Strangelet
by Grant-Lee Phillips
  • Record Label: Zoe
  • Release Date: Mar 27, 2007
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. The A.V. Club
    83
    The focus remains squarely on Phillips' voice and yearning songs, and that's a good place for it to be.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Even during the second-tier moments, there's a sense that he's regained his artistic footing. [31 Mar 2007]
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  3. AllMusic
    80
    While the results follow the melodic template that Phillips has made his own since his work with Grant Lee Buffalo, listening to Strangelet confirms the man sounds as good as ever and remains plenty imaginative.
  5. Mojo
    80
    Strangelet's not so much odd as unusually good. [May 2007, p.102]
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  6. Filter
    76
    A collection of reliable, trustworthy tunes. [#24, p.98]
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  7. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Strangelet... seems like the work of a man who hasn’t aged a day since he figured out what kind of music he wanted to make.
  8. Paste Magazine
    70
    Mesmerizing. [Apr 2007, p.57]
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  9. Spin
    70
    The gripping Strangelet strives for a tricky balance of darkness of light... and mostly succeeds, thanks to the raw charisma of Phillips' hangover vocals. [Apr 2007, p.94]
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  10. Delusions of Adequacy
    60
    Strangelet may not be Grant-Lee Phillips’ most stirring collection of songs, but it’s certainly no catastrophe.
  11. PopMatters
    50
    Unfortunately, much of Strangelet just glides by, an immensely frustrated exercise given Phillips’s impeccable track record, and the very real beauty and power inherent in the songs that somehow got scrambled.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. CalvinH.
    Aug 26, 2007
    10
    His best work from years. Great!
  2. GrantH.
    Jul 8, 2007
    9
    On par with, and as consistently good as his best material.
  3. danielofsweden
    Jun 3, 2007
    7
    he's great, as always, but I think he should be a little more angry/sad/down to write those songs that really take a hold of you. He he's great, as always, but I think he should be a little more angry/sad/down to write those songs that really take a hold of you. He sounds as he's in a good mood and that makes the music beautiful but a little lame. I agree with todd on that Mighty Joe Moon is one of the best albums ever made. I think that will always listen to Grant Lee Phillips music, but I prefer some of the older pieces.… Full Review »
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