Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
by Courtney Barnett
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 216 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 198 out of 216
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 216
  3. Negative: 7 out of 216
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  1. exodus9237
    Mar 24, 2015
    10
    Alternative rock never sounded so alternative. Courtney Barnett is, of the new artists I have heard in the last year, my favourite, by far. Her music is so simple but crunchy and fun, and her lyrics talk about normal things like they are things worth writing about, but without sounding too arrogant or simplistic. I like her style and her vibe, she is indifferent but at the same time truthful.
  2. buddydave
    Apr 10, 2015
    10
    I have to admit, I was worried. The songs on Courtney Barnett's first release (The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas) were so delicate and idiosyncratic that I was convinced she was headed for a sophomore slump (best case scenario) if not one-hit-wonder status. I'm very glad to be wrong. This song ramps up her 90s indie-rock roots (Cobain and Phair for starters); "Pedestrian at Best" is aI have to admit, I was worried. The songs on Courtney Barnett's first release (The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas) were so delicate and idiosyncratic that I was convinced she was headed for a sophomore slump (best case scenario) if not one-hit-wonder status. I'm very glad to be wrong. This song ramps up her 90s indie-rock roots (Cobain and Phair for starters); "Pedestrian at Best" is a scorcher, But then a song like "Depreston" reminds us of "Avant Gardener" and how we fell in love with Barnett in the first place. And then it breaks our hearts.… Expand
  3. Custom_Concerns
    Apr 5, 2015
    9
    So the question is: did this album make me sit and think, or did it make me just sit? I greatly enjoyed this album, and I am going to go so far as to say it is my favorite album of 2015 so far. There are no filler tracks and no missteps in the entirety of its playtime. My only complaint is that I wish there were more slow, poignant tracks like Depreston, though that really is a matter ofSo the question is: did this album make me sit and think, or did it make me just sit? I greatly enjoyed this album, and I am going to go so far as to say it is my favorite album of 2015 so far. There are no filler tracks and no missteps in the entirety of its playtime. My only complaint is that I wish there were more slow, poignant tracks like Depreston, though that really is a matter of personal preference – plus, when your only criticism is "I want more," that does say something about the quality of the work. I very highly recommend this album. It is accessible, fun, and easy to listen to, but is not without intriguing lyricism to keep you coming back. If you enjoy alternative/indie rock in the slightest, I urge you to check this album out.… Expand
  4. Petrocelli
    Mar 27, 2015
    9
    I thought the album would be like the first two songs, but every song went in a totally different direction. Despite her monotone voice and near talking delivery, the album has a lot of emotion. The lyrics are witty and the musicianship is great. An interesting album. One of my favorites of 2015.
  5. vuljami
    Jun 8, 2015
    7
    I was actually disappointed when Sometimes came out. I still miss her old, more rugged, unprofessional and cozy sound. She has improved hugely as a lyricist, but the music is duller and less exciting, fresh, insightful, varied and diverse (excluding a couple excellent songs, such as Depreston). I feel like she could've done much better with her songwriting, but the lyricism is just superb.I was actually disappointed when Sometimes came out. I still miss her old, more rugged, unprofessional and cozy sound. She has improved hugely as a lyricist, but the music is duller and less exciting, fresh, insightful, varied and diverse (excluding a couple excellent songs, such as Depreston). I feel like she could've done much better with her songwriting, but the lyricism is just superb. I feel like the album is too guitar-centered and the guitars that exist are unimaginative I was really hoping for those chill and jazzy piano songs like Out of the Woodwork and more of a gauzy feel to the whole album. Still, Barnett is a skillful musician and remains on of my favorites even though this was a bit to 90s indie rock influenced in my books.… Expand
  6. nlanata30
    Mar 24, 2015
    10
    This album is so chill. I love it. Courtney Barnett is a refreshing new artist. Music is alive and well. This has been a good year for music. Life is good.
  7. Scraper
    Aug 26, 2016
    9
    She nailed it, frankly. Garage rock isn't limited. Barnett crushes the sound. Plays the feedback perfectly and writes lyrics that Lydia Loveless would die for.
  8. yrcrazy
    Dec 15, 2015
    8
    One of the better albums in a year of disappointing music. Courtneys observations on life remain interesting throughout. A good album and high hopes for the future of this artist.
  9. Seppo
    Jun 5, 2015
    10
    I am a bit late to the party, but it is so amazing to see Courtney's progression from her first attempts. Remember when Cobain said "I just wanted to sound like the Pixie's?" Courtney takes that sound and adds such complex thought and aggression, she makes me wish I had it when I was her age. Wow. I get to see her in Minneapolis and New Orleans. Lucky.
  10. WXYZ
    Jun 23, 2015
    9
    Impressive debut! After I heard Dead Fox for the first time, I decided to listen to the whole album and I knew where I was heading towards. It's a great indie album that kinda reminds me of Pixies (For example, An Illustration Of Loneliness (Sleepless in New York) reminds me of Here Comes Your Man) as it has a great vibe, style & lyrics. I think she will be around for a long time in theImpressive debut! After I heard Dead Fox for the first time, I decided to listen to the whole album and I knew where I was heading towards. It's a great indie album that kinda reminds me of Pixies (For example, An Illustration Of Loneliness (Sleepless in New York) reminds me of Here Comes Your Man) as it has a great vibe, style & lyrics. I think she will be around for a long time in the music industry and I definitely looking forward to her new projects. For all indie fans, go buy this album now. You will not regret it.… Expand
  11. longjetty7
    Apr 1, 2016
    7
    The first time I heard this album I wasn't completely sold, but it definitely gets better with repeated listens. The music is pretty straightforward rock, but Courtney Barnett brings a nice lighthearted energy to it that still makes it sound pretty fresh. Her lyrics are funny and endearing and quirky. The album also has a really nice flow to it. There's a good mix of upbeat songs and slowThe first time I heard this album I wasn't completely sold, but it definitely gets better with repeated listens. The music is pretty straightforward rock, but Courtney Barnett brings a nice lighthearted energy to it that still makes it sound pretty fresh. Her lyrics are funny and endearing and quirky. The album also has a really nice flow to it. There's a good mix of upbeat songs and slow burners, so it's a good album to listen to in its entirety.… Expand
  12. chickenbowl
    Mar 27, 2015
    9
    Courtney Barnett creates funny relate-able songs that are also really fun to listen to! This album gives a clear look into the mind of somebody who is not sure what they want, and that is normal. She doesn't have everything figured out, but that's human.
  13. LeFelixBrown
    Jan 31, 2016
    9
    Barnett's debut is filled with this raw and electric style of songwriting, heightened by her ability to craft great melodies. However, the album's best quality is Barnett's lyrics - witty, idiosyncratic, bizarre, observational, and entirely memorable.
  14. indierokdunstop
    Apr 5, 2016
    9
    A summary of idle nothingness. Barnett's lyrics speak to the lazy and her riffs are creative and catchy. There's a dry comedy about her observations delivered with a range of snarling hits and almost apologetic self-deprecation. Indie music has a very special songwriter on its hands.
  15. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.0
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  16. comceleney
    Apr 25, 2016
    10
    Simply incredible. It really is. We're witnessing something special with Courtney's songwriting flair. I just can't get over her deadpan delivery. She owns it. The album's highlight? If I had to pick one, it'd be "Dead Fox". Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is one of my favorite albums of the decade.
  17. sratomasfer
    Apr 6, 2017
    8
    Imagine the talk-singiness of Bob Dylan mixed with the emotion of Kurt Cobain... there ya go... in lamens terms of course. Courtney is one of the most unique vocalists in modern music

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2015
60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2015
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 28, 2015
    80
    The kind of details she hones in on are so easily overlooked, but often the most jarring. Sometimes... begs you stop to sit and think about them for a while.
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  2. The 405
    Apr 2, 2015
    85
    Barnett's emotional candour on Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit shows us that sometimes she brushes off her mistakes and sometimes she dwells on them--just like the rest of us.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Apr 1, 2015
    80
    Sometimes I Sit And Think is littered with wry, smile-inducing couplets and wonderfully mundane detail. [May 2015, p.114]
See all critic reviews »