The Meadowlands - The Wrens
The Meadowlands Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 88 Ratings

  • Summary: The indie rockers took four years to record this third album.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Meadowlands is absolutely essential.
  2. In trading the adolescent kick of Secaucus for ripened resignation, meticulous refinement for crippling maturation, they have realized their magnum opus.
  3. A stunning return filled with irresistible pop of all varieties.... Note to major labels: you missed a gem. [#5, p.116]
  4. The Meadowlands represents an impressive triumph of persistence over talent. [Oct 2005, p.121]

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 63
  3. Negative: 1 out of 63
  1. PimW.
    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 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! Expand
  2. TtableWhy
    8
    I had never heard of Wrens before and this is not the type of music I usually would expect to like, given that it is (for want of a better description) straightforward bar-band type rock'n'roll with just guitar, bass, drums, vocals and no real sparkly guitar riffs/melodies/solos. It is quite dark and chordy. I usually prefer psychedelic, "creative", bright melodic stuff like Super Furry Animals, Of Montreal. "This boy is exhausted" was the only song to really attract me on first listen. After about 4 listens, though I began to love all of the songs. The song structures really seep through and the depth and melodies are really beautiful and the singing is great and passionate. Its my favourite album of 2006 along with Destroyer and Midlake and Final Fantasy. Expand
  3. captaintruth
    6
    Not bad ... most of the songs drag it out a bit too long, which isn't helped by the plodding tempos, even on the "rock" songs like Everyone Chooses Sides -- sort of a poor man's Urge Overkill. The acoustic songs are better, but nothing about the playing is going to grab you. Expand
  4. Eurospeaking
    1
    I thought indie was dead and buried. Sadly... it's not! This CD mainly contains a sickening mix of immature ballads and nerdy skaterboi-up-tempo tracks; obviously made to please pubertile 14 yos with an issue... Expand

See all 63 User Reviews