So This Is Goodbye
by Junior Boys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Sep 12, 2006
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 3 out of 37

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  1. BenW
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    this album is brilliant - very moving + so well produced. SPIN CAN GO AND GET F@#KED. that review is appaling
  2. eizaac
    Sep 5, 2006
    10
    Electronic gem !!!
  3. NeilerM
    Nov 30, 2006
    10
    Brand New Retro Robot Synth Funk...Album of the year!
  4. bobbyk
    Mar 1, 2007
    9
    Syth-pop perfection. An aside: why Spin is still considered relevant, especially on Metacritic is beyond me.
  5. MycroftW.
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    No doubt, if you buy one record from 2006, make sure it's this one
  6. TravisB
    Oct 30, 2006
    10
    The Junior Boys have created an electronic album that bridges the gap between the 80s disco rockers and the 2k kids. Minimalist techno beats are layered over catchy bridges and pinball bounces. The Canadian electronica band knows what it takes to produce a spacious pop record, and moreover, they understand the concept of clubbing. The frantic dance music is intense, but the emotional The Junior Boys have created an electronic album that bridges the gap between the 80s disco rockers and the 2k kids. Minimalist techno beats are layered over catchy bridges and pinball bounces. The Canadian electronica band knows what it takes to produce a spacious pop record, and moreover, they understand the concept of clubbing. The frantic dance music is intense, but the emotional underscores are mellow and heartfelt. So This Is Goodbye is one of the best records of the year.… Expand
  7. AndrewS
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    The best thing to happen to electronic music since, well, electricity.
  8. Gan
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    It
  9. m.shoe
    Sep 17, 2006
    9
    cant stop listening to this.
  10. Jake
    Sep 18, 2006
    9
    Everything I love about the saturnine emo excess of eighties pop simmered and distilled in a soulful disco-electo laboratory.
  11. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    Worthy of the praise heaped on the overrated (albeit quite good) Last Exit. This album will age well, and gives similar acts such The Postal Service or The Notwist a new benchmark to strive for.
  12. ToddW
    Sep 27, 2006
    9
    Like Neon Golden and Give Up, two offerings lost in our cultural wilderness, this album perfectly melds the intricacies of polyrhythmic electronica with the best melodic pop. Jeremy Greenspan has matured exponentially as a songwriter since Last Exit, replacing the more detached ambiance with warmer hues. For those of you who wish Depeche Mode was more substance than style, this should be Like Neon Golden and Give Up, two offerings lost in our cultural wilderness, this album perfectly melds the intricacies of polyrhythmic electronica with the best melodic pop. Jeremy Greenspan has matured exponentially as a songwriter since Last Exit, replacing the more detached ambiance with warmer hues. For those of you who wish Depeche Mode was more substance than style, this should be your next purchase.… Expand
  13. matta
    Sep 9, 2006
    9
    It is just a damn shame that this album only has a 75. Don't believe the score kids, this album is even better than last exit. While that album had a couple of tracks that went nowhere and felt a little like filler, this album only has one, and it's a Sinatra cover. Nine original, absolute electronic pop gems just waiting to penetrate your ear canal. One of the five best albums It is just a damn shame that this album only has a 75. Don't believe the score kids, this album is even better than last exit. While that album had a couple of tracks that went nowhere and felt a little like filler, this album only has one, and it's a Sinatra cover. Nine original, absolute electronic pop gems just waiting to penetrate your ear canal. One of the five best albums of the year so far.… Expand
  14. JohnC
    Dec 6, 2006
    9
    One of my favorites in a not so hot year.
  15. juniorboy
    Dec 7, 2006
    10
    one of the best albums of the year. music for people who understand music. simply put... brilliant
  16. [Anonymous]
    Sep 12, 2006
    9
    Excellent Album, if not better than their debut. First half of the album very upbeat and cool and the latter more mellow.
  17. DaveP
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    It almost breaks my heart that something keeps this from being quite on par with the personal life-changing experience Last Exit: the song "So This Is Goodbye" is kinda bland and useless in context of their sound and the album overall. No matter, it's still the best LP I've heard all year, besting personal faves Destroyer, Danielson, and Liars, and the song "FM" is the best pop It almost breaks my heart that something keeps this from being quite on par with the personal life-changing experience Last Exit: the song "So This Is Goodbye" is kinda bland and useless in context of their sound and the album overall. No matter, it's still the best LP I've heard all year, besting personal faves Destroyer, Danielson, and Liars, and the song "FM" is the best pop track I've heard in so long...worth going out of your way for. A record that will age gracefully.… Expand
  18. Dan
    Sep 13, 2006
    9
    The band may have lost a member (and some beats) but they still to evolved from Last Exit in a positive direction. The melodies here are wonderful.
  19. Antony
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    Easily the best electronic pop album of the year and with Silent Shout and Orchestra of Bubbles that is in fact really saying something
  20. RemcoA
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    very nice!!!
  21. LongIsland
    Sep 21, 2006
    10
    The best electronica album I've heard Since Kid A
  22. RG
    Jan 17, 2007
    9
    i read somewhere that this is just a hipper postal service. it is true in some sense but its just tunes from the 80s that always delivers a good time for ppl in the new millenium looking to groove to something with a lot of heart. all the songs flow well into each other and even though the beats are pronounced they are subtle in the way they shift with layers.
  23. LeeB.
    Oct 28, 2007
    10
    Simply an amazing record. Top to bottom the record shines. Definitely the best record of 2006, without a doubt in my mind. The songs are tremendous in both their subtleties and minimalistic change, and Greenspan's vocals just hit you where it hurts. Truly beautiful, a must buy.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2006
74
#74 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Dusted Magazine
    80
    The results may not be as jarring as its predecessor - the excitement of their original experimentation is gone - but ultimately they’re more satisfying, indicative of a duo much more comfortable with their vision.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    90
    So This Is Goodbye isn't just an improbable notch above 2004's Last Exit-- it's also among the best records you'll hear all year.
    Read full review
  3. Urb
    80
    Electronic pop rarely sounds this beautiful and human. [Sep 2006, p.136]
See all critic reviews »