Now You Know
by Doug Martsch
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    80
    When he sticks with the slide guitar, Martsch's combination of downhome blues and meandering indie-rock is a winning one.
  2. Pitchfork
    73
    Martsch continues the sub-greatness trend of his recent work, releasing another record that fails to carry the weight of the canonical two-fer that lies at the center of his career.
  3. PopMatters
    80
    Now You Know has the same quiet majesty that drew music fans to Built to Spill in the first place.
  5. Mojo
    70
    Consider this a Zen disc: sit with it awhile, and it will come to you. [Nov 2002, p.105]
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  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    A disc of bare-bones folk blues that recalls O Brother, Where Art Thou? more than anything by Martsch's band.
  7. The A.V. Club
    50
    Duds and semi-duds aside, Now You Know holds together okay, with plenty of high points, mostly huddled together in the first half.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Who would have guessed Martsch could make something his own while employing such an overcopied sound? [20 Sep 2002, p.106]
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  9. Magnet
    80
    A beautifully dark masterpiece. [#56, p.99]
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  10. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Now You Know is most definitely a departure, but the source is completely, wonderfully recognizable.
  11. Blender
    60
    A handful of affectionate Neil Young pastiches, a rocked-up hymn, and some tipsily swaying ballads. [#10, p.122]
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  12. Billboard
    80
    The aptly titled "Now You Know" shouldn't be perceived as the end of Martsch's indie rock affiliation, but the sound of an artist delving deeper, and in doing so, hitting his stride.
  13. Stylus Magazine
    67
    While Ancient Melodies worked boring, repetitive structures into Martsch’s typically simple song structures, Now You Know brings new life to them. Unfortunately, this album is nowhere near as good as Built to Spill’s previous works.
  14. E! Online
    75
    Now You Know is full of the stuff BTS fans love: angular melodies, expansive nods to prog-rock and that droning, nasally voice that makes indie-rock geeks stand up and cheer.
  15. Neumu.net
    80
    His best work since 1997's Built to Spill album, Perfect From Now On.
  16. Almost Cool
    70
    Because this is a more personal affair, your tolerance for this release will largely depend on your acceptance of Martsch's voice.
  17. Launch.com
    80
    Much to alarmist indie-rockers everywhere, Martsch has been making his fondness for classic rock--and Neil Young, in particular--more pronounced with each release. Now, he goes one deeper, following the Young vibe into his own world of introspective weirdness.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. KatrinaM
    Jan 10, 2003
    9
    Now You Know is an inspiring creation. I would expect nothing less from Doug Martsch.
  2. Bryan
    Oct 9, 2002
    9
    Doug never fails to amaze me
  3. ChristopherN.
    Oct 8, 2002
    9
    A great album, clearly Martsch is expanding on his ambitions here. Bluesy and down-straight slide guitar riffs are entertaining and dynamic A great album, clearly Martsch is expanding on his ambitions here. Bluesy and down-straight slide guitar riffs are entertaining and dynamic enough to keep the album fresh and interesting.… Full Review »
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