Our Earthly Pleasures
by Maxïmo Park
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 8, 2007
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Uncut
    80
    Repeated listens--it's a grower--reveal a number of meatier, surprisingly hard-rocking songs. [May 2007, p.99]
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  2. Billboard
    70
    Maximo Park... safely explore new territory without being too obvious. [12 May 2007]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    On the whole, Our Earthly Pleasures is a sprightly, winsome record, even if, in second-album terms, it's more Pretenders II than The Bends.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    The rest of the band haven't progressed quite as speedily as their frontman - although they've added some welcome Johnny Marr-type guitar flourishes - and remain perplexed by anything at less than breakneck speed.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Doesn't quite have the same impact as their debut.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    90
    Our Earthly Pleasures, in contrast to the water-tight radio punk of its predecessor, overflows with ideas, even if it’s to the detriment of the material.
  8. Pitchfork
    63
    With their new album, Maxïmo Park avoid both utter disaster and absolute success by playing it safe. Nice and safe.
  9. Stylus Magazine
    83
    Maxïmo Park haven't just avoided the sophomore slump, they've made a follow-up that suggests that those who threw their lot in with the band instead of, say, the Futureheads made the right choice. Almost as exciting as the music on Our Earthly Pleasures is the potential.
  10. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    It doesn’t break any new ground, but it’s not a retread. It’s just good, for you and your soul.
  11. Dot Music
    80
    Stick with it, and about four spins in, the album reveals itself.
  12. Rolling Stone
    70
    The U.K. indie band’s second album has beefed-up sound and increasingly brilliant, not-at-all-pretentious gems like "Girls Who Play Guitars," "Russian Literature" and "Karaoke Plays."

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Jellogibby
    Jun 24, 2007
    7
    The album starts great with some classic tunes, but it gets a bit too clean in the second half. Too many songs with lack of sharpness. A The album starts great with some classic tunes, but it gets a bit too clean in the second half. Too many songs with lack of sharpness. A solid record, but they fail to exceed their brilliant debut.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Feb 24, 2012
    6
    The difficult 2nd album...It doesn't have the same immediacy as A Certain Trigger and the lyrics sound forced and pretentious rather thanThe difficult 2nd album...It doesn't have the same immediacy as A Certain Trigger and the lyrics sound forced and pretentious rather than poetic this time round. The big problem is the hooks just aren't as catchy or exciting as before. It's not a terrible record (Girls Who Play Guitars and Our Velocity are nice tunes) and if your a fan of the band I'm sure this will appeal to you, but there are also many other better albums out there to listen to.… Full Review »
  3. philg
    Sep 16, 2007
    10
    as sharif said, initially a little disappointing, but what lies beneath the sheen of the unknown is a fantastic album, as full of ideas and as sharif said, initially a little disappointing, but what lies beneath the sheen of the unknown is a fantastic album, as full of ideas and pop hooks as the first, and eventualy you will come to see the album as what it is, flawless.… Full Review »
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