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Pain Is Beauty
by
Pain Is Beauty Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length studio release for the experimental California singer-songwriter was produced with Ben Chisholm.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. musicOMH.com
    Oct 24, 2013
    90
    Pain Is Beauty not only shows Wolfe’s penchant for atmosphere but for stylistic diversity.
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    Pain Is Beauty isn't quite as cohesive as Wolfe's earlier albums. Regardless, it's exciting to hear her try so many new things and do them so well.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 28, 2013
    80
    Wolfe has crafted an impeccable release here, building upon her existing methods and evolving as a songwriter. Things feel more confident – there’s more energy and oomph.
  4. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 5, 2013
    80
    Chelsea Wolfe’s songs don’t often sound like they’re supposed to, and therefore they always sound exactly like Chelsea Wolfe.
  5. Consequence
    Sep 6, 2013
    80
    Her newest release, Pain is Beauty, takes listeners to the highest of highs, all thanks to Wolfe’s willingness to get low and descend even further into the gloom-hole.
  6. Uncut
    Oct 10, 2013
    80
    A slight tendency to clutter is in evidence, but when the band pare it back, it's magical. [Nov 2013, p.81]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 3, 2013
    60
    If Christopher Nolan ever does one of his gritty makeovers on Twilight, the soundtrack’s as good as sewn up.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. feydrautha
    Feb 15, 2017
    9
    This album is so beautiful and soul touching. Sometimes, if you even don't share the same emotion that the song is uttering, you can share anThis album is so beautiful and soul touching. Sometimes, if you even don't share the same emotion that the song is uttering, you can share an empathic feeling with the singer, with the instrumental, with the lyrics. Absolutely exuberant and gorgeous.… Expand
  2. DannyDL
    Sep 5, 2013
    8
    Inevitably I look back on the good times with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Of course this is not the same, but it's so good if someone makes youInevitably I look back on the good times with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Of course this is not the same, but it's so good if someone makes you think of other great artists.… Collapse
  4. Muddsjr
    Oct 27, 2014
    8
    for me, its not a completely perfect album. Sometimes the vocals feel a little swallowed up in all the loud, thick layers of sound, making thefor me, its not a completely perfect album. Sometimes the vocals feel a little swallowed up in all the loud, thick layers of sound, making the tracks feel less tidy and clear, but otherwise, the majority of this album is great. And a proof Chelsea is successfully pushing herself forwards in her music.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Album of 2013

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