Post Tropical
by James Vincent McMorrow
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2014
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Ricko
    Sep 22, 2014
    7
    With 2010's "Early in the Morning", JVM delivered a fine debut, even if it was a rather typical singer songwriter affair. 3 and a bit years later he returns with a record that goes in a really surprising direction and while this is to be admired, the "new" sound has Bon Iver written all over it. It's a solid and enjoyable album but it does take repeated listens to get into before it startsWith 2010's "Early in the Morning", JVM delivered a fine debut, even if it was a rather typical singer songwriter affair. 3 and a bit years later he returns with a record that goes in a really surprising direction and while this is to be admired, the "new" sound has Bon Iver written all over it. It's a solid and enjoyable album but it does take repeated listens to get into before it starts to bloom (for me anyway). Many of the tracks take an eternity to build but are generally worth bearing with. The same could be said for the album in general - I found the final two tracks to be where the album really kicked on with "Glacier" and "Outside, Writing". I'm not sure what this album will do for his fanbase - could attract a whole raft of material starved Bon Iver fans but could also alienate the more mainstream singer songwriter market he made inroads into with his debut. He's taken a risky step with this one. I can't really say whether it has been a worthwhile risk.… Expand
  2. Scooter4849
    Apr 24, 2014
    8
    A lot of people have compared this guy to James Blake and Bon Iver. While he does clearly borrow some ideas from them, he does keeps things mostly original. Instead of electronica or fok, James leads us on an album journey of neo-soul. Great harmonized falsettos, pianos, electronic melodies, light guitar and drum machines. A rather emotive album, mainly due to the passion in his voice.A lot of people have compared this guy to James Blake and Bon Iver. While he does clearly borrow some ideas from them, he does keeps things mostly original. Instead of electronica or fok, James leads us on an album journey of neo-soul. Great harmonized falsettos, pianos, electronic melodies, light guitar and drum machines. A rather emotive album, mainly due to the passion in his voice. Where this is most apparent are on the simplest tracks, with just him and his piano. Other parts are a little more complex, with horn fills, string sections and crescendo builds. It's not a easy album to get into initially, but once you give it a few listens, and let the pretty good lyrics win you over as well, it's an easy album to like. Best tracks for me are Cavalier, Red Dust, Look Out and Post Tropical.… Collapse
  3. nicholasbert
    Jan 16, 2014
    8
    The 80s revival tendency has yet to be outgrown, as is the synth invasion. But this is the kind of pop music that even the rockiest types like to hear. Intelligent and sensitive.
  4. RedOwlReviews
    Feb 5, 2014
    8
    Vivid, dreamy, soulful, and adorned with soft instrumental arrangements, James Vincent McMorrow's second album provides listeners with a gentle and refreshening alternative sound. Delicate and unobtrusive, the instrumentation allows McMorrow to showcase his absolutely astounding voice without making it overbearing (which it definitely has the potential to be). Although the album may dragVivid, dreamy, soulful, and adorned with soft instrumental arrangements, James Vincent McMorrow's second album provides listeners with a gentle and refreshening alternative sound. Delicate and unobtrusive, the instrumentation allows McMorrow to showcase his absolutely astounding voice without making it overbearing (which it definitely has the potential to be). Although the album may drag on at times, it ultimately provides less than 40 minutes of a beautiful and budding musical thought process. Think of it as a palate cleanser for the ear, transitioning from 2013 - that busy year for music - to whatever 2014 has in store for us.

    FINAL SCORE: 75 (pretty good----------o----------great)    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. NOW Magazine
    Mar 27, 2014
    80
    Post Tropical’s lush horn arrangements, rare but welcome returns to guitar fiddling and overall sense of restraint keep it warm, woozy and with one toe still in the folk realm.
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  2. Filter
    Mar 13, 2014
    80
    Post Tropical should gain McMorrow plenty of new fans, and it certainly won’t lose him any.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Mar 10, 2014
    80
    While there was always an arctic edge to McMorrow--for which he has his ghostly falsetto at least partly to thank--Post Tropical only deepens the powerful sense of cold and chill that cloaks his work.
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