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The Flying Club Cup
by
The Flying Club Cup Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

  • Summary: The follow-up album from the trio headed by Zach Condon.

Top Track

Nantes
Well it's been a long time, long time now since I've seen you smile And I'll gamble away my fright and I'll gamble away my time And in a year, a year... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Stylus Magazine
    91
    The debut album was good, but this is better. Much, much better; the kind of record I will happily and willingly return to long after this review is dead and buried.
  2. Magnet
    90
    This album, like its predecessor, is stunning. [Fall 2007, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The A.V. Club
    83
    Condon's theatrical croon and rich string arrangements hold the album together while it tells a musical story about the acculturation of the boozy.
  4. Q Magazine
    80
    Any charges of cultural tourism are rebuffed by the magnificence of the music. [Nov 2007, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Dot Music
    80
    Like a feral Arcade Fire making whoopee in the Third Republic, The Flying Cup Club is an often magical listen and deserving of a wider audience than it will probably reach.
  6. 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.
  7. PopMatters
    50
    On this disc, Beirut is a one trick pony, albeit one with a pretty good trick.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 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 moreLess 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.… Expand
  2. 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 everyTo 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.… Expand
  4. TiagoF.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums this year by far.
  5. 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 withThis 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".… Collapse
  6. 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 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
  7. 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, butSomething 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.… Expand
  8. 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.

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Album of 2007

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