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Silver & Gold [Boxset] Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: The second set of Christmas-related songs (the first was 2006's Songs for Christmas) is five discs of songs recorded between 2006 and 2012.
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  • Record Label: Asthmatic Kitty
  • Genre(s): Folk, Holiday, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Chamber Pop, Progressive Folk, Holidays, Christmas
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 100
    Part of its success is due to Stevens' uniquely ambivalent position, at once ingenious and ingenuous.
  2. Dec 13, 2012
    89
    With more than two-and-a-half hours of music and enough extras to keep children of all ages occupied deep into the long winter's night, Stevens once again pulls off a wondrously wide-eyed antidote to the boring Christmas album.
  3. 80
    Overall the compilation makes its way towards a bigger story of many ideas, emotions and textures.
  4. Dec 5, 2012
    70
    It's very odd, varies wildly in tone and has its fair share of clunky bits, but it's all done in the spirit of fun and is always endearingly sincere.
  5. Uncut
    Dec 11, 2012
    70
    Inspired, frustrating, wayward, indulgent, funny, heartfelt and eclectic, taken in one sitting it's far too much, like gorging on the most excessive turkey dinner with all the trimmings. [Jan 2013, p.97]
  6. Dec 11, 2012
    70
    Some of the fun songs work on a larger scale and bear repeating.
  7. Nov 26, 2012
    60
    We're given a playful, fun, but ultimately unrewarding compilation for anyone other than completionists.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Apr 6, 2015
    9
    Silver & Gold is almost as enjoyable for me as Songs for Christmas. It's got a bit more content than I feel is necessary, but that comes withSilver & Gold is almost as enjoyable for me as Songs for Christmas. It's got a bit more content than I feel is necessary, but that comes with the territory with Sufjan. What I truly enjoy about the Christmas EPs from Sufjan is hearing the progression of themes and instrumentation from year to year. The songs released around 2009 and 2010 sound a lot like Age of Adz; the earlier EPs on Songs for Christmas remind me of Seven Swans and Illinois. These two sets of EPs are the reason I enjoy Christmas music. I'm still trying to get the family on board but I enjoy these songs all year long. Expand
  2. Dec 24, 2012
    9
    It is Christmas Eve, so I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time to spend on a review, but if you liked Songs for Christmas, I think I can safelyIt is Christmas Eve, so I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time to spend on a review, but if you liked Songs for Christmas, I think I can safely say you won't be any less happy with Silver and Gold. It's truly another gem from Sufjan. What a great present for the whole family! Expand
  3. Jan 3, 2013
    8
    Sufjan Stevens adds some interesting electronic vibes to some standard Christmas Songs and other songs meant to emote the feelings people goSufjan Stevens adds some interesting electronic vibes to some standard Christmas Songs and other songs meant to emote the feelings people go through during the holidays. My favorite are the standards. I tried playing this as the backdrop for our Christmas Eve party, but my older sister (she likes R&B and jazz) wasn't having any of it, and I had to keep putting Sufjan back on when she turned it off. It's MY house you know! Sheesh. Hey! There's another tense, negative Christmas emotion for Sufjan to turn into music -- hating your siblings! lol Expand