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Open - Cowboy Junkies
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8

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  1. GrantB.
    May 9, 2002
    8
    A great relaxing album, with messages about hope, dreams and inspirations to achieve one goal.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JimF
    Dec 10, 2004
    10
    The junkies really take a leap here, mixing jazz harmonies with grinding guitar, lyrical bass lines, and angelic (sometimes darlkly) vocals. If you haven't heard this band before, this isn't the best introduction, but to those of us who appeciate their very instinctive sound, it is a masterpiece. If you haven't heard the albums "Rarities, B Sides and Slow, Sad Waltzes" and "Lay it Down" listen in. They unlock the keys to this album. A masterpiece among my +1000 record collection.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. TimC
    Feb 19, 2003
    10
    give this one a few listens - it's worth it. especially, "i'm so open," one of the best singles ever from this band
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. AramC.
    Dec 25, 2001
    9
    DAMN GOOD, I have over 50,000 records and cd's and this cd is one of the best!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. brent
    Feb 28, 2006
    8
    You wouldn't even be reading this if you weren't a fan, and I wouldn't be writing this if this wasn't secret.The days of "Sweet Jane" and "Anniversary Song" and the other upbeat, attention-getting pop they used to intersperse their albums with is LONG gone... much more accesible than One Soul Now, the Open album recitates a lot of debates. Like, do you personally grow with the artists over time or do you wait fruitlessly for the next thing that satisfies a bunch of people? (Google "dylan fan" or "lou reed fan" ) The Junkies, bless 'em, had their accidental modest successes but always went their own way. They write awesome originals and do great covers. They also do lousy covers. And lousy originals. Open is neither of these. It's just a patient, dark, collection of originals with a theme. (Remember theme records?) In this case its death, rebirth, joy, heartbreak complete with into, outro and periodic Michael Timmins black spooky feedback guitar. Not to take away from Michael Timmins, a really great poet. Long story short: When you hear Margo (finally?) turn her soul inside out from her cool exterior and shred up "I'm So Open," to a heartshredding piece of time, you will have a Junkie Ephiphany. The rest of this recording is that way. It's the Junkies at peak: moving writing, the band creating psychodramas as if one, Michael the Poet and Margo the interpreter. You won't play this with friends or at a party, you'll play something like this alone.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. The A.V. Club
    30
    While the continued drive to mix up its sound remains admirable, the weak spots are downright deadly, making Open feel sort of like a between-albums goof, an experiment strictly for the fan club.
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  2. Q Magazine
    60
    Dark and knotty, Open takes a while to win you over but when it does, it hangs around in your head like an unpaid debt.
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  3. All Music Guide
    60
    The whole gang sounds as good as ever.
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