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Tears Of The Valedictorian
by
Tears Of The Valedictorian Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the fourth full-length for the Canadian indie-rock band led by Carey Mercer (also of Swan Lake).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Sputnikmusic
    90
    Tears of the Valedictorian is easily one of the best records of the year.
  2. AllMusic
    90
    One listen to Tears of the Valedictorian confirms the group's uncanny talent for creating manic, beautiful and upsetting songs that seem to exist wholly for themselves.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    90
    Tears of the Valedictorian is an incredibly dense record and may take several passes before you can even begin to peel away its layers. That sense of rigor, though, is what makes it so arresting.
  4. NOW Magazine
    80
    Tears Of The Valedictorian is the band in top form, with Spencer Krug binding meandering tales of post-postmodernist artistic anxiety with wiry keyboards that echo Mercer's morphing vocals.
  5. Stylus Magazine
    75
    It is simultaneously the most resplendent, accomplished record the band has made, with all kinds of songs... that retain the worst, most self-indulgent aspects of one of underground rock’s most consistently imperfect bands.
  6. The A.V. Club
    75
    Tears Of The Valedictorian may be Frog Eyes' most accessible album, if only because Mercer sings as much as he yelps, and pulls back the reins on the band's thrashy, bashy art-folk long enough to let some melody creep in.
  7. PopMatters
    60
    Before, the most crazed cacophony could impossibly capitulate into swooning grandeur, but now that disparity just isn’t so striking. The dynamic is still in play, but with the edges rounded off, any tension is diminished.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
  1. Amortortak
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    The Krug/Bejar/Mercer triumvirate is the best thing going in indie rock these days. Sure this record can sound like a pointless squall of The Krug/Bejar/Mercer triumvirate is the best thing going in indie rock these days. Sure this record can sound like a pointless squall of noise before you've figured it out, but that's kinda why it's so great...the rewards to figuring it out are considerable. I can't think of a better song than "Bushels".… Expand
  2. RobertD
    May 10, 2007
    10
    ive only listened to a couple songs on here and ill tell you this much. i cant get them out of my head at all. wolf parade is my favorite ive only listened to a couple songs on here and ill tell you this much. i cant get them out of my head at all. wolf parade is my favorite band... and i finally decided to venture forth and give frog eyes a shot. i cant even tell you why i love this stuff.. i think its just sheer whackiness and the sounds that mercer creates much like krug. i wasnt a true fan of swan lake.. but i think i may have to give it another try knowing full well how talented these canadians are... and lemme tell you.. canadians own rock... the US here doesnt come close.… Expand
  4. JoelS
    May 19, 2007
    10
    I'm entranced by this album. I can't get "Bushels" out of my head. An incredibly dense album that wraps you up until you've I'm entranced by this album. I can't get "Bushels" out of my head. An incredibly dense album that wraps you up until you've figured out what the hell is going on.… Expand
  5. JesusH
    May 3, 2007
    9
    Frog Eyes is the coolest band in the universe. Frog Eyes!!!
  6. DavidV
    Jul 21, 2007
    9
    My favorite this year. I am not giving it ten stars because there is a song that, if ommitted, would have made the album a lot better. My favorite this year. I am not giving it ten stars because there is a song that, if ommitted, would have made the album a lot better. Favorites: Bushels, "Stockades," Reform Your Countryside… Expand
  7. seand
    Jul 29, 2007
    8
    not as great as either the folded palm or the golden river but a very awesome record and they have an awesome consistant sound which i not as great as either the folded palm or the golden river but a very awesome record and they have an awesome consistant sound which i usually hate in bands but i love in this band… Collapse
  8. MattK
    May 30, 2007
    1
    This album, although unique, sounds like garbage - too many noises all at once. I just listened to it and I never want to listen to it again, This album, although unique, sounds like garbage - too many noises all at once. I just listened to it and I never want to listen to it again, hence the rating of 1. I gave it a point for being unique, but other than that it has nothing going for it.… Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Album of 2007