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Pageant
by
Pageant Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the pop-punk duo of Liv Bruce and Ben Hopkinsfeatures horns and contributions from Kiley Lotz of Petal, Alex and Noah from Diet Cig, as well as Ben's mother.
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Top Track

Answer My Text
[Verse 1] I sweat out seven pounds in water weight Just asking for your number When you gave it to me I went home And waited a couple hours, like the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The A.V. Club
    May 12, 2017
    91
    No amount of perma-teenage angst can dim PWR BTTM’s light, and by owning the hard work it takes to love yourself and others, particularly as a queer person, they celebrate the beauty and value of our lives.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    May 9, 2017
    90
    What makes Pageant a great record, and a convincing document of queer life, is the balance between earnestness and droll humour, a push and pull that can be traced back through the work of Rufus Wainwright, Pet Shop Boys and The Smiths, right back to Susan Sontag's definition of camp as an expression of this duality in 1964.
  3. Paste Magazine
    May 9, 2017
    86
    What the world needs now, more than ever, is an album as valiant and compassionate, satirical and sensitive as Pageant.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 10, 2017
    80
    The duo use fun to become fearless, combating fear with every ounce of inner strength they can find. Pageant is the sound of a band truly hitting their stride.
  5. Rolling Stone
    May 11, 2017
    80
    While drummer Liv Bruce wrings shout-along comedy out of modern-dating insecurity on "Answer My Text." The corker is "Big Beautiful Day," an anthem for oppressed queer kids that bursts with rage and empathy.
  6. PopMatters
    May 11, 2017
    80
    The songs on Pageant are immediately catchy on first listen, but they have a melodic, lyrical, and instrumental power that will make them evergreen for years to come.
  7. AllMusic
    May 16, 2017
    70
    The last thing PWR BTTM are ready to do is mope; instead they've chosen to create a record that feels defiantly optimistic and celebratory.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. jney232
    May 15, 2017
    9
    Absolutely incredible music by some fierce queer pioneers right now. Each song is super catchy, makes ya wanna dance & go make the world (a)Absolutely incredible music by some fierce queer pioneers right now. Each song is super catchy, makes ya wanna dance & go make the world (a) FABULOUS (mess)!… Expand
  2. Music_Observer
    Jun 8, 2017
    6
    None of these 13 short songs broke away from the constricting mold of purpose and intent, and while the fun electric guitar thrashing andNone of these 13 short songs broke away from the constricting mold of purpose and intent, and while the fun electric guitar thrashing and unique chord progressions saved the album from becoming a wash of cheap energy, the melodic layer was too theatrical to make a genuine impact – not to mention the group’s unfortunate recent history making a negative impact along with it. My Score: 109/180 (Okay) = 6.1/10… Expand
  4. josecornalo98
    Jun 22, 2017
    0
    Their career failed apart because the sexual abuse allegations. Now all that queer punk sh*t and sjw, and everything they preach with theTheir career failed apart because the sexual abuse allegations. Now all that queer punk sh*t and sjw, and everything they preach with the music seems so unauthentic. Disgusting.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best Album of 2017

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