Scars - Basement Jaxx
Scars Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fifth studio album for the electronic duo features such guest singers as Kelis, Santigold, Sam Sparro, Yo! Majesty!, and Yoko Ono.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Urb
    90
    If you’re wondering what electronic music is missing, look no further: Scars should serve as a reminder (if you needed one) that Basement Jaxx are an essential piece of the puzzle.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    Scars is the strongest Basement Jaxx album since 2001's "Rooty".
  3. 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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  4. Under The Radar
    30
    The fragments don't fit together, and one ends up dreading the next mistep. [Fall 2009, p.74]
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See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. orinj
    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 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.… Collapse
  2. MikeColina
    4
    The 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)    … Expand

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