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Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes
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Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: Julian Koster used a variety of antique and unusual recorders to achieve his unique sounds.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Unless you’re already a Music Tapes fan, chances are you haven’t experienced anything quite as exquisitely raw, effortlessly transportive, and charmingly distinct in a long time.
  2. cokemachineglow
    83
    The best songs on Music Tapes For Clouds And Tornados feature just Julian and banjo.
  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    At the core of them all is Koster's invested, angelic voice and his singing saw.
  4. Dusted Magazine
    80
    Clouds and Tornadoes ricochets back and forth between these three levels: the familiar, the unfamiliar but recognizable, and the unfamiliar and unrecognizable, and like Maddin and Katchor, it’s this tripartite feeling that gives the music its uniqueness while still feeling like an unearthed artifact.
  5. 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.
  6. Pitchfork
    79
    These 15 tracks were certainly worth the almost-decade-long wait.
  7. NOW Magazine
    60
    The record has a strong holiday flavour, so if you’re the type who gets nauseated by reindeer talk in March, maybe wait till December to play this.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. DannyN.
    Sep 15, 2008
    9
    This is a great album.
  2. Kevin
    Sep 12, 2008
    5
    While "Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes" is a charming, unique musical romp, I can't see what the critics found so appealing. Some of While "Music Tapes for Clouds & Tornadoes" is a charming, unique musical romp, I can't see what the critics found so appealing. Some of the songs are brilliant, but the album lacks variety and thus falls short.… Expand
  4. DevinW.
    Nov 23, 2008
    3
    Trading in cutesy gimmicks - Unconventional instruments! Strange recording practices! - rather than song craft or any real ability, For 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.… Collapse

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2008