User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Metascore
67

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

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The indie rockers' second release of 2006 is a song-for-song recreation of Harry Nilsson's alcohol-fueled, John Lennon-produced, 1974 album.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Pussy Cats reveals facets of the Walkmen's personality that their originals haven't explored. [Dec 2006, p.189]
  2. Pussy Cats Starring the Walkmen more than makes up for the lackluster A Hundred Miles Off.
  3. Like the first version, you sense the party was more fun to attend than Pussy Cats Starring The Walkmen is to hear.
  4. Spin
    70
    Just as winningly sloppy as its source material. [Nov 2006, p.104]
  5. The original Pussy Cats may not be classic enough to be untouchable, but Nilsson was enough of an oddball original, and the album carries so much back story, that a remake of it just ends up being a "why bother" moment.
  6. Do they embarrass themselves? Not in the least. But they do raise the question of why this album even needs to be heard outside the band themselves, and why it should be in stores.
  7. Paste Magazine
    30
    While Hamilton Leithauser's hoarse yowl perfectly suits the plastered proceedings, the late Nilsson woudl likely have settled for a less sincere form of flattery. [Nov 2006, p.81]

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. TomM
    Oct 27, 2006
    9
    The critics are missing the point here, entirely. This is a perfect cover of a really strange album. But what is there to knock, really? The critics are missing the point here, entirely. This is a perfect cover of a really strange album. But what is there to knock, really? Leithauser has never sounded better/more in control of his unique voice, and it's suited well to this material. And to score the album a 50 just because it's incredibly out-there to even be covering a cult album like this...that just doesn't make sense. These guys took an album they loved, and here's their tribute, and it sounds great. Maybe I missed something somewhere along the line -- but isn't that enough to merit a decent review? Expand
  2. Mike
    Oct 25, 2006
    8
    While I agree that this album doesn't quite stand on its own, it fits perfectly in The Walkmen's catalog. It's pretty much While I agree that this album doesn't quite stand on its own, it fits perfectly in The Walkmen's catalog. It's pretty much just for the fans. And aside from the usual, awesomely sprawling Walkmen fare, there's some really interesting stuff in there; early Wilco, a little Nick Cave, an absolutely Lennon-esque "Many Rivers To Cross". If you've been a fan since the beginning, you'll probably like this a lot. Collapse
  3. Nov 15, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved the original so much. This is a great tribute. The vocals actually sound a bit like Joe Henry, also a very good thing! Expand
  4. erike
    Oct 30, 2006
    8
    the critics are morons as usual. if you like the walkmen, you will like this album. and no, it doesn't matter if you are familiar with the critics are morons as usual. if you like the walkmen, you will like this album. and no, it doesn't matter if you are familiar with nillson's original version. don't let the critics fool you. enjoy. Expand