Superwolf
by Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Matt Sweeney
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    80
    With Sweeney on hand, Oldham has kept some of his less appealing musical eccentricities in check -- this is one of his strongest and best-focused works in years.
  2. Amazon.com
    90
    Frayed, fuzzy and undeniably excellent.
  3. cokemachineglow
    84
    Superwolf is Bonnie-era Oldham trying to channel Palace-era Oldham.
  5. Dot Music
    80
    Will’s work has seldom had a stronger sonic setting.
  6. Dusted Magazine
    90
    Superwolf contains some of [Oldham's] most startling work yet.
  7. Lost At Sea
    90
    Superwolf is collaboration in the truest sense of the word, and the talents of the two musicians involved feel revitalized and meaningful in ways that they may not have for some time.
  8. Mojo
    70
    Superwolf's arrangements are pretty raw and understated--under-rehearsed, even--but for the better. [Feb 2005, p.102]
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  9. Paste Magazine
    80
    Superwolf is Americana at its most grim. [Apr/May 2005, p.134]
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  10. Pitchfork
    84
    Soft and subtle, Superwolf is the kind of record that unwinds slowly, and is best enjoyed over multiple listens and, unsurprisingly, many glasses of wine.
  11. Q Magazine
    80
    Has the evocative tang of something ancient and the folk-rock idiom of the modern age. [Feb 2005, p.103]
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  12. ShakingThrough.net
    86
    Superwolf is the sound of two artists on the same creative page, both bringing unique abilities to the table and elevating the other's talents as a result.
  13. The Wire
    80
    The collaboration has had the effect of sharpening Oldham's focus and yielding one of the most gripping collections to bear one of his many pseudonyms. [#252, p.48]
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  14. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    Sweeney brings an array of agile guitar playing and striking harmonies that create a more contained, musically astute Billyvironment.
  15. Uncut
    80
    In this lunar setting, Oldham's visionary, spooked words are lit up with renewed clarity. [Feb 2005, p.78]
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  16. Under The Radar
    80
    Superwolf is simultaneously bleak and tender, the kind of album to reveal itself in layers over time. [#9]
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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. jeffb
    May 20, 2005
    9
    Great song writing. best work sense ease down the road.
  2. gelrod
    Apr 5, 2005
    9
    Oldham's voice is not and never will be the most polished which is the point. It suits the classic rock guitar driven Superwolf nearly Oldham's voice is not and never will be the most polished which is the point. It suits the classic rock guitar driven Superwolf nearly as well as his old Palace recordings which really should be played on a scratchy old victrola.… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Apr 1, 2005
    8
    Strong singer-songwriter effort that isn't afraid to rock out (Neil Young-style) every once in a while. Well-written and well-played... Strong singer-songwriter effort that isn't afraid to rock out (Neil Young-style) every once in a while. Well-written and well-played... Props to these guys.… Full Review »
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