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The Beginning Stages Of...
by
The Beginning Stages Of... Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: It's a bit hard NOT to get noticed when your band consists of a couple dozen people dressed in white robes, but having one of the most memorable debut albums in recent years (think Mercury Rev + Spiritualized + Up With People) certainly doesn't hurt. This 10-song debut (which was originallyIt's a bit hard NOT to get noticed when your band consists of a couple dozen people dressed in white robes, but having one of the most memorable debut albums in recent years (think Mercury Rev + Spiritualized + Up With People) certainly doesn't hurt. This 10-song debut (which was originally intended as a demo) did in fact land the Austin, Texas band led by former Tripping Daisy member Tim DeLaughter a major label deal.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Playlouder
    90
    Your new favourite record.
  2. AllMusic
    90
    The sheer joy of their music is undeniably persuasive, evoking the otherworldly brilliance of everything from Pet Sounds to The Soft Bulletin.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    So contagious is their enthusiasm, you could start thinking that black-clad nihilism has kept music to itself for way too long.
  4. Amazon.com
    80
    Depending on your partiality for mid-’70s macramé culture, this is either a gift from the gods or the worst thing that could possibly happen to pop culture since bellbottoms made a comeback.
  5. The A.V. Club
    80
    Though he could stand to loosen the reins and let his sidemen push the songs into more adventurous territory, DeLaughter has at least figured out how to create a dramatic effect.
  6. Stylus Magazine
    77
    Somehow The Polyphonic Spree have managed to make a record that actually is simple, joyous, and spiritually uplifting.
  7. Pitchfork
    61
    The more anthemic crowd-pleasing numbers littered throughout The Beginning Stages of the Polyphonic Spree boast such endlessly repeated refrains as "Hey/ It's the Sun/ And it makes me Shine," which lose a lot of their appeal when taken out of their natural habitat (the live setting) and placed between your headphones.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 5 out of 11
  1. IvarJ
    Aug 30, 2003
    10
    Hey, it's the sun and those melodies make me cry.
  2. Two-LaneBlacktop
    Dec 19, 2003
    9
    A little hippy-dippy, but irresistably fun and joyous. I don't think the Polyphonic Spree mind if you laugh at them or with them, as A little hippy-dippy, but irresistably fun and joyous. I don't think the Polyphonic Spree mind if you laugh at them or with them, as long as you're laughing. … Expand
  4. starcat
    Feb 25, 2004
    8
    This album is fun, it makes me laugh. Sometimes at it, but that's because I hate the Sun. Damned Sun.
  5. BobH
    Jul 11, 2005
    7
    Listening to the whole thing at once is a bit too much. But despite it being very (almost overly) sweet, it's a charming piece of work. Listening to the whole thing at once is a bit too much. But despite it being very (almost overly) sweet, it's a charming piece of work. Not all songs have to have huge amounts of meaning-sometimes they're just mindless fun. P.S. It's Barney, not Barnie. Just so you get your insult right.… Expand
  6. BrandonS.
    Jul 29, 2004
    3
    Hey Ryan, what connection do you have with Dan Smith just wondering. I don't see how these guys are a ripoff, but I would much rather Hey Ryan, what connection do you have with Dan Smith just wondering. I don't see how these guys are a ripoff, but I would much rather listen to Danielson Fam.… Expand
  7. PeteB
    Jun 23, 2003
    3
    This stinking piece pile of dog poo has the distinction of being the only CD, or tape, or l.p that I have ever returned to the shop. This stinking piece pile of dog poo has the distinction of being the only CD, or tape, or l.p that I have ever returned to the shop. Don't believe the hype.… Collapse
  8. CarolJ
    Oct 22, 2003
    0
    This band makes a mockery of what they pretend to represent. Tim Delaughter needs to watch his ego before the entire world finds out what a This band makes a mockery of what they pretend to represent. Tim Delaughter needs to watch his ego before the entire world finds out what a joke him and his band is. He has treated many people badly on the rise to his fame. There is no sunshine in his parade.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2002
81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2002