• Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Sep 9, 2008
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. As it is, Now or Heaven is good enough but too derivative and uneven to be seen as anything other than a mild disappointment.
  2. Under The Radar
    60
    There are some strong moments, especially 'Gwen, Now And then,' 'Auctioneer,' and 'Perfect Game,' but those high points are surrounded largely by filler. [Fall 2008, p.79]
  3. 60
    They're never slavish imitators, and when they goose the velocity--those comparisons gradually fade into classic, shimmery guitar pop. [Nov 2008, p.88]
  4. Given the far sunnier cast of the group's debut, it's fair to say Now or Heaven is a document of growing pains.
  5. The biggest problem for the Broken West may be that in polishing up their sound they’ve emerged sounding like a wannabe Coldplay.
  6. Maybe Now or Heaven isn’t an awful record, but it’s certainly one that strips away everything I felt was compelling about the band to begin with.

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