Ode To Sunshine
by Delta Spirit
  • Record Label: Rounder
  • Release Date: Aug 26, 2008
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    70
    The ex-Noise Ratchet founders shift to more rootsy territory with their new band, yielding impressive results.
  2. Prefix Magazine
    70
    Despite Delta Spirit’s anarchic (i.e., creatively opportunistic) sampling of everything from cold war folk to the Cold War Kids, when the band members hit their stride--as on the rumbling, locomotive grooves of piano-stung epic Americana on 'Trashcan'--Sunshine becomes nothing less than an ode to musical joy.
  3. Spin
    80
    Despite passing echoes of Spoon and Violent Femmes, Delta Spirit's rough barroom pop is its own creature, with jangly pianos, rattling drums, and scruffy acoustic guitars making a thrilling ruckus.
  5. The A.V. Club
    75
    Ode To Sunshine is brimming with gritty, staggering soul that floods the gap between the Stones' R&B-inflected early oeuvre and Cold War Kids' world-weary keening.
  6. Filter
    82
    Some songs are happy songs; some are sad, but the pure joy of melody shines through in every one. [Summer 2008, p.92]
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  7. Austin Chronicle
    67
    The piano-driven 'Trashcan,' bright and jovial 'House Built for Two,' and wobbly waltz of the title track accent Ode to Sunshine's 11 tunes, making it a pleasing debut from a band that should have an interesting future.
  8. PopMatters
    90
    What Ode to Sunshine really boils down to is excellent songwriting. And it only helps that the album’s pacing is fantastic and hardly ever drags.
  9. Uncut
    80
    Loose, raw, a bit funky, it illustrates the band's knack for creating new-but-classic-sounding songs and getting them down on disc with a sizzling live feel. [Aopr 2009, p.87]
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  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Their sound is timeworn and instantly familiar: the “set me free” chorus of ‘Streetwalker’ is pure Springsteen, while the honky-tonk of ‘Trashcan’ is classic Stones, made more remarkable by the sandpaper snarl of their frontman.
  11. Q Magazine
    80
    Rootsy San Diego five-piece Delta Spirit's debut is a thought provoking surprise. [Apr 2009, p.102]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Delta_Spirit
    Jan 30, 2011
    10
    Although my listening was warped, due to the fact that I was an idiot and listened to "History From Below" first, I truly enjoyed listening toAlthough my listening was warped, due to the fact that I was an idiot and listened to "History From Below" first, I truly enjoyed listening to the first attempts of a band that I believe should be huge, on the back of just two albums. The eponymous track was without a doubt my favourite on the album. Also, Vasquez's voice is just amazing, conveying an incredible amount of emotion.… Full Review »
  2. Brendan
    Feb 3, 2010
    10
    Great album, translates well to live sets - can't wait to hear the follow up.
  3. Waldo
    Dec 24, 2009
    8
    This is an excellent album from first to finish. I listened to this album in a friend's car with no hope of running across it again. I This is an excellent album from first to finish. I listened to this album in a friend's car with no hope of running across it again. I end up in arecord shop in Jackson, MS and there it was! It was as good as the first time. I can't stop listening to it. Its nice to find a great album that starts strong and finishes stronger.… Full Review »
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