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Slipway Fires - Razorlight
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
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  1. Q Magazine
    80
    Slipway Fires requires more of your time and duly rewards it. [Dec 2008, p.120]
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  2. Mojo
    60
    On 'North London Trash,' 'Burberry Blue Eyes,' 'Hostage Of Love' and the histrionic 'Blood For Wild Blood,' Razorlight have matured beyond bubblegum rock and may yet answer Borrell's prayers for immortality. [Dec 2008, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Uncut
    60
    If the odd clunker remains ('Hostage Of Love' could be a Meatloaf out-take) Slipway Fires largely sees a return to the introspection of debut album "Up All Night."
  4. The Guardian
    60
    It aims at U2, but winds up a ringer for their less-celebrated countrymen.
  5. musicOMH.com
    60
    Just when you think the album is sinking into mediocrity, Borrell and company respond with two of the best tracks they have ever put their names to.
  6. All Music Guide
    50
    Enjoying Slipway Fires requires a suspension of disbelief, a conscious separation between the band's past and the somewhat ludicrous present.
  7. Rolling Stone
    50
    Most of the time, the lyrics are vague and unformed, and when they aren't, the band's lyrical details seem too singularly British to translate.
  8. Hot Press
    50
    An edgy rock album, reminiscent of Razorlight's great debut, had been promised but is nowhere to be heard.
  9. PopMatters
    50
    Despite the grand aspirations and the faux-profound statements peppered among these 11 tracks, Razorlight's third album falls short of anything they've previously done.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    In simple terms, then, the third Razorlight album is utter, utter cobblers.
  11. Drowned In Sound
    40
    Slipway Fires is preposterous, and in a way I actually wish I liked it more.
  12. Spin
    40
    Too bad the performances are so lamely tossed-off. Borrell's quavering vocals feel showy and shallow, while the quartet's glossy guitar pop could come from any crew of faceless studio hacks.
  13. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Between the two best tracks that bookend the UK quartet's third LP struggles an album slighter than the last, which was already thinner than the first.
  14. Dot Music
    30
    The record has some horrific moments, nearly all of them Borrell's.
  15. Slant Magazine
    30
    The rest of the band, a soulless cooperative between Sweden and the U.K., does their best to back him up, issuing rote, lifeless rock tracks that build appropriately to fist-pumping peaks, but it's Borrell's vocals that press this album past mediocrity into embarrassing territory.
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. Ricko
    5
    After 2 pretty solid albums and a progression from Indie band to chart toppers Razorlight seemed to have fallen between 2 stools on this one. They haven't built on the slickness of their "Razorlight" album, neither have they reverted back to their alternative Indie style. This is it's record with mostly mid tempo soft rockers. There are 2 or 3 good songs on this but for more than half the time it's an effort to stay awake. Johnny B takes his self indulgence to new levels here.… Full Review »
  2. DJC
    8
    I'm surprised how poorly this record was received they have made a very good album here. Sure, just as their last album was not war this is not the Joshua tree, but wire to wire is as soulful as tabloid lover is catchy (maybe a little cheesy but hey) it really boils down to a good record that is not getting the praise that it deserves.… Full Review »
  3. DaanK.
    10
    The best album of Razorlight!
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