The Music
by The Music
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Spin
    58
    What's most British about the Music is their tendency to try way too hard. [Apr 2003, p.108]
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  2. Q Magazine
    60
    The album rallies at the halfway point, becoming a straightforward old-fashioned metal affair. [Sep 2002, p.102]
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  3. Playlouder
    20
    How anyone can describe Leeds' The Music as a "best new band" is beyond me. Unless they're over fifty, sport a footballer's perm and weep at Almost Famous.
  5. Dot Music
    40
    For now at least this is the sound of a band trying to do too much at once and sinking under the weight of their heroes.
  6. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    The band's formula for its high-energy, rock-dance mélange is quite simple; take youthful exuberance (average age: 19), add an exceptionally-tight rhythm section, and let the superfluous, over-indulgent jams flow, as they most certainly do over the course of ten songs and just over 55 minutes on this most promising debut.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The Music create psychedelia with a dash of druggy Manchester brashness. [28 Feb 2003, p.80]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    The songwriting needs a personality infusion and more gray cells, but numbers such as "The Dance" have the enthusiasm of a puppy powered by a nuclear reactor, making the Music an apt opening act for the likes of New Order and Coldplay.
  9. PopMatters
    40
    A hollow release, the veneer of a good album covering up an otherwise unremarkable and sometimes disappointing collection of songs.
  10. E! Online
    42
    A headache-inducing mess of rehashed classic rock riffs and stale grooves.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    59
    The combined effect is gargantuan. It’s big, it’s fast, it’s loud, it’s got a backbeat you can’t move with a juggernaught and it’s definitely not clever.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Their all-or-nothing ambition is exhilarating, however raw the execution.
  13. Mojo
    40
    The formula eventually sags. [Oct 2002, p.92]
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  14. Pitchfork
    47
    Sounds overproduced and underdeveloped.
  15. AllMusic
    90
    The Music is an incredible effort and a brilliant example of where rock could be headed.
  16. Uncut
    70
    Though it flags towards the end, The Music is, for the most part, a shot in the arm. [Oct 2002, p.110]
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  17. Blender
    40
    Their youthful gusto is admirable. The results, alas, are not. [#14, p.141]
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Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Shared Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 4 out of 15
  1. Joey_Khaos
    Jan 16, 2016
    9
    Awesome album from a very underrated band, I could never understand how 'The Music' were not more appreciated. Recently rediscovered thisAwesome album from a very underrated band, I could never understand how 'The Music' were not more appreciated. Recently rediscovered this album when going through some old CDs, it definitely stands the test of time.… Full Review »
  2. SeamusS
    Aug 15, 2005
    7
    Its A Good Album. They Need To Learn How To Write Songs (lyricly) though their sound is dynamic enough to pass for a decent album and an Its A Good Album. They Need To Learn How To Write Songs (lyricly) though their sound is dynamic enough to pass for a decent album and an amazing live show. They're better live. Go See them doing that!.… Full Review »
  3. NorthFreedomFighter
    Apr 6, 2005
    8
    Huge in scope, huge in delivery, but definitely not for everyone. If your idea of a great rock record is anything mainstream or in the likes Huge in scope, huge in delivery, but definitely not for everyone. If your idea of a great rock record is anything mainstream or in the likes of U2 you probably won't quite get what they're trying to do here. If you dig it, all the more power to your adventurous side.… Full Review »
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