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Powder Burns
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Powder Burns Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

  • Summary: 'Powder Burns' is Greg Dulli's fourth album under the Twilight Singers name, and was recorded in New Orleans before, during (using generators) and after Hurricane Katrina. Joseph Arthur and Ani DiFranco guest.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    While Dulli’s working from his usual palette of muddy grooves, guitar-scree and leering swagger, the new album sounds more urgent and lucid in intention than its predecessors.
  2. Filter
    84
    This is the closet Dulli has come to replicating the genius he displayed with the Whigs, but it's not a retread. [#20, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Prefix Magazine
    80
    With Powder Burns he has surpassed all expectations brought on from his previous releases.
  4. AllMusic
    80
    Musically, the album is as hard as the group has ever gotten.
  5. cokemachineglow
    79
    This record is the “hardest” thing the Twilight Singers have released, but is situated squarely within the realm of anthemic arena rock, not the more straightforward stuff of Whigs nostalgics. Most of the time this works beautifully.
  6. Mojo
    70
    The autobiographical lyrics on offer here make for intimate listening. [Jun 2006, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Stylus Magazine
    33
    Sounding (at best, mind you) like an uninspired Afghan Whigs tribute band, it recycles motifs, melody lines, production tricks, and lyrics from the back catalog. Part of the problem lies in the production--it's far too muddled, loud, and flat--but even the most gifted producer would have trouble making a good album out of the Dulli-by-numbers on display here.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. OnofreL.
    Jul 16, 2007
    10
    Incredible and for me, their best album!! Go and buy it!!! from Caracas, Venezuela...
  2. SimonS
    Jun 22, 2006
    10
    Better than most
  4. Raindog1972
    May 30, 2006
    10
    Dulli is out there all alone....his songriting just continues to improve. An incredible, intoxicating mix of everyhting that is right w/ music....
  5. Ian
    Sep 23, 2006
    10
    An outstanding album from one of the best, most underrated songwriters around. Powder Burns is easily the best album of 2006, and a An outstanding album from one of the best, most underrated songwriters around. Powder Burns is easily the best album of 2006, and a masterpiece that everyone should hear.… Expand
  6. KevinB
    May 31, 2006
    9
    A kick ass ride. Boy did that chick have an ax to grind or what. She really telegraphed her bias by bringing up the zine "Fat Greg Dulli" A kick ass ride. Boy did that chick have an ax to grind or what. She really telegraphed her bias by bringing up the zine "Fat Greg Dulli" What is she like 50?… Expand
  7. JimmyJ
    Jun 4, 2006
    9
    Great Album.
  8. JeremyD
    May 30, 2006
    3
    Just doesn't capture the magic of early TS material. Certainly doesn't come close to the Whigs. Really, a very poor record.

See all 21 User Reviews