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The Loon
by
The Loon Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 58 Ratings

  • Summary: The Minneapolis band's debut full-length has drawn comparisons to Pavement.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    You will not be able to tear yourself away from this album. This is no daringly outrageous, Kid A-esque “progressive” music that nobody really enjoys listening to. This is rock 'n roll.
  2. Urb
    90
    This rocking trio is so good, we don't even care that it made a plethora of best-of-2005 lists--it'll end up on our rocking list for the '06. [Jul/Aug 2006, p.132]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The Loon excites with twisty guitar tangents, an airtight country two-step, and commanding choruses that Grier belts out with the fervor of a preacher. [28 Jul 2006, p.67]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Austin Chronicle
    78
    The Loon is an exercise in heavy-lidded ballsiness.
  5. Uncut
    70
    They've yet to match the live genius of the [Arcade] Fire, but their album's got much more life than their static stage shows. [Aug 2006, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Under The Radar
    60
    It’s not hard to grasp the appeal of their music; it’s just hard to understand why it’s eliciting such a strong response. [#14]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. E! Online
    50
    [A] thoroughly underwhelming debut, an album that merely paints within the lines already drawn by Pavement and the Pixies.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 36
  3. Negative: 4 out of 36
  1. JeffS
    May 3, 2006
    10
    An incredible album which takes diverse influences and emulsifies them into catchy, relexive pop-rock songs. Can't stop saying enough An incredible album which takes diverse influences and emulsifies them into catchy, relexive pop-rock songs. Can't stop saying enough good things about this album. Clear pavement influence is not "ripping off"... not when it all sounds this fresh. Malkmus only wishes his tunes were this good at this point.… Expand
  2. Gonzo
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    This album is breathstealing!Fantastic riffs,melodies and a lots of energy...
  4. Marc
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    This is just really, really good. Pure and simple.
  5. DaveB
    May 17, 2006
    9
    Original, energetic album that really sticks with you after a couple listens. The sequencing, style and dynamic changes really make this a Original, energetic album that really sticks with you after a couple listens. The sequencing, style and dynamic changes really make this a great album to listen to straight through, yet each song stands up well on its own. Simply put, as the DOA reviewer stated, "You will not be able to tear yourself away from this album."… Collapse
  6. romanmc
    May 5, 2006
    8
    It's kind of amusing that someone would call these guys out for ripping off certain bands when he's ripping off certain critics It's kind of amusing that someone would call these guys out for ripping off certain bands when he's ripping off certain critics who've already made the Pavement and Pixies connections. Just listen to it and forget what you may have read by some critic. TnT's approach is novel and not anymore derivative than 99% of the music out there. "Manitoba," "Just Dreams" and "Transistor" are awesome. Some of the rest of it is...eh...but those three tracks make it worth the effort.… Expand
  7. JustinD
    Sep 5, 2006
    6
    Decent. Kind of fun to listen to. But grossly overrated and overhyped and not really that great. I've lived in the Twin CIties my whole Decent. Kind of fun to listen to. But grossly overrated and overhyped and not really that great. I've lived in the Twin CIties my whole life so I feel some hometown obligation to love and push this record but I can't do it. Too much of a rip off. Most of them aren't even from here anyways ;)… Expand
  8. jason
    Apr 28, 2006
    0
    given their wholesale ripping off of pavement, with much credit also being due the pixies, this band offers nothing unique. move along; given their wholesale ripping off of pavement, with much credit also being due the pixies, this band offers nothing unique. move along; nothing new to hear here.… Expand

See all 36 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Album of 2006

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