Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Understanding - Röyksopp
The Understanding Image
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The duo's second album is far more vocal-oriented, and darker, than their debut.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Under The Radar
    90
    An immersive experience that has unexpected turns and deep emotions at the core of every song. [#10, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Playlouder
    90
    Sophomore set of the century, near enough.
  3. Uncut
    60
    More conservative than 2001's Melody AM, with little of the twinkling, yodelling mania that distinguished them from their late-night-friendly peers. [Aug 2005, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. NikolaiNikolai
    10
    A change from Melody A.M and a step forward to "the electro cult icon" that Ryoskopp becames with "The Understanding!!!"
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Mike
    5
    Not as good as Melody AM and has some horribly cheesy songs on here. Great production and is more experimental than their last effort but hasn't paid off.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. NivB
    3
    If you liked the amazing "Melody AM" - this album is not for you. Royksopp have clearly gone through a change between the debut album, and "The Understanding" fails to be as amazingly original as the first one. You won't get mind-numbingly gorgeous instrumental tracks here, and no original Yodel vocals in here. This is a bland electronic album, that fails to keep up with the "Melody AM" greatness. Only few tracks, like "Someone Like You" and "Only This Moment", try and line-up with the first album, while the rest fall into weird boy-band rock. In "The Understanding", Royksopp cleary misunderstood what "Melody AM" lovers want...… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 18 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Loveless [Reissue] - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 96
  2. Ram [Deluxe Edition] - Paul & Linda McCartney
    Metascore: 93
  3. L.A. Woman - The Doors
    Metascore: 93
  4. On the Impossible Past - The Menzingers
    Metascore: 93
  5. Biokinetics [Reissue] - Porter Ricks
    Metascore: 93
  6. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 91
  7. Reform Club - Claro Intelecto
    Metascore: 89
  8. Be Good - Gregory Porter
    Metascore: 89
  9. Crown and Treaty - Sweet Billy Pilgrim
    Metascore: 88
  10. 1992-2012 - Underworld
    Metascore: 88
  11. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
  12. Accelerando - Vijay Iyer Trio
    Metascore: 87
  13. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike
    Metascore: 87
  14. Voices from the Lake - Voices from the Lake
    Metascore: 87
  15. The Earn - Yu
    Metascore: 86
  16. Europe - Allo Darlin'
    Metascore: 86
  17. Young Man In America - Anais Mitchell
    Metascore: 86
  18. Vee Vee [Remastered] - Archers of Loaf
    Metascore: 86
  19. Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions - Billy Bragg/Wilco
    Metascore: 86
  20. Locked Down - Dr. John
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »