Once More 'Round the Sun
by Mastodon
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
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  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 18, 2014
    60
    For their fans accustomed to the clattering joyride only Mastodon provide, this will suffice for now. [Summer 2014, p.92]
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  2. Q Magazine
    Jul 2, 2014
    60
    Mastodon return to the dense riffing of old. [Aug 2014, p.109]
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  3. Mojo
    Jul 2, 2014
    60
    If inherent heaviness is the ultimate aim for any metal band, then Mastodon only partly succeed. Fortunately, they hit the right combination between brutal, epic, progressive and endless wild soloing. [Aug 2014, p.92]
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  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 19, 2014
    60
    As heavy, hard rock records go, Once More ‘Round the Sun isn’t necessarily a bad one; it’s just that it seems, like The Hunter before it, to be nudging Mastodon further and further away from what made them stand out in the first place.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 19, 2014
    60
    Once More ‘Round the Sun has lots to recommend it, but it’s a very safe LP that simply doesn’t provide fans with much they won’t have heard before.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Jul 3, 2014
    40
    The music still branches off into proggy places, especially in the latter half, but nothing hits hard or is remotely memorable.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 102 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 102
  3. Negative: 4 out of 102
  1. jjjjbw
    Jun 24, 2014
    1
    Everything from the evident lack of interest in the songs from the musicians (stale dynamics, much?) to the flattest, most bland production toEverything from the evident lack of interest in the songs from the musicians (stale dynamics, much?) to the flattest, most bland production to the lamest, most cheesy lyrics I've heard from a good band in a while points to one thing: the end of the Mastodon their most devout early fans used to know and love.

    Any single moment on this album is a stale rip-off of motifs they covered much better and with more heart and soul in previous albums. Disagree? See Remission, Leviathan, Blood Mountain, or even Crack the Skye. Even the good-at-best The Hunter outshines this in almost all respects.    … Full Review »
  2. Bairei
    Jun 26, 2014
    10
    After 'The Hunter' I was hoping, that 'Once More 'Round The Sun' will be at least as awesome, as 'Crack the Skye'. And truly it is, maybe evenAfter 'The Hunter' I was hoping, that 'Once More 'Round The Sun' will be at least as awesome, as 'Crack the Skye'. And truly it is, maybe even better! For me, their best song is 'Tread Lightly' (which is also first album track), however all of the album songs are worth listening, the singles 'High Road' and 'Chimes at Midnight' made me very hyped. A must-listen for all Mastodon, Prog and Alternative metal fans!… Full Review »
  3. sexy_math
    Jun 25, 2014
    5
    Perhaps the least dynamic or interesting of any Mastodon album to date, this album suffers from mixing that denies dynamism as well as songsPerhaps the least dynamic or interesting of any Mastodon album to date, this album suffers from mixing that denies dynamism as well as songs that lack defining and interesting moments akin to the intensity of their earlier releases. That being said, the band is tighter than ever and the album is perhaps the most cohesive overall package than in the past. However, the bands highly polished prog approach and increasingly hook-oriented pop focus may be a sign that Mastodon is no longer willing to experiment within their niche.

    This album may not be easy to swallow for early fans, but the band has been slowly moving out of the intense, metal-focused direction since Blood Mountain. The sound that Mastodon has developed seems more to pay homage to their earlier stylistic approach to songwriting, rather than expand upon it. I recommend listening to Once More Around the Sun and Remission in a single setting to illustrate the transition.

    Despite my negative view on this album and the bands current direction, I still recommend giving this album a listen to form your own opinion. It's a highly accessible album (a pro and a con) and has some entertaining moments, but is overall hurt by a lack of risk taking from a band that used to be excellent at keeping its listeners on their toes.    … Full Review »
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