Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Showtunes - Stephin Merritt
User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    10 out of 10
    Rate this:
    out of 10
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

  3. Characters remaining: 5000 out of 5000

view
per page
  1. matta
    Mar 17, 2006
    7
    There are some beautiful moments, but, as Pitchfork pointed out, the way Merritt chose to release the songs feels wrong. Using just a few traditional Chinese instruments for the musical makes sense, but for this record it feels like something is lacking. Obviously, this is how Merritt wanted it to be, but I just can't help but wonder if he would have fused the style on the record with magnetic fields. That right there would have raised it to a nine in my opinion.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ChazM
    Mar 19, 2006
    1
    This album is utterly unlistenable, except for by critics hoping to make a point in the already frustrating spectrum of "Indie Rock." By the way, I do love 69 love songs
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. joshn
    Mar 23, 2006
    3
    It's gets a three for "Shall We Sing a Duet" and it's reprise, otherwise I will never listen to any other song on this album. Reviews make it sound like listenable showtunes when actually it just pradles on to the point of irritation.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. jeffb
    Apr 1, 2006
    9
    These songs are MUCH better when integrated within their whole mini operas. iTunes has all three of them. Strange but beautiful stuff. Lots for the Merritt/Fields fan to grab to.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
prev next
Page:
  • 1

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Guardian
    40
    Merritt is a witty writer but, particularly after the frequently magnificent 69 Love Songs, that wit is becoming over-familiar.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    DVD visuals would help, but it still beats Andrew Lloyd Webber. [17 Mar 2006, p.114]
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    Each of these tracks - the duelling-banjo Train Song; the elegiac And He Would Say - is really perfectly formed, beautifully satisfying in structure alone.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »