Origin Vol. 1
by The Soundtrack of Our Lives
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Mar 15, 2005
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Blender
    60
    Despite its epic ambitions, this is a more streamlined, less colorful statement than TSOOL's 2001 Behind The Music, and only occasionally attains earth-moving power. [Apr 2005, p.125]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The A.V. Club
    60
    Soundtrack sounds astonishingly good one song at a time, and surprisingly dull over the course of a full record.
  3. PopMatters
    60
    Origin Vol. 1 lives up to its title in the sense that it shows TSOOL fully immersing its music in its classic rock influences. On the other hand, the disc doesn't have the same epic scope of Behind the Music, and as a result it's still something of a letdown.
  5. Trouser Press
    60
    Solid and diverse if slightly lacking the gorgeous full- bodied melodies of its predecessor.
  6. Spin
    58
    Offers modest formal thrills without much depth beneath its glimmering surfaces. [Apr 2005, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Rolling Stone
    50
    Most of the tracks here flounder with minimal hooks, hokey lyrics and rote riffs.
  8. Under The Radar
    50
    The individual songs themselves aren't altogether horrible; they're just too similar to the next one to make an impression. [#9]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Pitchfork
    48
    But forget about style and charisma: This band has no hooks and no energy.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. MattM
    Jul 13, 2005
    7
    While I don't find this album to be either great or original, I do believe that it possesses a quality that reviewers such as Pitchfork While I don't find this album to be either great or original, I do believe that it possesses a quality that reviewers such as Pitchfork neglect to mention, and that is that it is very catchy. While I certainly wouldn't argue that the lead singer is destined for the Opera, I don't think his voice is nearly as bad as critics make it out to be. And one on one, I think each song offers something that is interesting, though I would agree with those who claim it can tend to become tedious over time. While I've never been a huge fan of trying to mimic the idols of your past in one record, TSOOL do it very well here, and thus earn an at least respectable mark from me. Particularly stand-outish to me is how much "Midnight Children" sound like the Velvet Underground. Whether that's a good thing or not to you is really up to what you're looking for.… Full Review »
  2. MikeK
    Jun 11, 2005
    10
    A tour de force. Spellbinding, relentless, with moments of rock perfection. Soundtrack of our Lives channel the rock gods of the 60s and A tour de force. Spellbinding, relentless, with moments of rock perfection. Soundtrack of our Lives channel the rock gods of the 60s and early 70s and somehow make it all seem fresh, vivid.… Full Review »
  3. PauloD
    Jun 2, 2005
    8
    It's not classic but is one of the best albums released this year. This album is a mix of f***in rock n' roll and psychodelic ideas It's not classic but is one of the best albums released this year. This album is a mix of f***in rock n' roll and psychodelic ideas that makes you remember the essence of rock music.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »