than five or six listens. Most of the choruses, much like many of the songs, on this album sound pretty strained or are simply not that good, especially when they try to sound catchy. Despite all this, I really enjoyed of the second half of the album, except for Thirst which I thought was lyrically bad and, once again, had a bad chorus. Kevin's Cancer and Distance both sound like what the first half of the album could have been and should have been; more refined, sharper instrumentals and overall better production. Finally, I LOVED the closing three tracks on this album Bitter Thoughts, Paper Hearts, and As A Card all sounded like Elephant Eyelash grade hip-hop with that dark touch that I loved in Alopecia.… Full Review »
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