Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Under The Radar
    90
    Perhaps Harcourt's strongest asset is in making the hackneyed sound fresh. [#8, p.106]
  2. Comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright certainly make sense, but the consistent personality of Strangers affirms Harcourt's unique talent.
  3. It's the sound of a man in perfect harmony with himself.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Harcourt... has done the unthinkable: fallen in love with a laydee and made his "happy" album. Luckily for us, it's the best of his career. [11 Sep 2004, p.55]
  5. If relationships were straightforward they’d be no need for albums like this. Thank god they aren’t.
  6. Blender
    80
    The music is cheery even when the feelings are miserable; it's like rainy-day Smiths driven by pianos instead of guitars. [Mar 2005, p.140]
  7. A devastatingly accomplished album.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    [A] slap-happy hodgepodge of an album. [4 Feb 2005, p.133]
  9. The warmest, most life-affirming album of his still-budding career.
  10. This is probably the record that everyone who bought the Keane album should buy.
  11. It's a very good effort, but ultimately it lacks the consistency of true greatness.
  12. There's little rhyme or reason to it, and the whole doesn't equal the sum of its parts. But many of the parts are worth noting.
  13. Urb
    70
    Clearly he's been listening to much Jeff Buckley... as Strangers throbs with that familiar bluesy bombast. [Mar 2005, p.112]
  14. Harcourt's piano proficiency separates him artistically from guitarists who tinker with mere chord-banging to accompany lyrics. There are a few misshapen puzzle pieces on this one, though.
  15. Q Magazine
    60
    The intensity of his pain is inescapable in this exhausting explanation of what really becomes of the broken-hearted. [Oct 2004, p.124]
  16. Mojo
    60
    Often he makes a lot of noise without really connecting. [Oct 2004, p.100]
  17. Rolling Stone
    60
    Sodden ballads rear their mopey heads in the second half. [10 Feb 2005, p.80]
  18. Magnet
    60
    Pretty and pleasant without ever being especially compelling. [#67, p.100]
  19. Suggests that he's finally coming into his own, albeit gradually and grudgingly.
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. matta
    Jul 18, 2005
    9
    I'm just glad that the pitchfork review isn't included because I'm sure they railed on it (although we still have to deal with I'm just glad that the pitchfork review isn't included because I'm sure they railed on it (although we still have to deal with the poor taste of Mojo and Q). Beautiful album. Just barely below his last CD in my opinion, but it's hard to really say because the two cd's are so different and he was obviously going for something new, something happier than the gorgeously dark From Every Sphere. His first cd may have been a mixed bag (with at least two classics in Hanging with the Wrong Crowd and Apple of My Eye) but his last two efforts have been all around solid and he has defenitely cememted himself has one of the most vital voices in british music right now. Full Review »
  2. DavisW
    May 4, 2005
    8
    Ed makes some of the best pop songs today and this album brilliantly showcases his importance to music with incredibly beautiful music. Ed makes some of the best pop songs today and this album brilliantly showcases his importance to music with incredibly beautiful music. "Loneliness" is easily one of the best songs in years. Full Review »
  3. MusicGuy
    Feb 11, 2005
    9
    The power of Ed's imagination and musicial skill always amazes on every CD he puts out. You honestly never know what he is going to sing The power of Ed's imagination and musicial skill always amazes on every CD he puts out. You honestly never know what he is going to sing about or the arrangments he will use. This makes him one of the most talented and exciting talents out right now. He is unfortunately unknown to a lot of people because he really can't be tagged with an easy label. Fans of real singer/songwriters would do themselves a favor by picking this up. Full Review »