Our Ill Wills
by Shout Out Louds
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Sep 11, 2007
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Spin
    60
    Frontman Adam Olenius lobs his bon mots over tunes that borrow from Beck, the Velvet Underground, Bright Eyes, and the Cure. But when Olenius waxes roantic and serves up yet another ace, it's hard to complain. [Oct 2007, p.110]
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  2. Blender
    60
    Borrowing liberally and transparently from Bright Eyes, the Cure and mid-1960s chamber pop, the band sublimates familiar expressions of indie gloom with string flourishes and twink­ling piano lines, giving Olenius both a shoulder to cry on and, in soaring songs like 'Tonight I Have to Leave It,' a source of joy.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    Our Ill Wills is not quite substantial enough to change anybody's life, but its loveliest moments certainly make living more worthwhile.
  5. Q Magazine
    60
    While hopes of stardom might have passed, there are a few minor gems in here. [June 2008, p.148]
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  6. Drowned In Sound
    60
    It's frustrating, because if you took Our Ill Wills' best moments and condensed them into an EP we'd easily be talking an eight or nine, but as it is, the second Shout Out Louds LP is a Jekyll and Hyde record that ultimately flatters to deceive.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    Our Ill Wills is a good pop album. Now go make your own.
  8. Stylus Magazine
    50
    I don’t like it. I don’t hate it. And that’s the truth exactly.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. EoinG
    Oct 26, 2007
    9
    Our Ill wills opens with what will be one of the indie pop tracks of the year Tonight I have to Leave it, immediately toe tapping and Our Ill wills opens with what will be one of the indie pop tracks of the year Tonight I have to Leave it, immediately toe tapping and thoughtfully arranged as it introduces each instrument, layer on layer, each uplifting the next to a bellxylophone like percussion that only makes you smile. They move onto to more catchy tracks that trip you along joyfully. You are going to hear references to the Cure (happy version) in reviews, due to vocals and melody style but there are Beautiful South and The Smiths influences there too. No masterpiece but a really enjoyable album, a hooky happy meal ,but they hold the cheese to make it (cr)edible - sorry!… Full Review »
  2. RodneyO
    Oct 3, 2007
    8
    "Our Ill Wills" delivers on the incredibly high standards set forth by the bands debut disc.
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