Never Were the Way She Was
by Colin Stetson
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
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  1. Custom_Concerns
    May 14, 2015
    7
    For someone with little to no experience with classical or neo-classical music, Never Were the Way She Was strikes me as an interesting record. The chilling, surreal soundscapes these two musicians create with a violin, a saxophone, and occasional vocals are unique and unexpectedly addictive. I found this to be a very interesting album, particularly on an instrumental level.
  2. agoverningfrost
    Jul 26, 2015
    9
    Might as well be the most interesting album of the year. Colin Stetson's clean technique and solid performance, alongside Sarah Neufeld's exotic violin experiments are just magnificent and absorbing. It's a sonically adventurous record, without looking for too much attention. Just enough to keep the listener alert.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. PopMatters
    Jun 3, 2015
    80
    The result is as wild and craggy as we could hope.
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  2. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    80
    A dense dream dialogue. [Jun 2015, p.96]
  3. PopMatters
    May 20, 2015
    80
    Never Were the Way She Was finds these two highly skilled artists operating at the top of their respective games and is a welcome addition to the experimental minimalist end of the contemporary classical landscape.
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