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The Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972
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The Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972 Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The eight-disc (or 10 if you buy the deluxe DVD set) box set from the singer-songwriter features previously released and unreleased works from 1963 to 1972.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    This exhaustive project is the most impressive retro-fest of recordings, photographs, video footage and digiti sed memorabilia ever assembled.
  2. NOW Magazine
    100
    The much richer sound on these formats spins songs recorded as many as 40-plus years ago eerily into the moment. It’s as if you’re listening at the exact instant of recording, making the music as personal as a direct memory.
  3. Uncut
    100
    There’s more, too much more, to come, but for now, Volume One will do just fine.
  4. Rolling Stone
    90
    It's built for fanatics, yet the goods could make a fanatic out of anyone.
  5. AllMusic
    90
    Not only was the wait worth it, Archives feels like it was 20 years in the making. It's an extraordinary work that redefines what an autobiography can be.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    An impressive package, but fans will be paying big bucks for a lot of stuff they already own.
  7. Paste Magazine
    35
    Billed as something of a multimedia breakthrough, the 10 discs here present good--and often great--music paired with sub-standard video content. Unreleased tracks? They’re here, although in disappointing quantity and quality.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. PauloO.
    Oct 23, 2009
    10
    Just amazing! Buy the blu ray version-staggering audi quality as good as vinyl played on a top grade system.
  2. JamesG.
    Jun 23, 2009
    10
    The Blu-Ray edition brings studio quality to Neil's first decade of music,. Truly amazing,a good mix of released,alternate and The Blu-Ray edition brings studio quality to Neil's first decade of music,. Truly amazing,a good mix of released,alternate and unreleased tracks.… Collapse
  4. JohnF
    Jun 21, 2009
    10
    What we have been waiting for since 1987! Buy the blu-ray!
  5. ChrisG.
    Jul 26, 2009
    10
    Just got the Bluray edition, and it is amazing, No doubt about it, it is intended fore more than the casual fan, but does not disappoint at all.
  6. WaughW
    Jun 3, 2009
    6
    A lot of great stuff, but Neil fans have most of it already. If I had succumbed and traded my vinyl for cds I would feel this set was a A lot of great stuff, but Neil fans have most of it already. If I had succumbed and traded my vinyl for cds I would feel this set was a complete ripoff. I would say it has ten songs or less that add to the Neil Canon.… Expand
  7. JohnH.
    Jul 23, 2009
    6
    I came for the music. I was disappointed. There is so little new here. And Decade changed my life ...
  8. TorvC
    Jun 9, 2009
    1
    Incredibly way overpriced at $300 if you want to indulge in the BluRay version. Moderately overpriced at $200 for the DVD and simply twice Incredibly way overpriced at $300 if you want to indulge in the BluRay version. Moderately overpriced at $200 for the DVD and simply twice what it should be for the CD only version. Neil has got some gall asking his fans to fork over this kind of cash (in this economy) for a rehashed release with very little new material. "Cough up the Bucks" as one of Neil's new songs implores us to do. Me, I'm waiting for this to hit the discount bins in a few weeks -- and I'm a fan!… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews