Sidewalks
by Matt & Kim
  • Record Label: Fader
  • Release Date: Nov 2, 2010
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Q Magazine
    May 18, 2011
    40
    An over-thought approach, however leaves Schifino's drumming feeling restrained while Johnson's nasal, perma-positive vocals are overzealous. [May 2011, p.119]
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  2. Uncut
    Apr 13, 2011
    60
    Clever, costly videos prove the couple painfully hip, but close your eyes and it could be Mel & Kim. [May 2011, p.91]
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 4, 2011
    40
    If Sidewalks is husband-and-wife duo Matt and Kim's vision of a perfect night on the tiles, then partying with them must be hellish.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 29, 2011
    60
    The blueprints of a fun time are here; the melodic and rhythmic groundwork is all in place. All we need now is to have Matt and Kim bring this ruckus in person, rather than through the middleman of mp3.
  6. Alternative Press
    Dec 16, 2010
    60
    Matt and Kim deserve albums that sound clean and ambitious, but in all of Sidewalk's studio processing, their endearing personalities--decidedly brash, raw and awesome--unfortunately aren't well-represented. [Jan 2011, p.93]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    Nov 10, 2010
    58
    The album is awash in synths, Kim's drums are allowed to gather dust, and the indie-pop sounds more akin to, well, regular pop. As with previous efforts, Sidewalks doesn't mind starting with dessert, even if that means appetites will be spoiled for the lesser delights that follow.
  8. AllMusic
    Nov 5, 2010
    50
    The Brooklyn lovebirds stick to what they do best on their third album, which reprises the formula that made their previous record, Grand, an underground success.
  9. PopMatters
    Nov 5, 2010
    60
    These two have always been more about energy than depth, more about the bobbing head than the stationary keyboard. Let's hope it stays that way.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Nov 2, 2010
    60
    What comes through on Sidewalks more than anything else is a sense of optimism.
  11. Slant Magazine
    Nov 1, 2010
    60
    Matt and Kim has lost a bit of their musical soul in attempting to reconcile their rough, campy sound with mass-appeal polish, and as a result, Sidewalks lacks a considerable amount of the bite of its predecessor.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. lazerface
    Nov 5, 2010
    9
    Matt & Kim have grown every album as artists. It is a joy to listen to them become more experienced musicians as they go from album to album.Matt & Kim have grown every album as artists. It is a joy to listen to them become more experienced musicians as they go from album to album. In Sidewalks, their experience pays off in a great sounding studio album full of well developed interesting songs. My favorites are AM/FM Sound and the rerecording of Silver Tiles. Ice Melts is the only song that I don't like, but it is growing on me.… Full Review »
  2. egovirus
    Nov 3, 2010
    1
    Whatever they were, they are no more. It's interesting when a band tries to cross over to the mainstream, by dumbing down their sound, gettingWhatever they were, they are no more. It's interesting when a band tries to cross over to the mainstream, by dumbing down their sound, getting a producer with a hit under his belt, they end up alienating their old fans, and fail to get new ones. I wonder how many tracks off this album they sell for commercials... R.I.P.… Full Review »
  3. mz1030
    Nov 9, 2010
    10
    Matt & Kim have done it again! This album is definitely one of the best of the year. Each song is different, and all of them are veryMatt & Kim have done it again! This album is definitely one of the best of the year. Each song is different, and all of them are very interesting in their own way. Can't wait to see them play… Full Review »
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