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Rook
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Rook Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 49 Ratings

  • Summary: The Austin-based band cofounded by Okkervil River's Jonathan Meiburg releases its fifth album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    With Rook they have fashioned an album that is melodic, tender, outstanding but above all, captivating. One thing is for sure, this is one of the best albums of the year.
  2. Village Voice
    90
    Rook is great, with an emotional clarity and narrative acuity that makes it one of the year's most rewarding listens.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    This "calm before the storm" aesthetic dominates Rook, and in another testament to its short running time, works beautifully, illuminating the few straightforward pieces like "Century Eyes," "Leviathan, Bound," and the brooding title track like a centuries-old woodcut, and allowing the tension that permeates the entire affair to ebb and flow naturally, resulting in one of the most heady and satisfying albums of the year.
  4. Uncut
    80
    From clanging rock songs to eerie ambient pieces to sensual acoustic reveries, it's all highly detailed and perfectly weighted. [Aug 2008, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Prefix Magazine
    80
    While earlier albums hinted at the kind of open-air pastorals that the band was capable of, Rook delivers on all the promise.
  6. Under The Radar
    80
    Rook is the kind of music that people fall in love with, not simply because it’s, by most metrics, wonderful music, but because it contains enough mood swings that no matter how you are feeling, it’s always appropriate. [Summer 2008]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    20
    The songs here tend to go nowhere for a quiet couple of minutes before bursting randomly into tightly composed melodrama, which could be mistaken for actually going somewhere.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. NicholasB.
    Jun 20, 2008
    10
    Fantastic!
  2. PranavO.
    Sep 13, 2008
    10
    Such melancholy,such sadness.Its a work of gr8 art.The kind of album that leaves you short of words.It is so poignant & beautiful.Brilliantly Such melancholy,such sadness.Its a work of gr8 art.The kind of album that leaves you short of words.It is so poignant & beautiful.Brilliantly poetic.A perfect album which ever one looks at it.… Expand
  4. StanleyD
    Jan 24, 2009
    10
    Beautiful album, yes melancholy but still enjoyable. Something to listen to when unwinding after a hard day at work or a quiet hike in the Beautiful album, yes melancholy but still enjoyable. Something to listen to when unwinding after a hard day at work or a quiet hike in the wilderness.… Expand
  5. MycroftW.
    Aug 6, 2008
    9
    A dark and brooding grower and a must have.
  6. JyotirmayaD.
    Sep 13, 2008
    8
    This beautiful album was more than I expected. I expected something lovely, but it has gone beyond that. It has gone to my heart and it is a This beautiful album was more than I expected. I expected something lovely, but it has gone beyond that. It has gone to my heart and it is a very heartfelt album... I never thought I'd ever get this enjoyment from listening to an album based on birds however.… Expand
  7. EffE.
    Jun 13, 2008
    8
    This is an excellent Radioheasque album. Great sound, great songs, nice production. Jonathan Meiburg at his best!
  8. JeffP
    Jul 9, 2008
    2
    I am very open minded about experimental music. I have many Indie and electonica albums that I have enjoyed and listened to over the past I am very open minded about experimental music. I have many Indie and electonica albums that I have enjoyed and listened to over the past five years. This is not one of them. This is a piece of crap and a waste of ten dollars.… Collapse

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Album of 2008
97
#97 Most Discussed Album of 2008

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