• Record Label: Ibid
  • Release Date: Jan 11, 2011
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Alternative Press
    Jan 11, 2011
    80
    Outside has a knack for taking these slow-building verses toward delayed rewards--by the time you reach the marrow of a tune, it's already the best Tapes 'N Tapes song you've ever heard. [Feb 2011, p.90]
  2. Jan 12, 2011
    78
    It's a cleaner, catchier Tapes 'n Tapes that, despite often flaunting rather than infusing its influences, may actually leave you humming its tunes.
  3. Jan 10, 2011
    75
    Give Outside a listen, then maybe invite these guys in again.
  4. Jan 10, 2011
    75
    It's a broad spectrum of styles, but sometimes that's just another way to describe the comfort of being your (multiple) selves.
  5. 75
    T'nT soldier on with Outside, offering a veritable Whitman's Sampler of collegerock touchstones (the Pixies, Talking Heads, Modest Mouse) in one cannily melodic jumble.
  6. Dec 19, 2011
    70
    They've rediscovered what made them vital.
  7. Jan 10, 2011
    70
    All in all, Outside is a solid third album and a return to form of sorts from a band clearly in the midst of a big transition.
  8. Jan 10, 2011
    70
    Outside tastes like having returned to my favorite bar to find they've redone the menu. Only this time, all the improvements are positive ones.
  9. Under The Radar
    Jan 10, 2011
    70
    It's a record that captures their visceral live energy, always the band's strongest point, which was largely lost on the studio lapidary of their LPs. [Year End 2010, p.71]
  10. Jan 18, 2011
    68
    Tapes 'n Tapes will probably never again manage to capture the youthful, devil-may-care magic of The Loon--those times are passed. But Outside, with its handful of pretty fantastic tracks, shows positive signs that this band may not be the victim of early success that it once seemed destined to be.
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Nov 12, 2011
    10
    An amazing album that sucks you in from the very beginning. Every track has it's own unique sound and feel, solid acoustics and an amazingAn amazing album that sucks you in from the very beginning. Every track has it's own unique sound and feel, solid acoustics and an amazing lead vocalist with clever and smart lyrics. Outside is a rare gem. Full Review »
  2. Apr 2, 2011
    8
    This would easily be a 10, if not for Mumford & Sons, who make Tapes 'n Tapes look lackluster in comparison, being two bands of a similarThis would easily be a 10, if not for Mumford & Sons, who make Tapes 'n Tapes look lackluster in comparison, being two bands of a similar sound. The gritty vocals, the infectious beats and over all togetherness of Outside make it a truely great album. Note worthy songs include Badaboom and Freak Out, which have the most energy and passion of an otherwise slightly monotenous album. Full Review »
  3. Jan 19, 2011
    9
    This is definitely an upgrade from walk it off. I highly respect the work of David Fridmann on the last album but he always seems to take theThis is definitely an upgrade from walk it off. I highly respect the work of David Fridmann on the last album but he always seems to take the compression sledgehammer to the mix, which in my subjective opinion, ruins a little bit of Tapes n Tapes genius. Outside is Tapes n Tapes with full dynamic range. Not to mention the band's music is much for infectious. Full Review »