The Blackest Beautiful - Letlive
The Blackest Beautiful Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Los Angeles-based post-hardcore quartet was self-produced by the band with Kit Walters.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Kerrang!
    Jul 31, 2013
    100
    It helps the record sounds amazing. [6 Jul 2013, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jul 8, 2013
    95
    Given the proper attention and respect, Letlive's The Blackest Beautiful will reveal itself as a masterpiece--a record that will redefine your musical preconceptions and tastes for the better,
  3. Alternative Press
    Jul 9, 2013
    90
    The Blackest Beautiful is a brutally stunning document full of soul and purpose. [Aug 2013, P.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 8, 2013
    80
    The Blackest Beautiful is a strong, focused record from beginning to end.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 9, 2013
    80
    Songs on Fake History sometimes sounded like they were simply vehicles for Butler’s frenetic performances instead of complete songs. That isn’t the case here, which means that most of these songs aren’t as immediate, but lack of immediacy is generally a good indicator of an album’s longevity, especially in post-hardcore.
  6. This Is Fake DIY
    Jul 8, 2013
    80
    If the hype machine had previously inflated letlive's worth beyond their means then with this LP they are most certainly redressing that balance.
  7. The Guardian
    Jul 8, 2013
    60
    Throughout, bursts of radio interference, gentle guitars and even classical music make effective and sometimes welcome moments of calm before the storm.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. VillageGreenRec
    Aug 24, 2013
    4
    I don't know exactly how there can be so much buzz about this album. The trumped-up brashness of bravado is immature and sounds out of place against the HUGELY over-produced moments of clean vocals wait, scratch that; not just clean vocals but also TONS of Vocoder! The album feels completely unfocused, all the moments of urban/rap attitude, vocoding, lo-fi than extreme hi-fi production creates a document that is anything but brilliant or the future of 'Punk', if this is the future of 'punk' than I am ****

    I can't help but think of Refused "The Shape of Punk to Come" ...a honest big production 'punk' album, but in every way that album succeeded this album fails! I am also reminded of Blood Brothers large slabs of blood gutteral catchy indie punk/hardcore.

    "Unique" has been a common word used for this album. But this album is everything BUT. Wow they borrow elements from so many different genres, but that has nothing to do with anything. None of that matters, especially when used so un-natural. How can anyone take this so seriously (and they damn do demand that listening to the lyrics), the production and voice manipulations are overdone and made to sound accessable, corporate even!

    I can't imagine all of the extremely high marking reviews being some how or another influenced by a 'payola'.    … Expand

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