The Broken String
by Bishop Allen
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    90
    It never feels like those doing the picking had to lower the standards or tack things on to fill out a weak selection, and like a greatest hits album from any band worth its salt, the biggest criticism to be found here is the failure to include certain songs.
  2. Lost At Sea
    85
    Although the new parts of their "new" album aren't the best, the band certainly deserves some praise and attention for the marathon of 2006. The Broken String will be noticed by at least a few people.
  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    It really is great, striding confidently from one high point to the next, with expansive yet homemade-sounding folk-rock songs.
  5. Paste Magazine
    80
    Bishop Allen has delivered an album worthy of its integrity-laden new home.
  6. Magnet
    80
    The Broken String easily takes its place alongside those classics [Wilco’s Being There and Ben Folds Five’s self-titled debut].
  7. Uncut
    80
    Just as the record threatens to flatten into artifice, they bust out their best Clash and Cheap Trick moves on 'Middle Management,' gleefully shattering the porcelain into smithereens. [Jan 2008, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Prefix Magazine
    75
    While managing to side-step both preciousness and predictability, The Broken String pulls together the long-anticipated and full-fledged follow-up that fans deserve, at the same time aptly defining where Bishop Allen is now: all over the map.
  9. Stylus Magazine
    75
    Perhaps the biggest draw of the album--its sheer fragility and unlikeliness, amidst throngs of over-arranged pseudo-chamber indie records.
  10. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    The result bounces all over the place, from zippy new-wave rave-ups to tinkly twee-pop lullabies to handsome folk-rock jams with trippy guitar sounds.
  11. AllMusic
    70
    The Broken String ups the ante considerably, reworking ten songs from the EP cycle and two new cuts into lustrous indie pop notable for its versatility, clever lyrics, and offbeat instrumentation.
  12. Dusted Magazine
    70
    The Broken String, fails to arouse--the sound is homey, the playing facile and the lyrics keen but not overly precious.
  13. Spin
    70
    The Broken String pares down the track list and polishes the best of the EPs. [Sep 2007, p.123]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. cokemachineglow
    61
    The Broken String is a collection of mostly likeable songs, one dud, and one song-of-the-year-quality track.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. PaulF
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    I love this band. Great lyrics, catchy hooks not a filler track on the album.
  2. christianP
    Aug 5, 2007
    7
    The majority of this album is stunning and exciting. There are just a few too many lulls. Very promising. It seems to me that Bishop Allen The majority of this album is stunning and exciting. There are just a few too many lulls. Very promising. It seems to me that Bishop Allen and Voxtrot will be duking it out for years to come.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »