Roots & Crowns
by Califone
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Stylus Magazine
    91
    Califone has worked, skillfully, with all of these styles and sounds before, but they’ve never left the table with a more realized, delicate treatment.
  2. cokemachineglow
    87
    Califone are continuing the progressive refinement of their roots, giving an assured argument for the possibilities ignored by folk musicians enslaved to tradition and a smart recall to all the forward-thinking others who have moved too completely and arrogantly on.
  3. Pitchfork
    87
    Roots and Crowns is bluesy and soulful without reverting to revivalist schtick, and experimental without relying on blind cut-and-pasting.
  5. Lost At Sea
    85
    Califone’s latest offering is not to be missed and certainly one of the best albums of 2006.
  6. Paste Magazine
    80
    The band's best collage of cross-bred eras yet. [Oct 2006, p.75]
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  7. Under The Radar
    80
    Building from the past to reinvent the future, they created something wholly remarkable for the here and now. [#15]
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  8. AllMusic
    80
    The songs themselves are easy to approach if difficult to decipher, and the production details reward repeated listens.
  9. Uncut
    80
    Things are more cinematic here, with every melody weaving through a mise-en-scene packed with dramatic incident. [Nov 2006, p.101]
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  10. NOW Magazine
    80
    Even at its most pieced-together and deconstructed, Califone's music feels organic.
  11. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Instead of wandering into opaque experimentation, as they’ve been known to do in the past, they corral those unruly elements into a series of hummable, memorable tunes.
  12. Urb
    70
    The studio noodling on Roots & Crowns sounds fittingly organic and effortless. [Oct 2006, p.117]
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  13. Drowned In Sound
    70
    At times much like a soundtrack to life’s sombre and reflective moments, Roots And Crowns’ clutter-free design is a nice reminder that good music needs no window dressing.
  14. Prefix Magazine
    70
    A beautiful back-porch album.
  15. Dusted Magazine
    70
    Yeah, it’s a mite catchier than Heron King Blues, but Roots & Crows ain’t much of a stylistic shift from Rutili and pals’ earlier material.
  16. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    Roots & Crowns encircles the listener and flows effortlessly as each song melts into the next in bewitching bliss.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. GuyH
    Jan 11, 2007
    7
    This seems to upset people but here goes... this album does have a similar sound to the more restrained songs on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This This seems to upset people but here goes... this album does have a similar sound to the more restrained songs on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is not a bad thing. The album is pretty solid - the vocals are merely functional at times though.… Full Review »
  2. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    7
    The stand out track of this LP 'Orchids' is a cover of a Psychic TV song of the same name, which is a little disappointing to The stand out track of this LP 'Orchids' is a cover of a Psychic TV song of the same name, which is a little disappointing to discover. However, songs like 'Spider's House' and 'A Chinese Actor' are good without being brilliant, the whole album is consistent and their sound has a lot of promise.… Full Review »
  3. tl
    Dec 10, 2006
    10
    Where does Alternative Press get off giving Roots & Crowns a 4/10? Then, they go and give the most recent Ben Kweller CD a 10/10 (nothing Where does Alternative Press get off giving Roots & Crowns a 4/10? Then, they go and give the most recent Ben Kweller CD a 10/10 (nothing personal, Ben). Jesus! What a bunch of idiots! How mainstream do you have to be before you're not allowed to use "Alternative" in your title?… Full Review »
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