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The Complex
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The Complex Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The multimedia collective known as the Blue Man Group, who can be seen and heard in ongoing theatrical productions in several cities, in television commercials for Intel, and even on a previous instrumental album 'Audio,' have released here something akin to a real rock'n'roll album. TheirThe multimedia collective known as the Blue Man Group, who can be seen and heard in ongoing theatrical productions in several cities, in television commercials for Intel, and even on a previous instrumental album 'Audio,' have released here something akin to a real rock'n'roll album. Their assortment of invented instrumentation is now accompanied by more traditional instruments, and vocals are provided by an array of guests, including Dave Matthews, Spalding Gray and Tracy Bonham. Included also are covers of "White Rabbit" and "I Feel Love."… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Amazon.com
    80
    Fans of their live performances will appreciate its wall-to-wall rhythmic thrust and quirky textures, while aficionados and newcomers alike should welcome its surprising, seductive melodies and mature songwriting.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Although its inspirations, musical and conceptual, trace as far back as Kraftwerk, The Complex serves as a reminder that modern devices and glistening production values can be applied to the most primal creative instincts, if utilized by the right -- blue -- hands.
  3. The A.V. Club
    70
    Very little of The Complex comes off as more than sophisticated videogame music, mainly because Blue Man Group is good at filling big spaces, but not at unearthing the small, precious pockets of stillness.
  4. ShakingThrough.net
    58
    One would like to think there's a subversive statement here about the blandness of much of commercial radio, but it's far more likely that the vocal turns by Dave Matthews and Bush's Gavin Rossdale are as free of intended irony as those songs' lyrics are free of fresh content.
  5. E! Online
    50
    There's something high-concept going on here, if you listen closely enough. Sad thing is, you probably won't want to. There's something high-concept going on here, if you listen closely enough. Sad thing is, you probably won't want to.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    Even emotive guests like Tracy Bonham and Dave Matthews can't heat up The Complex's frosty, dullingly drum-driven aesthetic. [2 May 2003, p.70]
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  7. Splendid
    30
    While a few of the songs -- like BMG's team-up with Esthero for a cover of "White Rabbit" -- may generate momentary interest, they all sound a little too much like commercial radio fodder, their quirks depressingly predictable.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. JuneB
    Mar 15, 2005
    10
    Very diverse. A very high level of harmonic flow, something you can't capture Live.
  2. JoshH
    Jun 15, 2003
    10
    I bought this album two days ago, and have listened to it about 20 times since. It's a wonderful album, and should satisfy fans of I bought this album two days ago, and have listened to it about 20 times since. It's a wonderful album, and should satisfy fans of BMG's first album, Audio, while bringing in a new audience. I've read several reviews on The Complex, and disagree with a few of them - One thing this album is not is predictable. One thing that it is is genius.… Expand
  4. Dave
    Apr 25, 2003
    9
    You either get the music of the Blue Man, or you don't. If you are a big fan of their shows, and if you liked Audio, then you will like You either get the music of the Blue Man, or you don't. If you are a big fan of their shows, and if you liked Audio, then you will like this CD. … Expand
  5. markp
    Feb 7, 2007
    2
    Pretentious, cold, repetitive, exaggerated without any intelligent humor. A friend raved about it, I think it is boring. Bang bang bang pvc Pretentious, cold, repetitive, exaggerated without any intelligent humor. A friend raved about it, I think it is boring. Bang bang bang pvc over and out.… Expand

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