Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Ultimately fails to capture or update the magickal mysticism of the music it seeks to draw from.
  2. This slick homage to electronic hippie music sounds like two smart guys having genuine fun playing something they love.
  3. Disembodied bleeps and European synth drifts opt for bleak, alien magnetism but just end up sounding utterly depressing.
  4. Many tracks are so entirely committed to pastiche that they almost approach the level of uncredited cover.
  5. It's not necessarily a welcome change, as drugged-up, dubbed-out majesty has always been Fearless's stock-in-trade, but there's something oddly captivating about these dusky grooves and forlorn moods that makes it difficult to view the project as a failure.
  6. This is the kind of headphone or background music that won’t have you looking to change discs, but won’t distract you from whatever else you’re doing, either.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Dead-eyed, malevolent and alluring. [9 Oct 2004, p.57]
  8. Under The Radar
    60
    The album has a hard time being anything other than an experiment. [#9]
  9. Los Angeles Times
    63
    The vibe is ultimately too sterile to be compelling, let alone truly malevolent. [5 Jun 2005]
  10. Mojo
    70
    Their most challenging record to date. [Nov 2004, p.102]
  11. Urb
    70
    For every gloomy 4AD inspired "Hail Xnanax," there's the poppy metronic Kraftwerk pulse of "Zugaga." [Jun 2005, p.77]
  12. Q Magazine
    70
    A diverting synthesis of analogue old-schoolery and modern genre-hopping. [Nov 2004, p.117]
  13. Uncut
    60
    At times it's hard to see the point of such a meticulous homage to motorik.... Nevertheless, [it's] DIV's most aesthetically satisfying album. [Dec 2004, p.145]
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. harryhp
    Aug 8, 2005
    10
    Studio album is superb even without the free live at Brixton (CD only) extra 70 odd minutes of classic DIV in the early hours of a Sunday Studio album is superb even without the free live at Brixton (CD only) extra 70 odd minutes of classic DIV in the early hours of a Sunday morning. But with it, Satan's Circus becomes perfecto. The best live act of the last 20 years? Too right! Full Review »
  2. aland
    May 21, 2005
    8
    a confusing, loathable, simple, and ugly peice of work that becomes something really addictive after you spend a month or two gleefully a confusing, loathable, simple, and ugly peice of work that becomes something really addictive after you spend a month or two gleefully hating it. really good record. Full Review »
  3. TomK
    Nov 12, 2004
    8
    The album does wear its influences rather boldly (which can be said of all their other albums). It actually sounds like they made this one to The album does wear its influences rather boldly (which can be said of all their other albums). It actually sounds like they made this one to amuse no-one but themselves, which actually makes for quite an entertaining and rewarding listen. Full Review »