The Golden Hour
by Firewater
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's some of Firewater's angriest, most poignant, and most accomplished music.
  2. Under The Radar
    80
    Tod A had to leave the country to write Firewater’s latest, but his quest has resulted in their best album yet. [Summer 2008]
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  3. Dusted Magazine
    70
    It’s a testament to the strength of Ashley’s reality, and more importantly his adaptability, that the album holds together at all. Although it draws on half a continent’s worth of source material, The Golden Hour still bears, at every turn, the dark, swaggering cynicism that has always defined Firewater.
  5. PopMatters
    70
    It defies, nay challenges, you not to tap your feet or, heaven forbid, dance.
  6. The A.V. Club
    67
    When stretching things out to an hour, Firewater—a predecessor to Gogol Bordello, Beirut, and any other indie group assimilating Balkan-esque influences—haven't made a record as concise or clever as it should have been, but they can still knock out an anthem ("6:45") with refreshing confidence.
  7. Uncut
    60
    Predictably, it's all over the map, but The Golden Hour fizzes with invention. [July 2008, p.106]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. JOH00060
    Sep 20, 2019
    9
    A journey worth taking Tod A tells stories similar to Leonard Coen. If you liked Cop shoot cop you will love Firewater.
  2. MichaelLevy
    Oct 27, 2012
    9
    Consistently strong collection, without a bad song on it. "This Is My Life" is a standout. It's more in the Gogol Bordello neighborhood thanConsistently strong collection, without a bad song on it. "This Is My Life" is a standout. It's more in the Gogol Bordello neighborhood than the Tom Waits neighborhood (which is where previous Firewater releases were, in my opinion). I imagine if you're not familiar with Tod A's outlook, the lyrical content could get a little wearisome. But as a Cop Shoot Cop fan, I was ready, and really responded to this material.… Full Review »
  3. CharlieQ.
    Jul 17, 2008
    8
    Uniquely fascinating, eminently listenable, entertaining and frequently inspiring. The lead track "Borneo" will stick in your head for weeks.
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