The Flying Club Cup
by Beirut
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 54
  3. Negative: 2 out of 54

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Luigi
    Oct 14, 2007
    8
    I don't think this sophomore work is better than the debut disc. Nevertheless is pleasant, interesting and also intriguing.
  2. jotaeseche
    Aug 3, 2014
    10
    Less exuberant than the previous project, but with a much deeper and sadder meaning, it is hardly possible to imagine that an even more versatile and joyful album could be done by Beirut. But they did it. At the end, it feels like a congruent, medieval and superb fairy tail that is (ironically) very real.
  3. Jordan
    Dec 10, 2007
    10
    Best album of 2007 IMO.
  4. TiagoF.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums this year by far.
  5. matta
    Oct 16, 2007
    8
    Not quite as gorgeous as his debut but still mostly wonderful. It's currently hovering right outside my top twenty of the year.
  6. BDub
    Oct 17, 2007
    8
    Definitely one of my top ten of the year. I like this album a little more than their debut, it's a little more upbeat. I also felt that their debut fell off towards the end and that this album is more consistent. I have to say that i can usually predict metascores well and was shocked to see this album not highlighted as critically acclaimed. I recommend this album to fans of Definitely one of my top ten of the year. I like this album a little more than their debut, it's a little more upbeat. I also felt that their debut fell off towards the end and that this album is more consistent. I have to say that i can usually predict metascores well and was shocked to see this album not highlighted as critically acclaimed. I recommend this album to fans of Decemberists, and DeVotchka, as they also use an old world sound. Personally i like Beirut more than both of them.… Expand
  7. dg
    Nov 7, 2007
    10
    Just beautiful music, with so many different sounds!
  8. EricC.
    Nov 29, 2007
    9
    Well, they found their own sound and use it extremely well, something very few bands can say. The lack of guitars is bound to turn off more mainstream listeners, but once you get in to it, you realize that they don't need them, at all. A little over the top at times, but the mournful vocals are a strength in the end. Though very different, they somehow remind me of the Arcade Fire, a Well, they found their own sound and use it extremely well, something very few bands can say. The lack of guitars is bound to turn off more mainstream listeners, but once you get in to it, you realize that they don't need them, at all. A little over the top at times, but the mournful vocals are a strength in the end. Though very different, they somehow remind me of the Arcade Fire, a band that never lacks critical and public acclaim. So I can't help but be excited when I listen to this album, easily one of the year's best, because I hear endless potential. These guys are bound to produce a classic that will blow the indie scene away. Until then, we have two very good releases that will hopefully get them noticed.… Expand
  9. TomH.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    A great second album from Beirut, beautiful and well worhty of critic's praise for it.
  10. conquistadori
    Sep 4, 2010
    10
    To this day, this is the most beautiful album I have ever heard. It thrives on swelling melodies that reach deep down into you and pull every emotion out. Zach Condon is a prodigy.
  11. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    This album has to be among my top 5 favorites of all time. What a beautiful masterpiece. Every song leads to the other perfectly and ends with such an amazing journey of a song with "The Flying Club Cup".
  12. cryhardhumor
    Jul 24, 2015
    9
    Something different, but unlike so many other "different" indie bands it isn't self important and different just for the sake of it, but perfectly blends the lyrics into the style of music for a new and yet somehow at the same time old sound.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Amazon.com
    80
    It's a more pensive presentation--dare I say it: more mature.
    Read full review
  2. BBC collective
    80
    The new album conjures something of Condon’s own imagination, more deftly-etched romantic fiction than dry travelogue, and is all the better for it.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    70
    It's difficult at times, though, to pick out one song against another and some tracks are too same-y or too heavy-eyed for a second glance.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »