The Last Romance
by Arab Strap
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. AllMusic
    70
    [Moffat] exposes a seething rage that was only occasionally revealed on the earlier albums. In the minds of some Arab Strap fans, this is a breakthrough; others, sadly, hear a betrayal.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Those who stick with Arab Strap will discover endearing wit and vulnerability in the duo's songs, as well as tender melodies and graceful acoustic playing. [Apr 2006, p.204]
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  3. Amazon.com
    80
    Despondent and furious by turns.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    89
    Ten tracks equal one very explicit diary entry of lust – for life, as much as intimacy – nearly every single line worthy of another song cycle.
  6. cokemachineglow
    79
    The Last Romance, for all its disgusted veneer and inner conflict, both reads like a cogent statement and plays like a finely tuned instrument.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    70
    It's feverish, unbalanced, disturbing, and for the most part captivating.
  8. Dusted Magazine
    70
    Malcolm Middleton’s electric and bass guitars have never sounded so big, and they’re better that way.
  9. Filter
    82
    We come to this band expected to be thrown down the Trainspotting toilet, and this is exactly where The Last Romance takes us. [#19, p.90]
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  10. Lost At Sea
    90
    Triumphant, bitter, despondent, but never false or insincere, The Last Romance is one of the early great listens of 2006.
  11. Magnet
    80
    Arab Strap's most affecting album yet. [#71, p.86]
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  12. Mojo
    80
    Theirs remains a gallows wit. [Nov 2005, p.112]
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  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    In among the usual awkward, bad sex and sharp-yet-jaundiced eye on what others settle for, there's something unusual for this pair: hope. [12 Nov 2005, p.45]
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  14. Playlouder
    80
    With 'The Last Romance', a whole lot of people are at last going to fall in love with Arab Strap for the very first time.
  15. PopMatters
    90
    It is astonishing that after a 10-year long affair Arab Strap can make a record as compelling as this.
  16. Spin
    75
    Romance is zippier and tighter than previous beer cries. [Mar 2006, p.95]
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  17. The A.V. Club
    83
    Arab Strap's dark, funny, miserable, and--gasp--catchy The Last Romance sounds like the album Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton wouldn't let themselves make in the past, but finally relented to.
  18. Uncut
    80
    The implausible but winning transformation is complete: Arab Strap have made a genuinely uplifting record. [Dec 2005, p.109]
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  19. Urb
    80
    [Their] rain-soaked misery [is] now nicely offset by a simmering rage. [May 2006, p.82]
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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. dougieM
    Oct 25, 2006
    9
    Shame this is their last original album. Starting with the biting "Stink" and ending with the uplifting "there's no Ending" this is Shame this is their last original album. Starting with the biting "Stink" and ending with the uplifting "there's no Ending" this is classic Strap. Over half of the album is the group at their best. The rest doesn't fall far short of the mark either. A career high!!… Full Review »
  2. DavidM
    Apr 18, 2006
    6
    There's little here that's poor, which is the only way to account for its near 80 metacritic rating, but even less that's There's little here that's poor, which is the only way to account for its near 80 metacritic rating, but even less that's truly exciting...sometimes I feel the whole album is just setup for the excellent brass lines that close the last song.… Full Review »
  3. Simon
    Mar 30, 2006
    7
    Agree with Matt. Arab Strap's best work lies within this album, but there's still some filler on it. I have the feeling Agree with Matt. Arab Strap's best work lies within this album, but there's still some filler on it. I have the feeling they'll get it right one day, though.… Full Review »
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