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The Decline Of British Sea Power Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

  • Summary: Oft-compared to Joy Division, this unique British four-piece sports single-word names (Hamilton, Noble, Yan, and Wood), dons military apparel for their live shows, and tackles dark, weighty themes in their lyrics (Czech history, anyone)? 'The Decline' marks their full-length debut, drawingOft-compared to Joy Division, this unique British four-piece sports single-word names (Hamilton, Noble, Yan, and Wood), dons military apparel for their live shows, and tackles dark, weighty themes in their lyrics (Czech history, anyone)? 'The Decline' marks their full-length debut, drawing critical praise on both sides of the Atlantic. Expand

Top Track

Remember Me
Do you worry about your health Do you watch it slowly change And when you listen to yourself, does it feel like somebody else And did you notice when... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. An enchanting, rhapsodic album of uncommon depth.
  2. Blender
    90
    British Sea Power's vision makes most independent rock seem callow and weak-minded. [Sep 2003, p. 119]
  3. Uncut
    90
    A riveting debut packed with ideas and invention. [Jul 2003, p.126]
  4. British Sea Power have the talent and vision to be a truly inspirational new guitar band.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    An intriguing debut. [Nov 2003, p.108]
  6. Basically, it's the album they'd always promised us they'd make; consider 'The Decline...' British Sea Power's entrance pass to the ranks of the truly mighty.
  7. The mish-mash of moods and modes leaves little from which to gather a theme.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. G
    Nov 23, 2006
    10
    A truely astounding album.
  2. nickd
    Jan 9, 2004
    10
    See, people who say "the emporer has no clothes" should be shot for music fascism. Fantastic record, bombasic, pompous (14-minute long tracks See, people who say "the emporer has no clothes" should be shot for music fascism. Fantastic record, bombasic, pompous (14-minute long tracks and 41-second monk chanting, anyone?). It's not that arty, it's just great music. Now excuse me, I'm just off to murder the idiot who gave it 2. Expand
  3. ahmose
    Sep 24, 2005
    10
    This a great album. Great lyrics, melodies. A classic.
  4. RANDYF
    Jan 27, 2004
    9
    Not just great songs. It's a great album. My favorite since Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.
  5. Jan 31, 2014
    9
    A truly original and stunning record. Comparisons with Joy Division are nonsense. They are musically more gifted than that. TestosteroneA truly original and stunning record. Comparisons with Joy Division are nonsense. They are musically more gifted than that. Testosterone addled worshippers of dumb ass cock rock who have mistakenly picked up this record and slagged it off on this site go and stick your heads in the oven. Expand
  6. WO
    Feb 22, 2004
    9
    This is such a great album. The only problem I had with it is I felt it began to lose momentum at about song 7; however, it picked up in a This is such a great album. The only problem I had with it is I felt it began to lose momentum at about song 7; however, it picked up in a big way towards the end. Expand
  7. Oct 29, 2014
    7
    BSP introduced themselves with a record that shows a musical and thematic ambition you just don't get very often on debut albums. It'sBSP introduced themselves with a record that shows a musical and thematic ambition you just don't get very often on debut albums. It's straightforwards drums and bass playing with layers of sharp, sometimes dirty, guitars on top. Wilkinson is a more than capable vocalist although his style makes it quite difficult to hear what he's saying. This is a solid album, sequenced perfectly with a handful of excellent tracks that grab you along the way. Highlights include "Apologies to Insect Life", "Something Wicked" and the great trio of tracks found in the centre of the album where the band hit you with "Fear of Drowning", "The Lonely" and "Carrion" in the space of a quarter hour. If only I could here those lyrics. Expand

See all 15 User Reviews