The Clearing - Bowerbirds
The Clearing Image
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

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  • Band members: Phil Moore
  • Summary: The third album recorded at Justin Vernon's studio with Brian Joseph for the North Carolina trio is said to be bigger, bolder, and broader than previous releases.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Beats Per Minute (formerly One Thirty BPM)
    Mar 8, 2012
    84
    The strongest album of their career thus far.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    Mar 21, 2012
    80
    What's emerged here is more unpredictable, a transitional record that still feels complete.
  3. Mojo
    Mar 22, 2012
    80
    Bowerbirds at their least bucolic, both expanding and focusing on a sound that is as timeless as The Band. [Apr 2012, p. 89]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Q Magazine
    Mar 14, 2012
    60
    Their rough edged-folk has been planed a little smoother, and a breakthrough seems feasible. [April 2012, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. AlexxTrusc
    6
    Recorded in Justin Vernon's studio, third album of Bowerbirds - "The Clearing" is somewhat the essence of folk. We can find a carefree, but also pathetic "Tuck In The Darkness", "In the Yard" - referring to the recent doings of Bon Iver, or purely acoustic "Walk the Furrows". Components of the songs such as the bridges in the "Brave World" at times did not stick to the main axis, thereupon listener gets rather chaotic compositions. However, ignoring these minor shortcomings "The Clearing" can be stated as a good album.… Expand

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