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Outside Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The indie rock band from Minnesota self-produced its third album.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  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. 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.
  3. Jan 10, 2011
    75
    Give Outside a listen, then maybe invite these guys in again.
  4. 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.
  5. Jan 10, 2011
    60
    With Outside, Tapes n' Tapes have it really tough because, frankly, they're questioned by those who originally praised them in the first place.
  6. Jan 11, 2011
    55
    Outside is a fine but ultimately feckless return to form, an attempt to rebuild The Loon's simple charms.
  7. Feb 23, 2011
    40
    The general malaise that characterises Outside manifests itself in many forms: 'Mighty Long's overwhelming dearth of meaning, the sluggish pacing of 'People You Know' or the shortlived kick-back against mediocrity that is 'Freak Out'.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  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. Expand
  2. 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. Expand
  3. Jan 12, 2011
    8
    On Outside, Tapes 'n Tapes go back to doing their own recording and producing, and it shows. In my opinion the results are great. This is aOn Outside, Tapes 'n Tapes go back to doing their own recording and producing, and it shows. In my opinion the results are great. This is a very good album. Expand
  4. 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. Collapse