The Bones of What You Believe - Chvrches
The Bones of What You Believe Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: This is the debut full-length studio release for the Scottish synth-pop trio.
  • Record Label: Glass Note
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Punk/New Wave, Synth Pop
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. The A.V. Club
    Sep 24, 2013
    100
    She, Doherty, and multi-instrumentalist Iain Cook have crafted one of the year’s best albums, which means that buzz won’t be dying down any time soon.
  2. Alternative Press
    Sep 12, 2013
    90
    Even more devastation stems fro Iain Cook and Martin Doherty's sophisticated and catchy layers of synthesizers and vocal loops. [Oct 2013, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 18, 2013
    80
    There’s no denying that the band has released a fully coherent statement.
  4. Q Magazine
    Oct 11, 2013
    80
    All told it's a captivating listen that's proudly individualistic, heart-warmingly intelligent and beautifully intonated. [Nov 2013, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 27, 2013
    75
    While their debut doesn't always maintain those kinds of highs [as singles Recover or Lies], it still provides plenty of charmingly straightforward indie-disco pleasures. [4 Oct 2013, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Paste Magazine
    Sep 24, 2013
    70
    The songs here are cohesive but never awkwardly uniform.
  7. Blurt Magazine
    Sep 27, 2013
    40
    It’s merely average, one likely to fade into memory once the buzz dies down and the fire goes out.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Copeland
    Sep 26, 2013
    10
    Hands down album of the year, an absolute blast from start to finish, Lauren Mayberry's vocals are absolutely perfect and the instrumentation supports it to a tee. My only real problem with the album is that they play it safe for certain, but I can let that go due to the fact that it's their first album and I'm sure there is experimentation left to come.… Expand
  2. Polaxk
    Sep 26, 2013
    10
    This is really one of the most accessible albums I've heard this year. You really can't fault well-crafted pop albums for sticking to the genre; I find it a complete buzzkill to speculate on the possible future when they've released one album. Every song on this is a pretty perfectly crafted pop song, in the best sense.… Expand
  3. kyle_aaronson
    Sep 26, 2013
    9
    About the most fun an album can be one of the critics on the right said that even the most jaded people would enjoy it, and I completely agree with that statement. It was preceded by a few really good singles as well, so the band obviously had potential, and it's good to see that can put together an entire album of solid songs. That being said, this music will get old unless they start to get somewhat experimental on their next few albums, and ideally they won't submit to pop and digress into simple, brain numbing synths.… Expand
  4. JamesOS
    Oct 15, 2013
    9
    Very catchy electropop. If you look at it like that then you will enjoy this album quite a bit. The album has several standout tracks that are instantly memorable. Admittedly, the slower songs (1 or 2 of them) on this album are quite forgettable although that doesn't ruin the experience.… Expand
  5. adhamhany
    Sep 29, 2013
    7
    The entire album seems to be influenced by the sound of 80s pop, which is a great thing. I just wished that the rest of the tracks are as fantastic as Gun, undeniably the best one on the album, and one of the best that i listened to in quite some time. Really breathtaking. Also, The Mother We Share, We Sink and By The Throat are great tracks.… Expand
  6. WadeVS
    Sep 24, 2013
    7
    Crystal clear vocals, flawless production and a sound which is both familiar and fresh this is a band who puts their best foot forward. "Take no chances" Lauren sings on 'Tether', and to some degree they take their own advice. This might not have been the adventurous debut many had anticipated, but they do what they do best, which is upbeat, likeable electronic pop. This is a strong showing, but I fear in coming years it will not be too memorable.… Expand
  7. Nedloh94
    Sep 25, 2013
    6
    This is shiny, it's fun, and it's an okay album. Yet, there are a myriad of flaws. The songwriting, though often interesting, is lacking. Chvrches seems to be focusing on the sound, but the mood never varies much, and there is quite a bit of sameness. The lyrics here are passable, but suffer from being juvenile and overly simplistic. There are some gorgeous arrangements, and the production here is very lush and tactful. A lot of these songs would work very well on their own, but this, as an album, is a little less than the sum of the parts.

    A solid debut, but far from perfect.    … Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
96 Sound System [Box Set]
96 The Warner Bros. Years [Box Set]
92 Sunbather
91 Higher! [Box Set]
91 Master
89 Is Survived By
89 Loud City Song
89 Silver Bell
88 In Utero [20th Anniversary Edition]
88 Your Turn
88 The RCA Albums Collection
87 Southeastern
87 All Hail West Texas [Reissued]
87 Random Access Memories
87 The Blackest Beautiful
87 Annie Up
87 American Ride
87 Innocence is Kinky
87 The Island Years [Box Set]
86 Made in California [Box Set]
All Current Music »