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Pixel Revolt
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Pixel Revolt Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: Vanderslice continues his album-a-year pace (despite also serving as a producer on numerous indie-rock albums) with this typically literate and well-produced fifth disc, which was recorded with the help of The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Slant Magazine
    100
    It fully merits high praise as both the best work of Vanderslice's career and easily one of the best albums of what has been a refreshingly strong year for music.
  2. Pitchfork
    83
    Some might wish this gift for fastidious arrangements would carry over to the lyrics, which feature a bevy of look-it-up references and descriptions that might stymie attempts at easy listening. It doesn't hurt to do a little research or, like, pay attention to lyrics worth a damn.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    80
    Pixel Revolt simply and beautifully reminds us that no matter how great a rock producer is, songwriting talent is as essential as it’s always been.
  4. The A.V. Club
    70
    Lacks both a unifying theme and any broad cohesiveness, houses a number of terrific, tough-to-forget songs, and stumbles hard when Vanderslice wets his toes in murky lyrical waters.
  5. Urb
    70
    Much like Sufjan Stevens (but without the history professor schtick) Vanderslice is a one-man orchestra of plucked and bowed strings, living-breathing organs and lullaby vocals that narrate his musical characters with explicit detail. [Sep 2005, p.114]
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  6. Paste Magazine
    60
    An uneven album that encapsulates much of what's gone flat in the scene he helped ferment, along with the few flourishes that make him a vital creative force.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    More often than not his approach feels too clinical to really engage. [Apr 2006, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JustinJ
    Dec 22, 2005
    9
    Demanding lyrics coupled with top notch production quality lead to one of the best albums of the year in my book. Vanderslice's site Demanding lyrics coupled with top notch production quality lead to one of the best albums of the year in my book. Vanderslice's site reveals the story behind many of the songs as well as production notes for the record.… Expand
  2. JohnV.
    Sep 7, 2005
    9
    One of the best solo albums ive heard in a long time recommended
  4. alixs
    Mar 12, 2007
    8
    John Vanderslice is sassy.