Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes
by The Music Tapes
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Aug 19, 2008
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 5 out of 19

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  1. DevinW.
    Nov 23, 2008
    3
    Trading in cutesy gimmicks - Unconventional instruments! Strange recording practices! - rather than song craft or any real ability, For Clouds and Tornadoes loses itself in its elaborate conception. Strip away that gimmickry, and you get a weak voice singing songs that are often extremely grating. Gigantic metronomes and old wax cylinders do not a good album - or even a half-way competent Trading in cutesy gimmicks - Unconventional instruments! Strange recording practices! - rather than song craft or any real ability, For Clouds and Tornadoes loses itself in its elaborate conception. Strip away that gimmickry, and you get a weak voice singing songs that are often extremely grating. Gigantic metronomes and old wax cylinders do not a good album - or even a half-way competent album - make.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. No Ripcord
    80
    All told, For Clouds and Tornadoes is a quality release from a musician that's not afraid to explore outside the usual methods to create extraordinary music.
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  2. Pitchfork
    79
    These 15 tracks were certainly worth the almost-decade-long wait.
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  3. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Koster's ability to create charmingly imaginative song cycles out of instruments you might find in your grandparent's attic has granted him a fan base that has waited nearly a decade for his sophomore release. It was worth the wait.
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