Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Uncut
    60
    A spring creeps into the step of "Sunday Afternoon" and "Telephone," providing a welcome break in the weather from a band who conform a little too readily to Henry Ford's dictum of having any colour you like so ling as it's black. [Oct 2010, p.87]
  2. Mojo
    60
    The Austin Doors ramp up the psych-pop tunes. [Oct. 2010, p. 97]
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    It's what Spiritualized might sound like before Jason Pierce sprinkles his gospel fairy dust on them. [Oct 2010, p.104]
  4. Their fourth album has none of the witchy class that makes these others so compelling and comes off like a painfully hokey play-act.
  5. Under The Radar
    60
    With Phosphene Dream, The Black Angels can seem like they're too often pulling in two directions at once -- unable to leave behind their bearings yet subtly alluding to a desire to move forward. [Fall 2010, p. 66]
  6. Phosphene Dream's real achievement is that it takes the band's earlier murderous attitude and makes it impossibly bland.
  7. Everything from the production to the songwriting seems aimed to evoke the 60s, and the album would probably sound killer on a good turntable.
  8. Phosphene Dream's real achievement is that it takes the band's earlier murderous attitude and makes it impossibly bland. It might be the first time you fall asleep during an album with copious references to toxic gas, hauntings, death, blood, and killing.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Mar 23, 2012
    9
    Legit throwback to oldies, especially The Doors. It is an album you'll love to dance to, feel EVERY sound, and appreciate every lyric. MaybeLegit throwback to oldies, especially The Doors. It is an album you'll love to dance to, feel EVERY sound, and appreciate every lyric. Maybe The Black Angels most addictive album. Full Review »
  2. Dec 24, 2011
    7
    If you miss Jim Morrison...well, he's back. No I mean this band sounds exactly like The Doors, especially in their debut (they lose thisIf you miss Jim Morrison...well, he's back. No I mean this band sounds exactly like The Doors, especially in their debut (they lose this similarity with this album). They approach more of a 13th Floor Elevators influenced type of band appeal, which is pretty cool. What i like about them is that they aren't approaching the whole neo-psychedelia phase the same way everyone else is. I'm Pretty sure they got their name from the Velvet Underground song, and also because the Black angels have a track called Sunday Afternoon (maybe a sequel to Sunday Morning?) Full Review »
  3. Sep 21, 2010
    8
    Dark and Brooding with underlying harmonic rifts. This album is with out a doubt, a new favorite of mine.