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- Summary: The fifth album from the experimental electronica duo of M. C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel (best known in the past few years as Bjork's backing "band") takes a 21st century approach to 19th century themes. Members of Radar Brothers and Acetone guest, as does pianist David Grubbs.
- Record Label: Matador
- Genre(s): Electronic
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 17 out of 22
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Mixed: 4 out of 22
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Negative: 1 out of 22
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UncutLike 1999's The West, The Civil War negotiates a fragile entente between Americana and electronica, but does so on a bigger, constantly astonishing scale. [Oct 2003, p.122]
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While The Civil War isn't as exhilaratingly disorienting as A Chance to Cut Is a Chance to Cure, it's another triumph; history may repeat itself, but Matmos never does.
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If you're curious about the group but haven't taken a chance on them yet, this is the perfect album to start.
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As a technical achievement and as a piece of pure sound, The Civil War is inarguably Matmos' best record.... [but] there's less of an emotional core here than on previous offerings.
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This time Matmos crafts a convincing sonic history project that works its digressions into something more probing and consistent.
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Q MagazineThough Matmos are undoubtedly the Willie Wonkas of ear candy, just occasionally The Civil War gets too anal. [Oct 2003, p.109]
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Under The RadarThis sounds like what writers for a comedy skit trying to make fun of avant-garde music would come up with. [#5, p.114]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 1 out of 1
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Mixed: 0 out of 1
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Negative: 0 out of 1
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marioMar 29, 2005
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