User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 58
  2. Negative: 2 out of 58

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  1. TimN
    Jul 30, 2004
    10
    This album is stunning. It?s short, spikey and to the point. Old enough to know better? Not 'arf.
  2. Kev118
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    Quite simply the greatest thing to come out of sunderland of all time, apart from me, obviously.
  3. EchoD
    Aug 1, 2004
    9
    Well executed. A lot of fun, too.
  4. SmokeCella
    Aug 9, 2004
    10
    Absolutely amazing album. Best in years.
  5. jeni
    Feb 6, 2005
    10
    i went to one of their concerts not knowing who they were and came out stunned that music could get that good, they are truly amazing
  6. Kirby'sAvalanche.
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    An original ingredient added to a tried-and-true formula. Catchy brain-glue harmonys (Beach Boys) over angular skin-piercing rhythms (Gang of Four).
  7. MattB
    Aug 6, 2004
    10
    Amazing
  8. kellylerock
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    simply the best british debut since Elastica. best seen live, the album is true to the band's frenetic, tight execution of these great new wave songs. Best album of the year by miles.
  9. SalemE
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    Think the Hives, if they by some sort of stroke of genius decided to incorporate the vocals of a barbershop quartet (with British accents). Yes, it's THAT cool. Tons of hooks, great melodies...these songs will be in your head all day long even after just one listen. Plus they've got one of the best lines to ever be sung: "You eat sh** cuz you're stupid and shallow." Do Think the Hives, if they by some sort of stroke of genius decided to incorporate the vocals of a barbershop quartet (with British accents). Yes, it's THAT cool. Tons of hooks, great melodies...these songs will be in your head all day long even after just one listen. Plus they've got one of the best lines to ever be sung: "You eat sh** cuz you're stupid and shallow." Do yourself a favor and get this CD...and while you're at it, go see them live. You won't be disappointed. Expand
  10. SteveD
    Oct 12, 2005
    10
    XTC for the 21st Century. Lots of angles, lots of bite and Hounds Of Love is a masterpiece.
  11. CazA
    Feb 12, 2005
    10
    The Futureheads make music that makes you believe British music is as great as it used to be!
  12. AshleyM
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    What an amazing album this is. It far surpasses the post-punk needling of other groups like The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, the Strokes, The Sounds, and all of those other Johnny Come Lately post-post punk Wire enthusiasts I'd say the sound they have captured is between The Fall and Fugazi, but completely devoid of pretense or politics. Its a very fun album, which is always welcome in What an amazing album this is. It far surpasses the post-punk needling of other groups like The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, the Strokes, The Sounds, and all of those other Johnny Come Lately post-post punk Wire enthusiasts I'd say the sound they have captured is between The Fall and Fugazi, but completely devoid of pretense or politics. Its a very fun album, which is always welcome in my disc player. Expand
  13. PaulJ
    Apr 3, 2005
    10
    This album is beyond anything i have listened to in the last 2 years and what sets it even further apart from other albums, is i am only truly truly amazed by 1 track! "Hounds Of Love" is just addictive. *Allows song to repeat for 27th time today* Brilliant band, brilliant songs, brilliant experience.
  14. PaulM
    Jul 14, 2005
    4
    This album makes my head hurt. Intensely annoying except for the entertaining Kate Bush cover.
  15. JerryL
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    A perfect record from start to finish. Brilliant. Great live band as well.
  16. DuncanS
    Feb 18, 2006
    1
    Seriously one of the worst, most annoying records I've ever heard. The a capella, the "harmonising", the tuneless "mod-ness". Its only saving grace is the occasional decent lyric.
  17. Ah-oh-oh(Ah-oh-oh)
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    Probably the best band in the world. New album April 11 in Canada. Seriously, with Radiohead and Deerhoof in terms of songwriting ability.
  18. MarkA
    Dec 10, 2004
    10
    This is completely brilliant in every way. All the tracks are ace and 'Hounds of Love' is literally flawless. Buy this today!!!!
  19. HairPulley
    Dec 9, 2004
    10
    This album can only be summed up in a joyous grunt, fist in air. The Futurehead's self-titled debut shows us what we have needed in a long time and now I can't live without it. "Decent Days and Nights", undoubtedly, is the best song of 2004. The harmonies that come out of their voices definetly seperates them from other bands. "Le Garage" and "First Day" combines energetic This album can only be summed up in a joyous grunt, fist in air. The Futurehead's self-titled debut shows us what we have needed in a long time and now I can't live without it. "Decent Days and Nights", undoubtedly, is the best song of 2004. The harmonies that come out of their voices definetly seperates them from other bands. "Le Garage" and "First Day" combines energetic guitar-riffing with soaring vocals. Now, that my friends, is what makes a debut make it seem impossible for the second album to improve on. There is nothing to improve. Sunderland's finest. Expand
  20. BenJ
    Dec 9, 2004
    8
    Brilliant! No solos, loads of things going on, plenty of great tunes, takes time to absorb - a wonderful album. DECENT DAYS AND NIGHTS! indeed...
  21. andyc
    Aug 14, 2004
    9
    great album, robot and carnival kids take best tracks prize,a brilliant debut album from young mackem band,upstarts and the toy dolls have another to join the sunderland hall of fame...
  22. BrianC
    Aug 24, 2004
    7
    To get an idea of how this sounds, imagine early XTC, minus Colin Moulding, with Andy Partdidge's songwriting skills reduced by 25%. That's still pretty good, but if fans of this CD are not familiar with XYC, give them a listen. Particularly "Drums and Wires" and "Black Sea." When The Futureheads put out CDs of that caliber they will deserve the accolades they've already To get an idea of how this sounds, imagine early XTC, minus Colin Moulding, with Andy Partdidge's songwriting skills reduced by 25%. That's still pretty good, but if fans of this CD are not familiar with XYC, give them a listen. Particularly "Drums and Wires" and "Black Sea." When The Futureheads put out CDs of that caliber they will deserve the accolades they've already been getting. Expand
  23. AdamX
    Aug 3, 2004
    5
    very noisy, but will so much actually going on theres remarkably little direction...
  24. AlexK
    Jan 16, 2005
    10
    Ridiculously good.
  25. BradS
    Jul 11, 2005
    5
    This album is blatantly overhyped. While not a terrible work, it most certainly lacks the substance and cohesiveness of a great album. The frantic pace, repitiveness and lack of depth left me altogether unimpressed.
  26. lucaf
    Jul 27, 2005
    8
    yes, the futureheads are a brilliant band indeed, but at the same time their debut is not a real masterwork. It's a promise, a consistent promise.
  27. AnnieR
    Aug 11, 2005
    10
    Excellent in concert, excellent chaps, excellent CD. Cheers guys, cannae wait for the next release!
  28. DamianaV
    Sep 16, 2005
    10
    Thoroughly brilliant, obscenely exciting. A masterwork that dazzles with every listen.
  29. rubbadubba
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    super kick ass
  30. ElizabethJ
    Jul 16, 2006
    10
    It so Great. WhEn i saw thm at the franz ferdinand cosetrt there songs were cool. I especially like 'sKip 2 tHe EnD'.
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Blender
    70
    The proceedings get a little bit samey, but the band's fearless optimism and knack for a bookish groove are hard to deny. [Dec 2004, p.140]
  2. Q Magazine
    80
    An exuberant debut. [Aug 2004, p.110]
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    A sparkly, concise art-rock delight. [10 Jul 2004, p.47]