Scissor Sisters
by Scissor Sisters
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Guardian
    80
    [An] intensely enjoyable record, which plays like a singles collection.
  2. ShakingThrough.net
    80
    Scissor Sisters' debut is a brilliant ode to a musical era defined by vapid decadence and disposable dance tracks.
  3. Mojo
    40
    Spread over a whole CD, there is some worryingly featureless stuff. [Apr 2004, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Dot Music
    80
    Yes, there are a lot of reasons to hate Scissor Sisters. But this brilliant debut is not one of them.
  6. Logo
    90
    The key is - unlike the tongue-in-cheek cock-rock of The Darkness and the running joke of Electric Six - Scissor Sisters are reverential to the sounds of the 70’s.
  7. Playlouder
    100
    This is a genius pop album, one on which pretty much everything fantastic happens.
  8. Urb
    80
    Rather spectacular. [Jul/Aug 2004, p.126]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Austin Chronicle
    78
    This debut's fantastic energy does peter out toward the end, and some may consider it unfortunate that the bawdy, simplistic lyrics aren't the kind of life-changing poetry you'll want someone singing at your wedding.
  10. Rolling Stone
    60
    What makes these multilevel pastiches more than cheeky cutups is a genuine musicality.
  11. Drowned In Sound
    80
    If it's pop thrills a go-go you’re after, you’ve got it.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    By celebrating what it is to be a freak in 2004 they've made a debut that's unique yet uniting, deep yet designed for the dance-floor.
  13. Uncut
    100
    Sincerity of intent is one thing. But they've got the music to back it up.... This is Scissor Sisters' first Greatest Hits collection. [Feb 2004, p.70]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Blender
    90
    Handled with less love, this could feel like a smug wander through an ironic record collection. Here, it becomes sexy, life-affirming pop. [Aug 2004, p.141]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Pitchfork
    83
    With one part arched eyebrows and droll wit, and one part melancholia and sharp social observation, the Sisters' debut is bursting with golden moments.
  16. Amazon.com
    80
    Ignore it at your peril. [Amazon UK]
  17. AllMusic
    80
    As fun as all of this is (and the lip-smack glam of "Music Is the Victim" is very, very fun), the Sisters' revisionism can also get them in trouble.
  18. PopMatters
    80
    The album is fully committed to its breadth of ideas, allowing the songs to transcend their quirky individuality and ear candy sheen.
  19. The A.V. Club
    60
    Scattershot.
  20. Q Magazine
    80
    A trash-conscious blend of craft and humour gives them the sass, style and balls to sound like no one else around. [Mar 2004, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews
  21. Filter
    72
    It becomes evident towards the latter half of the album that genre-splicing gets dull... fast. [#12, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  22. Stylus Magazine
    90
    With more concern for melody and rhythm than partisan politics, they use modern technology and an open mind to nimbly skip between the opposing camps of black 70s Disco and white 70s AM Radio, but in their songwriting methods The Sisters embrace the now mythic open arms party spirit of the early dance movement.
  23. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    The songs here are mindless, repetitive, and perfect for the dance floor.
  24. Flak Magazine
    80
    The powerful melodies are impossible to shake, and grooves compel you to move, giving the album the authority of a greatest-hits collection.
  25. E! Online
    83
    Take Elton John, multiply him by five, add a pinch of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, maybe a little Beck and some Carson Kressley, and you'll have something resembling the Scissor Sisters.
  26. Trouser Press
    50
    Often irresistible yet occasionally irritating.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best Album of 2004
30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2004
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 90 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 101
  3. Negative: 9 out of 101
  1. owenrw89
    Dec 11, 2016
    7
    It's unbelievably original. Highly likable and an awful lot of fun. Some tracks are a little strange for the sake of being strange **** on theIt's unbelievably original. Highly likable and an awful lot of fun. Some tracks are a little strange for the sake of being strange **** on the Radio') and others could have pushed the boundaries that bit further ('Better Luck'), but overall it's an excellent debut. It's pop, it's rock, it's dance, it's country and it's alternative. It's a proper eclectic pop record.… Full Review »
  2. AnnH
    Jan 12, 2007
    9
    Heard Lara being played in a record store and bought the album immediately. Played that song over and over and eventually listened to and Heard Lara being played in a record store and bought the album immediately. Played that song over and over and eventually listened to and realized the rest of the songs were great as well.… Full Review »
  3. erwink
    Dec 12, 2006
    10
    pure perfection
See all user reviews »