The Back Room - Editors
The Back Room Image
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 88 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Birmingham, England post-punk quartet is the latest band to have the UK music press in a tizzy, with this debut LP drawing the usual comparisons to Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen. (Actually, they just sound like Interpol.)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. E! Online
    91
    The Back Room is a fine album that proves you can look backward while paving the way forward.
  2. Playlouder
    80
    If you were disappointed by 'Antics' then this'll make up for it, and if Interpol's last offering did agree with you then you'll spend the rest of '05 at least giving this a great big hug.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    A debut that will endure.
  4. Pitchfork
    60
    Editors sound like an earnest rock band who grew up loving the same bands as the current batch of revivalists, but beyond the workmanlike interpretations of their heroes, it's hard to swallow.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 60
  3. Negative: 3 out of 60
  1. DJ
    10
    Truly beautiful record by this band. They dp everything right and the end product is truly mesmerizing and uplifting. One of the best albums in the last 10 years, which is saying alot.… Expand
  2. JamesM
    8
    Please don't buy this album expecting to hear anything original. Interpol are the most obvious reference and anyone who likes them will get on with Editors. All Sparks is almost the sound of an Interpol tribute band! A few low points but at least 5 or 6 belting tracks probably the best being the anthemic (almost U2 like) 'Bullets.' Top live band as well.… Expand
  3. HeyPeople
    7
    6.5 in fact. I think the Billboard review says it all: the counterfeit is so good that it sounds like the original. They are great, they just aren't quite original. I like it because the sound is pure, i hate electronic post-punk. And I love the guitars as well. They seem to hurt, don´t they?… Expand
  4. kiki
    4
    I thought this was an overrated album, and people I have spoken to about it agree. I think it was quite pants.

See all 60 User Reviews

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