• Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: May 4, 2004
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Penance Soiree is everything dirty and vile about rock music.
  2. By simply playing by the rock 'n' roll rulebook-- whose article 17, section 4 strictly dictates that ego, excess and publicity stunts are to take complete precedence over, you know, songs-- Penance Soiree is one of the better straight-up records you're bound to hear from the genre all year.
  3. The opening half of 'Penance...' alone blows every so-called rock act polluting our airwaves clean away, such is the savage malevolence that resonates within every single syllable that spouts from Joe Cardamone's mouthful of poison.
  4. As serious as things get on Penance Soiree (and the choppy "Spit On" gets pretty serious), there's the happily nagging notion that Icarus Line just want to entertain, and that they're damn good at it.
  5. While everyone else tries to steal from the greats, The Icarus Line have done an impressive job at continuing the great traditions in rock music.
  6. Searing white light and scrappy vocals are replaced by the druggy stomping and weighty grooves of '70s cosmic metal, yet the band's alluringly youthful braggadocio remains.
  7. Under The Radar
    70
    Too boozy and nihilistic to be punk music in the community-building sense of the word. [#7]
  8. Mojo
    90
    Their debut, Mono, gave voice to little beyond their frustration, and the distance between that impressively venomous fit of black-hearted flailing and Penance Soiree's stereopathic, multiphonic attack is similar to that between Nirvana's Bleach and Nevermind. [May 2004, p.94]
  9. Q Magazine
    80
    Someone still plays the Devil's music. [Jun 2004, p.98]
  10. Alternative Press
    80
    Full of the most intense guitar rock to come out of L.A. since Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking. [Jun 2004, p.104]
  11. Filter
    80
    It hurts, but like another ferocious beast said, it hurts so good. [#10, p.94]
  12. Spin
    91
    The Jane's Addiction album Jane's Addiction should have made last year. [Jun 2004, p.108]
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Avant-rock fiends should rejoice. [7 May 2004, p.84]
  14. The band refuses to stick to simple, repetitive rhythms; the guitars regularly squeal with feedback, humming with distortion as they lay down thick 'n' meaty power chords.

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. JebusLizzurd
    Feb 28, 2005
    10
    OK here's to the fuckin Icky Line, the ONLY real fucking rock n roll band left out there. this album is all kinds of nasty, and if youre OK here's to the fuckin Icky Line, the ONLY real fucking rock n roll band left out there. this album is all kinds of nasty, and if youre not a pussy you'll enjoy every minute of it. it may make you want to do coke off of some hot bitches tits and slay a bunch of tang. this album is even respectable in the sense that its blatently obvious that they arent trying to appeal to anyone. it's not straightforward skull fucking like their first realease, Mono, but its equally if not more intense. they CHALLENGE everyone who listens, which is something thats hard to find in modern shitcock called "music" in conclusion the icarus line are the best band out there right now for the simple fact that they are REAL. end of story. Full Review »
  2. GöstaJ
    Jan 12, 2005
    9
    Indeed one of the best albums of 2004!
  3. RobertA
    Jun 23, 2004
    8
    this is some great music open your ears and listen. rob