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- Summary: The 12-track collection from the North Carolina-based singer-songwriter features B-sides, demos and rare tracks.
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- Record Label: Jagjaguwar
- Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 17 out of 18
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Mixed: 1 out of 18
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Negative: 0 out of 18
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Nov 10, 2017With its plaintive lyrics, Phases further shows that Olsen, like those venerable musicians, is a persistent truth teller, an authentic voice no matter what style she’s working in.
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Nov 9, 2017Unlike the limitations that come with a tight studio album, each Phases track has space to fulfil its own purpose. The tracks sway about a bit, and, in doing so, make for a vast and emotionally compelling collection of songs.
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Nov 15, 2017As a crucial companion piece to her LPs proper, Phases achieves the rare distinction of must-have odds-and-ends album.
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Nov 9, 2017If Phases proves anything, it’s that Olsen’s discards are better than a lot of artists’ best efforts. Like her name suggests, she seems otherworldly, celestial--her impressive consistency and ability to transcend genre and era with seeming ease, nothing short of divine.
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MagnetDec 22, 2017What Phases lacks in structural coherence it makes up for in the stirring depth of the individual performances. These are worthy outliers. [No. 149, p.61]
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Nov 14, 2017Phases is a useful entry into Olsen's back catalogue with heavy stress on the 'back'. For those new to her work, this is a good introduction to her older work, and moreover, yet another example of her incredible talent as a storyteller and composer.
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Nov 13, 2017Opener Fly On Your Wall is oddly reminiscent of the plodding, tense quality of some of John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band – the bits where Ringo appears to be playing biscuit tins--that is, until Olsen’s soaraway, otherworldly vocals take it somewhere altogether more spectral. Special follows, a languid jam that could have easily slotted on to the last album.
Score distribution:
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Positive: 2 out of 3
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Mixed: 1 out of 3
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Negative: 0 out of 3
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Jan 4, 2018Really excellent insight into Olsen's creative process. Love the collection here. Bravo!
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Dec 3, 2017
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Aug 25, 2022What Phases lacks in structural coherence it makes up for in the stirring depth of the individual performances. These are worthy outliers
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