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A tautly crafted, thoughtful album, Shine a Light more than follows through on the promise of their debut, and proves that the Constantines have the ability to be both down to earth and dramatic within their grasp.
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Though not quite the slap in the face issued by their debut, even this album's very worst song shines a light on what's wrong with our landscape. Find it and follow.
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UncutA sinewy mix of punk, dub, soul, good tunes and classic guy-rock. [Mar 2004, p.87]
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This is the kind of indie rock record you wait all year for.
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MojoAn album ragged with last-ditch lunges of fuzz-noise and burnished vocals. [Feb 2004, p.99]
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Q MagazineReveal[s] a finely tuned pop ear setting them apart from the noisier kids in the punk playground. [Feb 2004, p.98]
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Under The RadarShine has a nasty penchant for treading water instead of making any real artistic statement. [#5, p.100]
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The group frequently wanders into still valleys before chugging back up, properly balancing bounce and punch--Constantines may be the best band since Archers Of Loaf to marry intelligence and brute force.
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Alternative PressTells the story of musicians creating something brilliant and new with the well-worn pieces of their punk-indie-hardcore legacy. [Oct 2003, p.124]
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There is a monumental feeling of strength and courage in their music that is impossible to deny.
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The WireImpressively raucous. [#240, p.68]
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"Light" is considerably harder-edged and less accessible than the poppier tunes of their fellow Canucks, incorporating bits of soul, blues, punk, noise and even avant-jazz, in dizzyingly fresh ways.
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Strongly, boringly decent.
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Shine a Light doesnt defy genres; it defies poseurs. It isnt fashionable; its a staple.
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Its just a shame that after seven plays, its still a bit tricky to remember what any of the tunes go like.
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Shine A Light is metallic, screamo-ing, ear-bursting, confused and chopping. And man, it's great.
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Though trite lyrics too often undermine strong instrumentation, Shine a Light is a promising sophomore effort from a group that clearly has the chops to blaze even brighter.
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Theres no shortage of pogo anthems, reflective quiet and headspinning ideology, and never a dull moment.
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OutburnWebb's hoarse vocals are filled with the sort of tortured earnestness that can't be faked. [#23, p.84]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 12 out of 13
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Mixed: 0 out of 13
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Negative: 1 out of 13
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ScottOct 12, 2004best indie shit out there.
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woMay 3, 2004
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JamieRApr 23, 2004