Scars
by Basement Jaxx
  • Record Label: Ultra
  • Release Date: Sep 22, 2009
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Although still flying the party flag, their hectic mash-up of house, disco and hedonism is no longer quite so thrilling, even with help from Santigold.
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton have retrenched, recruited a slew of vocalists and made the sort of uptempo record they were doing at the turn of the century. [Oct 2009, p.107]
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  3. Uncut
    60
    Basement Jaxx still manage to exceed expectations with each album. [Oct 2009, p.91]
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  5. Hot Press
    60
    Return To Form from last electro band standing.
  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    This is their best album in years, but there’s no real progression here. Ono’s mindfuck of a performance is proof: when a band needs to include such bizarreness as their record’s experimental centerpiece, perhaps they are working a little too hard to prove their expressive worth.
  7. Mojo
    60
    Kelis' involvement in the brooding title track can't save it from its fundamental dullness, warped, tetchy ska of 'Saga' fails to get under your skin, They're better on the camp, ecstatic single 'Raindrops,' and the hollering soul jive of 'She's No good.' [Oct 2009, p.98]
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  8. Slant Magazine
    50
    Scars is a peculiarly irritating sort of failure. It's an overachieving, overqualified failure.
  9. NOW Magazine
    40
    The Brixton duo’s music fails to connect with any of the collaborating vocalists, to the point where you wonder if those involved were even in the same room together.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. orinj
    Dec 7, 2010
    8
    The Jaxx are back with the best music since Rooty, with Scars bursting at the seams with creativity and fun. Although not digging too much newThe Jaxx are back with the best music since Rooty, with Scars bursting at the seams with creativity and fun. Although not digging too much new ground (although Day of the Sunflowers might have you thinking otherwise), Basement Jaxx are on the right tracks again, having rediscovered the fun that made their Remedy and Rooty so memorable and upping the ante on their production skills. However the main fault is that the album doesn't have enough filler - the tracks are excellent but don't feel like they're in the right order. Although not a bumpy ride, the excessive twists and turns may be a little much for those who love their albums smooth.… Full Review »
  2. MikeColina
    Nov 18, 2010
    4
    The last album of this London Duo doesn´t connect in many ways and disapoints after listening to "raindrops" weeks before. WeThe last album of this London Duo doesn´t connect in many ways and disapoints after listening to "raindrops" weeks before. We now know they listen to a lot of generes but what´s the point of using them in a simple, boring way for your record? They invited a lot of guests that in some cases doesn´t make the songs better neither merge their style with the band´s, its a voice in some electronic base.
    Thank God for the single purchase option, otherwise we would have pay for wasting our harddrive´s space.

    To try it: Raindrops, Feelings gone (feat. Sam sparro), Day of the sunflowers (feat. Yoko ono)    … Full Review »
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