Swear I'm Good at This
by Diet Cig
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. The 405
    Apr 7, 2017
    85
    Diet Cig’s debut album Swear I’m Good At This is a reclamation of female sexual agency, a physical mandate for equality, a gauntlet-throwing promise for world domination, and the most fun I’ve had with a punk album this year.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 3, 2017
    85
    At just 30 minutes long, it never outstays its welcome and, often times, you’ll find yourself hitting ‘repeat’ just to get another hit.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Apr 4, 2017
    84
    Swear I’m Good At This is the now-21-year-old’s coming-of-age story, and it’s an engaging one, full of awkward moments, breaking hearts, insecurity and a discovery of power.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Apr 7, 2017
    83
    In just under a half hour, the band displays a musical confidence rare for a joyfully ragged garage-pop debut.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Apr 7, 2017
    83
    In just under a half hour, the band displays a musical confidence rare for a joyfully ragged garage-pop debut.
  7. DIY Magazine
    Apr 7, 2017
    80
    Packed with wit, super-sharp song-writing, and charged with Diet Cig’s now-distinctive personality, Swear I’m Good At This should probably be called ‘Swear I’m Fucking Ace At This’ instead for higher accuracy levels.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    The New York boy/girl duo specialize in lovesick fuzz-pop on their fantastic debut album Swear I'm Good At This.
  9. AllMusic
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    Their debut record doubles down--or triples, if we're talking about actual time--on those sentiments [of youthful fun and young defiance] and exposes a deeper level of honesty, although that same honesty might make it hard for anyone over a certain age to relate.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 6, 2017
    80
    Regardless of what anyone wanted or expected from them though, this brilliant debut sees Diet Cig establishing a complex, nuanced voice with a subtle uniqueness, a fierce emotionality and a great sense of fun.
  11. Kerrang!
    Apr 5, 2017
    80
    What saves these confessions from self-loathing is how Diet Cig dance the line between serious and funny wonderfully. [8 May 2017, p.66]
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  12. Exclaim
    Apr 5, 2017
    80
    Swear I'm Good at This is an assured debut with a unique voice, one that finds humour in catharsis and catharsis in humour.
  13. Mojo
    Apr 3, 2017
    80
    It's clever, funny, confrontational and touching. [May 2017, p.94]
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  14. The Skinny
    Apr 3, 2017
    80
    The record successfully transfers all the eagerness of their energetic live shows to portray punk with unusual tenderness.
  15. Austin Chronicle
    Apr 3, 2017
    78
    It's a kick in the teeth from start to finish.
  16. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 27, 2017
    70
    Confessional, witty, with a touch of The Vaselines, Swear I’m Good At This finds singer Alex Luciano magnifying small daily failures and turning them into works of art.
  17. Under The Radar
    Apr 11, 2017
    70
    Like their 2015 EP Over Easy, the New York duo's debut full-length album Swear I'm Good At This is loud, blunt, and totally fun.
  18. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Apr 25, 2017
    60
    Much like peer Frankie Cosmos, the sugarcoated uneasiness works, especially when done well. Swear I’m Good At This is a solid debut.
  19. Uncut
    Apr 3, 2017
    60
    They've mastered the basics, but still have miles to go. [May 2017, p.26]
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  20. Pitchfork
    Apr 7, 2017
    51
    Diet Cig’s debut is almost entirely made of other people’s gestures hastily collected and cheaply executed.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. DavidWasHere
    Jul 27, 2017
    6
    It's a fine album. Nothing like too amazing or anything. It's a perfectly serviceable pop punk album with indie rock flair. The peppy guitarIt's a fine album. Nothing like too amazing or anything. It's a perfectly serviceable pop punk album with indie rock flair. The peppy guitar riffs and Noah's drumming do a solid job at crafting the hooks, and the lyrics can be fun too, but really what kills it for me are Alex's vocals. They aren't bad, but the more rawer instrumentation just does not match with her cutsy, girly vocals. It often comes off too quiet at best or just weak at worst! I don't want to rag on her because she is trying and I can see her definitely get better, but honestly her delivery does not fit. She doesn't have that raw rock vocals that these songs beg for. I feel if the band went for something more folk or even dream pop with this peppy energy they have going on it would be a little bit better. But from what I'm listening to, it just doesn't work for me. Which is a shame from the otherwise fun vibe I got from this record. I think this band will grow on me definitely and I will pay attention to them in case they truly make a spectacular album.… Full Review »
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