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Now You Know
by
Now You Know Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The man behind Built to Spill issues his first album under his own name, with a more acoustic, stripped-down, blues-influenced sound than you'll find on his BTS albums.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Who would have guessed Martsch could make something his own while employing such an overcopied sound? [20 Sep 2002, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. 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.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    When he sticks with the slide guitar, Martsch's combination of downhome blues and meandering indie-rock is a winning one.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  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.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. S.E.Johnson
    Oct 3, 2002
    10
    If Robert Plant played Appalachian folk tunes, it would probably sound like this.
  2. PhilP.
    Sep 22, 2002
    10
    It has a neat sound.
  4. 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.… Expand
  5. KatrinaM
    Jan 10, 2003
    9
    Now You Know is an inspiring creation. I would expect nothing less from Doug Martsch.
  6. Bryan
    Oct 9, 2002
    9
    Doug never fails to amaze me