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The Alternative To Love
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The Alternative To Love Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: Long championed by the White Stripes' Jack White, fellow Detroit singer-songwriter Brendan Benson follows his 2002 disc 'Lapalco' with this set co-produced by Tchad Blake.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Magnet
    100
    An instant power-pop classic. [#67, p.84]
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  2. Uncut
    90
    Impossible not to love. [Apr 2005, p.110]
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  3. Under The Radar
    90
    The songs all sound cleaner and tighter than those off the critically praised Lapalco, but instead of over-produced banality you're left with pure pop perfection. [#9]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. PopMatters
    70
    There's an amiable simplicity to Benson's songs that translates to likeability.
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    70
    Doesn’t sport as many memorable tunes as 2002’s Lapalco.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    His melodic gifts remain undeniable on this charming third album.
  7. Dot Music
    60
    What he doesn’t have, but desperately needs, is a little of bit of grit.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. [Anonymous]
    Mar 25, 2005
    10
    One of the best pop albums i have ever heard.
  2. katieb
    Jul 2, 2005
    9
    Go buy it now, a well crafted alternative, rock, pop(but how pop should be) album. Very good record, has some flaws (wasn't sure of Go buy it now, a well crafted alternative, rock, pop(but how pop should be) album. Very good record, has some flaws (wasn't sure of Tchad Blake's mixing, but it gets better with more listens). Thought the songs sounded better when I heard them at an acoustic gig and they had more pace and the lyrics punched out. I was a bit disappointed when i heard the album initially. However it still a great record, he just sets unbelievably high standards. Lapalco, and One Missippi exceed it, they sound effortless (more like live brendan benson) and have a better pace.… Expand
  4. BenB
    May 21, 2006
    9
    Just give it a few spins see if you can resist.
  5. sunkilmoon
    Mar 22, 2005
    7
    His previous two albums have been pure pop perfection, this however, fails to reach those heights despite providing some of the most His previous two albums have been pure pop perfection, this however, fails to reach those heights despite providing some of the most infectious songs of 2005.… Expand
  6. matta
    May 26, 2005
    7
    There are some really great tracks on here (Spit it Out, Cold Hands, What I'm Looking For) but there are also some severely There are some really great tracks on here (Spit it Out, Cold Hands, What I'm Looking For) but there are also some severely underdeveloped songs that are just that much disappointing because of the obvious potential that they exhibit. Overall though, a fun album with some great tunes.… Expand
  7. DanB.
    Jun 26, 2005
    6
    Not as good as the previous disc. :o/
  8. Johno
    Mar 24, 2005
    5
    Boring and repetitive. Though his previous album, 'Lapalco', boasted some superior pop, this offering is far too predictable. Boring and repetitive. Though his previous album, 'Lapalco', boasted some superior pop, this offering is far too predictable. Don't be fooled by the general critics. His links with Jack White seem to earn him far too much respect.… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Album of 2005