Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Meadowlands is absolutely essential.
  2. With about twenty killer lines or couplets per song, unexpected hooks coming from everywhere and one of the most ingenious track sequences of the year, it’s not really so hard to imagine what The Wrens have been doing all this time.
  3. With all four members taking the mic, cohesion should hardly be expected. Yet, for all the different styles the band employs on this album, all but the closing number seem indelibly stamped as this band's work, uniquely The Wrens.
  4. It's possible that The Meadowlands might be a "better" album if it were more focused and logical, but there's something to be said for its immersive, stream-of-consciousness approach.
  5. Unlike the overstuffed Silver or Seacaucus, The Meadowlands manages to reveal the expanse of the Wrens' vision without trading on their intimate charms.
  6. The Wrens experiment with sounds and textures you don't normally hear in so-called "rock" records, but unlike many groups, they manage to do this in a way that attracts attention without upstaging the actual music. And the songwriting just keeps getting better; there isn't a lackluster track in the bunch.
  7. In trading the adolescent kick of Secaucus for ripened resignation, meticulous refinement for crippling maturation, they have realized their magnum opus.
  8. Under The Radar
    80
    A stunning return filled with irresistible pop of all varieties.... Note to major labels: you missed a gem. [#5, p.116]
  9. A fascinating, brokenhearted mess of a record.
  10. Q Magazine
    40
    The Meadowlands represents an impressive triumph of persistence over talent. [Oct 2005, p.121]
  11. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    The ultimate rare treasure. [24 Sep 2005, p.47]
  12. Mojo
    80
    They've perfected their emo pop. [Jan 2006, p.132]
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 92 out of 103
  2. Negative: 9 out of 103
  1. Sep 14, 2017
    10
    Nothing short of essential. Packed with emotion, none of it facile, and laden with surprising hooks throughout. Every time I listen, I amNothing short of essential. Packed with emotion, none of it facile, and laden with surprising hooks throughout. Every time I listen, I am amazed anew. Full Review »
  2. PimW.
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    Wow. It feels like receiving a precious gift to discover an album like this. Never heard of the Wrens before but gave it a try after reading Wow. It feels like receiving a precious gift to discover an album like this. Never heard of the Wrens before but gave it a try after reading all the user comments at metacritic. three months later and I am still overwhelmed by the pure quality and originallity of the music. Every song has great in- and outro's and unbelievably sticky melodies. Still, the diversity is great. All songs add something to the whole instead of repeating another. Not being able to get the tunes out of my head is probably the only negativity I can think of with this masterpiece. Can''t wait for the Wrens to bring out the next. Give it a try, at least 5 times and you'll be sold completely. Enjoy! Full Review »
  3. JamesS.
    Aug 10, 2007
    10
    Someone must have paid a pretty penny to have Q-magazine to lie and bring their metascore down. This is truely a one band in a million's Someone must have paid a pretty penny to have Q-magazine to lie and bring their metascore down. This is truely a one band in a million's masterpiece. If you spread the songs out over ten different albums with a bunch of filler (ala major label spin), ever one of these songs would be a hit single. The Wrens deserves so much more respect and praise. Full Review »