Noise Floor (Rarities 1998-2005)
by Bright Eyes
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    These B sides and studio ephemera, by turns folksy and noisy, demonstrate his appeal. [27 Oct 2006, p.73]
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  2. Prefix Magazine
    75
    This album works adequately, maybe exclusively, within the folds of Bright Eyes' self-contained space, and that's really not such a bad thing.
  3. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Noise Floor is a smattering of moods and modes all tied together by Oberst’s love-it-or-loathe-it voice.
  5. Blender
    70
    This orderly collection of messy leftovers suits his disheveled talents. [Nov 2006, p.137]
  6. Drowned In Sound
    70
    On the whole, Noise Floor is a fascinating concoction of delights that documents the rise of one of underground USA's most prestigious talents.
  7. Under The Radar
    70
    Half of the fun of this collection is watching Oberst working out his dead ends. [#15]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Each tune is utterly lovely in its own right, but--my God--are they depressing. [7 Oct 2006, p.39]
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  9. AllMusic
    70
    This captures a less self-conscious Oberst, which is often a better Oberst.
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    Several of these [tracks] match Oberst's best work.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    67
    It has some nice tracks, some experiments and more than a few keepers, and, yes, it’s almost exclusively a fan-only proposition.
  12. Pitchfork
    64
    While the album isn't arranged chronologically, listening to it as such reveals the series of intuitive leaps between lo-fi bedroom folk that emphasized monotonous gloom and cacophonous samples to comparatively laid-back country biased toward majestic arrangements and electronic beats.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. coregaming
    Oct 1, 2013
    10
    I really can't believe this is a B-sides album. I absolutely love Bright Eyes and everything else Conor has done but this is my favorite albumI really can't believe this is a B-sides album. I absolutely love Bright Eyes and everything else Conor has done but this is my favorite album by far. The songs are all so different but still flow so well together. A hauntingly beautiful CD.… Full Review »
  2. drewc
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    these are b-sides??? there are a couple duds (mainly the earliest stuff) but i think very few artists can create non-album tracks this good. these are b-sides??? there are a couple duds (mainly the earliest stuff) but i think very few artists can create non-album tracks this good. his song writing amazes me!… Full Review »
  3. JeremyF
    Apr 12, 2007
    6
    Not his best, but a few fantastic songs. um... yeah, Kevin. Bryan Adams is a great example. And Isobel Campbell... two in one year. Both exceptional.
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