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The Sunlandic Twins Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 62 Ratings

  • Summary: Kevin Barnes' eighth Of Montreal disc finds the Georgian heading into more electronic territory, enlisting his laptop to assist in the recording process. Music on a laptop--who knew?
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Barnes has created some utterly brilliant compositions, captured a perfect blend of melodic energy and sincerity while never sacrificing catchiness, and has used both achievements to create one of this year’s most cathartically fun albums.
  2. Part of what makes Of Montreal notable is the quantity of things Barnes does impeccably.
  3. Though not perfect, it's unlikely 2005 will see many records eclipsing The Sunlandic Twins.
  4. For all its delectable dance tracks, infused with Barnes’ latest influences of Afrobeat, disco and electronic music, The Sunlandic Twins still offers thoughtful lyrics and emotionally heady songs.
  5. The second half lacks the spirited kick of the first.
  6. Q Magazine
    70
    A trip worth taking. [Jun 2005, p.116]
  7. Uncut
    60
    For all this sonic broad-mindedness, the Twins' ideas are piled on a lightweight core, and good luck making sense of the lyrics. [Jul 2005, p.104]

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. EdgarH
    May 2, 2007
    10
    Awesome!
  2. Joel
    Sep 19, 2006
    10
    Great album, solid all the way thru
  3. DJ
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    A joy to listen to. This is one of those albums you can't stop listening to, no matter how you try. And I mean that in a good way.
  4. JoshC
    May 6, 2005
    9
    Haven't heard any of Barnes' previous work, but I think this is one of the funnest records I've heard all year. It's Haven't heard any of Barnes' previous work, but I think this is one of the funnest records I've heard all year. It's sugary and poppy, but with subversive lyrics, interesting structures and some cool sonic subtleties. Expand
  5. IsaacC
    Dec 25, 2006
    9
    The ability to throw out concept albums is just some 2/10ths of Kevin Barnes' forte. But let's refrain from the words "throw out" The ability to throw out concept albums is just some 2/10ths of Kevin Barnes' forte. But let's refrain from the words "throw out" and instead replace them with some more suitable and thought provoking.Those like 'create' and 'craft' -those that describe his creation process as something more extraordinary. The Sunlandic Twins is a story based on a dream had by Barnes' wife. In the story, a set of twins(represented as Barnes' and his wife) are cast to a land called Sunlandia. A place where acceptance and discovery are only half of their bestowed voyage. The tale deepens as, through their trials, the twins are bonded closer and closer together to a state of sheer dependence-evidenced by tracks like "So Begins Our Alabee". On the musical side, tracks like "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" mirror Of Montreal's reputation-catchy melodies backed by dance-able beats and bass lines. The Sunlandic Twins is an evident artistic masterpiece if handled by the right hands-and ears. Collapse
  6. AlistairM
    Aug 22, 2005
    9
    Infectious summer tunes with smart lyrics
  7. NathanE
    Apr 16, 2005
    2
    Dreadful forced zaniness pervades this record while is so unrecognizable from their best work that it's best avoided. The hipsters will Dreadful forced zaniness pervades this record while is so unrecognizable from their best work that it's best avoided. The hipsters will love it, but they probably also won't be wondering where the tunes and lyrics have gone. Expand

See all 36 User Reviews