Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. You will be hearing more about Pop Levi. For now I'd recommend you simply hear more of Pop Levi-this shit is fantastic.
  2. Pop Levi is an oddball, an eccentric in the finest English tradition and a man who evokes the effortless, timeless cool of many and varied heroes of modern music's life and times.
  3. Nobody is putting out music like Pop Levi's right now.
  4. [Levi] has an impeccable ear for a hook and packs his album full of them.
  5. There's barely a dull moment on this album.
  6. An admirably cocksure debut on which Levi makes like a 21st century T. Rex-- which, our current retro-obsessed rock culture notwithstanding, is not an easy thing to pull off.
  7. 80
    No vintage-gear replicator, he's modern-sounding, fresh, fun--a genuine contender for 2007. [Mar 2007, p.105]
  8. 80
    Imagine Bolan produced by Prince, then scrambled by Beck, and you're only halfway there. [Mar 2007, p.85]
  9. The album's dark title belies its artful balancing of psych pop's sweetness with head-down, rock riffing and the emotional power of the blues.
  10. Levi pulls off his flamboyant persona because he has the meticulously structured songs to carry it.
  11. Certainly Levi's mannered vocal style, with its brittle helium edge, requires a bit of commitment from the listener. Immerse yourself in Black Magick Party's world, though, and you will become hopelessly attached.
  12. The off-kilter, old-fi production, mixed by Thom Monahan... pays generational homage like Prince or Beck.
  13. If Simple Kid is too simple for you, if you always liked Supergrass but never thought they pushed their material to its astral conclusion and felt their retro musings were a little too close to the original blueprint, then this baby, is for you.
  14. Such is the man's zest and pinballing musical imagination that it's hard not to be wildly entertained. [Mar 2007, p.115]
  15. If Pop Levi's intention was to create an ornate pop star persona, then he's definitely succeeded. However, his songwriting skills leave a lot to be desired.
  16. He should recognise that his overlong songs could use a trim, but there is depth beyond the Willy Wonka weirdness.
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. MelissaK
    9
    I just saw Pop Levi's show last night @ the Double Door, Chicago IL. The man has such stage presence, its amazing!! Yea, his dancing might be odd to some...but to me its just another way he expresses himself through his amazing music! Plus what a guitarist!! Jeez! I could go on forever how great the show was!! Plus it was pretty awesome to hang w/him afterwards! Full Review »
  2. ConorB
    8
    A bubbly album that has the essence of the Scissor Sisters yet more consistent in the same style as opposed to change.
  3. matta
    6
    I was pretty underwhelmed by this album. Maybe I bought into the hype a little too much, but I expected more. Sounds like Of Montreal if they were a lot less interesting. Full Review »