Red Of Tooth And Claw
by Murder by Death
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Mar 4, 2008
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Filter
    84
    It sounds like the freak show has just rolled into town--better get your tickets quick, because this is one spectacle well worth the price of admission. [Winter 2008, p.103]
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  2. AllMusic
    80
    It may sound at first like the makings of a mediocre goth album, but the band's combination of a taut, tense, elegant delivery and poetic lyrics breathes life into each of Red of Tooth and Claw's songs.
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    With Red Of Tooth And Claw they've finally realized the full potential they've been hinting toward all those years--and like all great stories, it's not always pretty. [Apr 2008, p.158]
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  5. Sputnikmusic
    70
    The changes Murder by Death have brought with Red Of Tooth and Claw are a sufficiently demanding and acceptable result.
  6. Spin
    60
    Red of Tooth and Claw, like 2006's grumpier "In Bocca Al Lupo," runs low on contemporary touchstones or appeal. Keep this on your great-grandparents' Victrola, though, for a rainy afternoon of rootsy escapism.
  7. PopMatters
    60
    Truly, the characters in Turla’s songs are alive, relatable, and utterly fascinating, all while showing his quantum-leap forward as a songwriter, praise that’s not meant to be taken lightly. It’s just frustrating that his elegant prose is married to a Murder by Death sound that’s homogenized to the point of almost being lifeless.
  8. Uncut
    60
    Red of Tooth & Claw sometimes feels too much like style over substance, but the best moments here are in the detail. [July 2008, p.106]
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  9. The A.V. Club
    58
    Red envisions turbulence, stages it professionally, and downplays Murder By Death's power to frighten listeners and conjure up dust storms.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Scraper
    Apr 7, 2011
    5
    I hope all these glowing reviews don't let me down. I bought In Bocca Al Lupo because I heard the single "Brother." What a piece of crap thatI hope all these glowing reviews don't let me down. I bought In Bocca Al Lupo because I heard the single "Brother." What a piece of crap that album was. I can't believe I paid for it. Thank god for illegal downloading. Sorry Murder By Death. You're going to have to redeem yourself to earn my money again.… Full Review »
  2. bruceWayne
    Nov 4, 2008
    10
    The best country album since johnny cash walked the earth.
  3. adamk
    Apr 19, 2008
    10
    Flawless. Best album of the year. Not since the first time I heard Tom Waits has music made me feel like this. There is an emotional Flawless. Best album of the year. Not since the first time I heard Tom Waits has music made me feel like this. There is an emotional intensity here that does not abide. The cello combined with the deep voice reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen rolled into one are what make this band and this album something special, along with the Wild West riffs. This goes for all their other works as well, but this was the only album on here.… Full Review »
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