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Quicksand / Cradlesnakes
by
Quicksand / Cradlesnakes Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: Featuring basically the same lineup as the defunct Chicago band Red Red Meat, Califone makes their Thrill Jockey debut with this mix of country, blues, folk, and electronic elements.

Top Track

Michigan Girls
In the marble of your animal eyes Take my comfort anywhere Dry white scratches on a sunburnt shin Don't give it a name Drowned and drinking the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Spin
    91
    The best record they've made. [Apr 2003, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Splendid
    90
    A monster of an achievement.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    Is less a bold statement of principle as it is a blossoming into maturity.
  4. Billboard
    80
    It's a strange balancing act that Rutili and crew capably pull off, straddling the chasm between the straightforward and the self-consciously left of center.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    It's roots music that hums and rattles, hearing the dissonant sound of America singing and finding beauty in the collision of opposites. [Apr 2003, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Califone's most confident and realized album.
  7. Mojo
    70
    The highest of hi-technicalia and lo-fi acoustic instruments alternately clash, embrace, or pull apart, but ultimately, like Siamese twins, can't be parted. [Jun 2003, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. HedyL
    Apr 26, 2003
    10
    This is going to be one of the finest releases of the year. If you liked wilco's YHF, don't miss out on the complexity of the sonic This is going to be one of the finest releases of the year. If you liked wilco's YHF, don't miss out on the complexity of the sonic textures and sheer fine tunes in this one as well.… Collapse
  2. garrettm
    Dec 25, 2006
    10
    fuck. yes.
  4. WolfgangJ
    Nov 25, 2003
    10
    Only b/c there's no 11...best record I've heard in almost a decade...
  5. sarahr
    Jan 27, 2004
    10
    it envelops you. its hard to rank it, because its more than perfect.
  6. Classified
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    Once when I was a sailor, I saw something in the water, something...unusual, mystical...it put me in a trance of sorts. I told the other Once when I was a sailor, I saw something in the water, something...unusual, mystical...it put me in a trance of sorts. I told the other sailors aboard, "Oy, over here, there's some sort of unusual somethings in the water down here!" They came a running, a skipping, singing, all the things sailors love doing. So we end up getting this thing out of the water, its a stranged shape treasure box with a lock. I find a sledgehammer near by and smash the lock. Slowly I bend down...the sailors anxiously waiting to see what is to be found in this contraption. I open it, gold light comes pouring out, and in this box...Califone's album Quicksand/Cradlesnakes perfectly presereved. I take it out, give it a lookover, amazed at its beauty, and hand it to the captain. He takes his pipe out of his mouth and says the first thing he's said since 7 years back, "Califone...my god, I thought...I thought..." And then he got down on his knees and put his hands up to his face and sobbed for what seemed like an eternity, an eternity of beauty. 20 minutes later we all go into the room where the only cd player is. I take the cd out of the case, place it in the stereo, and put my finger up to the play button...I look back to all the sailors, they are saying to me, "Come on, push play, hurry." So I push it, and what hits my ears is an instant orgasm. We have the cd on replay and listen to it for hours and hours all sitting down just staring blankly. It is now one year later and I still play this album and it is still as wonderful as it was on the ship one year ago. So please, if you have to steal this thing...do it, if you go to jail for stealing, it was definantly worth it. Enjoy my friends, enjoy... --- Sweet Cheeba Mantaray AKA Blue Tiger… Expand
  7. LindsayC
    Mar 23, 2003
    9
    This is a gorgeous album. the kind that hurts it's so good. really. good shit.
  8. JasonB
    Apr 29, 2003
    9
    Incredible release, seeing these guys live is something you can't miss out on. They are dead on. The new CD impressed me tons. I would Incredible release, seeing these guys live is something you can't miss out on. They are dead on. The new CD impressed me tons. I would have to say this will be their biggest commercial success. … Expand

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best Album of 2003

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