Places Like This
by Architecture in Helsinki
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Lost At Sea
    89
    Places Like This is right up there with the year's best madcap adventures into dance and rock.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Places Like This is a fun album that’s difficult to describe and impossible to forget.
  3. The Guardian
    80
    This album, their third, hurls in everything from trombone and steel drums to something called a "two-note apocalyptic swamp axe". What that refers to is unclear, but it can't be a bad thing if it assists a ridiculously infectious jerky party vibe somewhere between Talking Heads' juddering funk and early B52s' stop-start pop.
  5. Slant Magazine
    80
    Architecture's instrumentation is more varied than ever before. Though they could've made another fine record by sticking to the simpler approach of their previous albums, it's refreshing to see a band take a more ambitious route, and do it well.
  6. Hot Press
    80
    They’re a zesty bunch are Architecture In Helsinki, and never more so than on Places Like This.
  7. Billboard
    80
    Aside from moments where the wackiness gets too overwrought (kid song sound-alike 'Underwater,' the Muppets-y 'Like It or Not'), Places really struts when snarkless electro is in the fore, and a disco high-hat or sunny, guitar-led rock dominates.
  8. Prefix Magazine
    80
    If the album sounds simple, it's because it is simple; it's the attitude, idiosyncrasies and Architecture in Helsinki's refusal to fall into the fey trappings of paint-by-numbers indie pop that make it such a distinguishing treat.
  9. Paste Magazine
    80
    Too much is just right on the third album from this Aussie (not Finnish) sextet.
  10. Boston Globe
    80
    This time, the energy is clear from the start, giving tracks like 'Heart It Races' and 'Lazy (Lazy)' the momentum to burst into the sonic equivalent of confetti.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    75
    The band is still fun, successfully completing their transition from cutesy electro-Baroque to a twee-funk sensation.
  12. Under The Radar
    70
    Places Like This is an experimental step forward for a forward-leaning experimental band. [Summer 2007, p.72]
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  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    Just know that Architecture in Helsinki have enough energy to continue cranking out these adrenaline and saccharine cocktails until you do.
  14. Village Voice
    70
    Places Like This ultimately shares qualities with its IM-chat womb: It's entertaining as hell, but eventually you'd rather just minimize the window and get on with your day.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    When one of Bird's madcap schemes works, the results are exhilarating. [31 Aug 2007, p.67]
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  16. Filter
    66
    Architecture's indulgent heart is the band’s strongest suit--and tracks like the vibrant 'Heart It Races' wouldn’t be half as good if Bird and company weren't willing to risk sounding a bit too sickly sweet sometimes.
  17. Pitchfork
    64
    The abbreviated runtime of Places Like This makes it seem as though they could have given their ideas more space to breathe, rather than piling them up like a stack of pancakes.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 6 out of 23
  1. BizN.
    Sep 7, 2007
    8
    Not quite as solid as their last two full lengths, but still solid in its originality and zaniness.
  2. SebastianZ.
    Sep 7, 2007
    10
    they dont sound like anyone else, quirky as hell and extreamly entertaining to listen to
  3. FreshCharlie
    Aug 31, 2007
    4
    There are moments, but this is easily the bands most disposable. Too bad, I was really hoping for more...
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