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Real Estate
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Real Estate Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

  • Summary: The New Jersey indie rock band that includes ex-Titus Andronicus member Martin Courtney releases its debut album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    90
    Cynics be damned: however the hype machine happens to play this one out, Real Estate have overcome the critics and released one of the most refreshing, satisfying and richly rewarding albums of 2009.
  2. Pitchfork
    85
    Despite the summery song titles and the beach balling associations that might follow these guys around, this music transcends the notion of seasons.
  3. Uncut
    80
    The lackadaisical nostalgia for childhood beach holidays is certainly evocative--as indeed, is the way Real Estate recall New Jersey Antecedents The Feelies and Yo La Tengo, plus any number of old Flying Nun bands. [Feb 2010, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. cokemachineglow
    80
    Real Estate is a remarkable debut, and I really look forward to more from this band in the future, please, which will undoubtedly be soon in some form or another.
  5. Filter
    78
    All of these bittersweet tracks are gloriously faint approximations of everyone's favorite seasonal affective disorder. [Holiday 2009, p. 93]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Prefix Magazine
    75
    Despite its short shelf life, Real Estate, if it hits you at the right time, can be splendidly transcendent.
  7. Dusted Magazine
    50
    Real Estate’s sound is imbued with the same sentimentality as the rest of the indie class of 2009, but with zero ambition.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JeffC
    Nov 23, 2009
    10
    One of the best albums of the year, hands down. One of the few bands that can deliver equally in both their live performances and recorded One of the best albums of the year, hands down. One of the few bands that can deliver equally in both their live performances and recorded content. Great to see that the critics agree.… Expand
  2. SilverMan
    Jun 10, 2012
    9
    Even if the songs seem to be quiet harmless, this album is pretty impressive. How Real Estate creates beautiful melodies with two guitars andEven if the songs seem to be quiet harmless, this album is pretty impressive. How Real Estate creates beautiful melodies with two guitars and a bass without any sound effects, is incredibly awesome. One of my favourite albums and one of my favourite bands too.… Collapse
  4. Ricko
    Sep 25, 2020
    8
    Superb debut made up of 40 mins or so of jangly tunes overlaid with the occasional background vocal. The guitar tones used are very warm andSuperb debut made up of 40 mins or so of jangly tunes overlaid with the occasional background vocal. The guitar tones used are very warm and vintage sounding and give the whole album a retro feel. The album gives across a lovely, shiny kind of vibe, hard to describe with words which is always a good sign. The songs themselves don't stand out in particular, mainly as there are no real songs here, just floating hypnotic pieces of rhythmic music. Opener "Beach Comber" and closer "Snow Days" both bookend the album perfectly. Lovely stuff.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2009