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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 59 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for the band led by Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. If you’re already among the converted, Random Spirit Lover is a second straight masterpiece from arguably the most talented songwriter of this generation.
  2. 90
    Random Spirit Lover even crushes "Beast Moans" at points, its arrangements meatier and more satisfying, with an off-kilter Disney otherworldliness and kudzu-dense overlapping keyboards.
  3. The shrewdly crafted Random Spirit Lover is the most satisfying batch of songs Krug has ever released.
  4. Fans of "Blackberry Way"-era Move, Berlin-era Bowie, late-period Of Montreal, and the Danielson Famile will eat this up like the candy it is.
  5. Crafting a decidedly more difficult record was likely something Krug intended, considering these songs seamlessly segue in and out of each other. That means some parts sound almost superfluous, as if they were written expressly to maintain this continuity. Still, the effect succeeds far more often than it fails.
  6. It bears all the signs of an artistic statement, stretching for meaning even as it reconstitutes and tears at the corners of its component definitions. It is both complete and incomplete; logical and wayward; good and, yeah, bad.
  7. Magnet
    40
    Krug's non-stop croaking yells get old quickly, and the few highlights are hardly worth sitiing through an hour of Renaissance Faire-y meandering. [Fall 2007, p.108]

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. JimmyF
    Dec 4, 2007
    10
    76?! Are you kidding me? This is not only the greatest release I've heard all year, it's one of the best albums I've ever 76?! Are you kidding me? This is not only the greatest release I've heard all year, it's one of the best albums I've ever heard. These critics need to pull their heads out of their arses long enough to let this album sink in. This isnt a record you play at a dance party, you need to sit down and absorb it track by track. Brilliant! Expand
  2. SeanJ.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    The very best album of 2007. Krug cements his position as the best songwriter in the world with this release. Few more of these and The very best album of 2007. Krug cements his position as the best songwriter in the world with this release. Few more of these and he'll be shooting for legendary status. Very dismayed by the metacritic score though. It's as though a few writers who didn't give it a proper chance were enough to drag the score down. There's no doubt that Krug is a bit of a polarizing figure, but like the Stylus review says, for those of us that are Krugian converts, this is easily one of the best albums of the 00s. Couldn't recommend it enough. Expand
  3. RS
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Best album of the year. Haters will hate when they know deep down Krug is a better songwriter than their precious simple-minded favourites. Best album of the year. Haters will hate when they know deep down Krug is a better songwriter than their precious simple-minded favourites. But then again, there is nothing wrong with simplicity when done write either. Expand
  4. MikeyB.
    Oct 25, 2007
    10
    A true masterpiece. This sements Krug as the most talented songwriter of his generation.
  5. GuyH
    Dec 6, 2007
    9
    Anyone who posted a negative comment after less than 10 listens is completely missing the point of this music. This is not a pop record. Anyone who posted a negative comment after less than 10 listens is completely missing the point of this music. This is not a pop record. Strangely I think the album runs almost in reverse quality order - I really rate the last 5 songs! Complex but perseverance pays. Expand
  6. Apr 17, 2022
    9
    OhOh lalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Expand
  7. ToddW.
    Oct 25, 2007
    5
    What? Another Spencer Krug side project offering? I could have had a V-8! Spence, enough with the Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, et al. Time to What? Another Spencer Krug side project offering? I could have had a V-8! Spence, enough with the Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown, et al. Time to get back on the Wolf Parade. Collapse

See all 23 User Reviews