User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Separation Sunday Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second album from the New York City band led by Craig Finn.

Top Track

Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Your little hoodrat friend makes me sick But after I get sick I just get sad 'Cause it burns being broke, hurts to be heartbroken And always being... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. 100
    Separation Sunday stands a chance of being one of 2005's true classics.
  2. It's a triumph of non-judgmental storytelling, delivered within purgative rock'n'roll.
  3. This isn’t just Almost Killed Me 2, it’s an exploration of what lies beyond that initial surface – and the truth ain’t pretty.
  4. Magnet
    80
    Separation Sunday is a book-on-tape, a grim and funny tome that draws from the Bible and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas. [#68, p.98]
  5. While [Finn's] odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group... didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords.
  6. The Hold Steady is the ideal iPod band. Finn's abrasive voice sounds legitimately exciting in four-minute bursts, and his best put-down lines are more corrosive.
  7. Take Finn’s vocals out of the equation and you have a fun and even innovative garage band steeped in the brand of classic rock to which indie has never properly paid its due. With Finn, they’re monotonous, even annoying.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Sep 25, 2015
    10
    It's been a decade since Separation Sunday was first released. I am convinced it's a modern classic.

    There's a quotable lyric every other
    It's been a decade since Separation Sunday was first released. I am convinced it's a modern classic.

    There's a quotable lyric every other line, every song is perfectly structured, and the album works as a cohesive whole. Saying this Separation Sunday has staying power would be a massive understatement.
    Expand
  2. DavidB
    Jul 10, 2005
    10
    Album of the year so far. Great lyrics and music. Fantastic.
  3. ChaseH
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    A fantastically unique epic.
  4. HNice
    May 12, 2005
    9
    holy crap this is good -- and not nice good, more like if springsteen was in mclusky good.
  5. matthewc
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    If Elvis Costello happened to produce early AC/DC. Fantastic rock album!
  6. FishyBooty
    Jul 15, 2005
    9
    Incredible! I can't get this out of my cd player and I can't get out of my head either. The story is great. If you drank every time Incredible! I can't get this out of my cd player and I can't get out of my head either. The story is great. If you drank every time Finn says "high" you'd be blacked out drunk by the end of this album. You would think thats a bad thing, but it works for this album. Musically and lyrically very strong. Expand
  7. CosmoPrelog
    Aug 5, 2005
    3
    I'm sorry? If this is "one of 2005's true classics" then "Somethig to Be" by Rob Thomas is the best record since "Blonde on Blonde" I'm sorry? If this is "one of 2005's true classics" then "Somethig to Be" by Rob Thomas is the best record since "Blonde on Blonde" This is Over-Hype trash by a band that sounds like a a cross between Bo Bice on speed and Ringo Star's All Star Band of hillbilly New York rejects. Lame Junk... Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Sophomore Slump? Comparing the Second Albums of Buzz Bands

    Sophomore Slump? Comparing the Second Albums of Buzz Bands Image
    Published: April 10, 2010
    With the second album from MGMT arriving in stores this week, we take the opportunity to explore how other bands have fared after releasing a successful debut. Is it possible to have a good second album?