User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 36 out of 46
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Mixed: 7 out of 46
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Negative: 3 out of 46
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AngieMAug 3, 2005I have heard better... You get this GarageBand finish idea on a few songs, it seems as though they did not go too deep into things. They shouldn't be that scared to go further. Otherwise one or two good things. I miss the freshness of Melody A.M.
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JoeSJul 15, 2005This album is fantastic. I loved Melody A.M., but this album really takes it to the next level. Royksopp is awesome.
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JonCJul 27, 2005An excellent, mature follow-up to Melody AM. More lyrical, with growth into more structured melodies. A different direction to excellent Air-esque AM, but for the good.
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MobiusJul 29, 2005
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NikolaiNikolaiFeb 26, 2006A change from Melody A.M and a step forward to "the electro cult icon" that Ryoskopp becames with "The Understanding!!!"
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ManjeroApr 8, 2008This under appreciated gemstone of an album by Royksopp is another great addition to your electronic collection. Unlike Melody A.M., The Understanding takes on a more dreamy, majestic aura, which can easily rival to A.M.'s greatness. This new, welcoming light doused onto The Understanding magnifies the mystical nature that is Royksopp.
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FredRNov 3, 2005
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LeightonPJul 12, 2005A largely different but excellent follow up to Melody A.M.
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JonSJul 14, 2005
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VladAJul 28, 2005Losin faith in metascores because of this record. Obviously some reviewers didn't give this one enough listens because it is impeccable. Dense instrumentation with magnetic hooks. Real good stuff. Better than Melody AM.
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djsAug 20, 2005more to it than melody am - varied, lush, really damn good actually. its abundance of really good tunes and lots of singing might take it out of the "cool downbeat" cliche? but thats no bad thing.
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zegaAug 9, 2005Amazingly bland. Didn't know Vangelis had so much influence on Royksopp. loved "A.M.", but this CD just doesn't cut it. lotsa sheen but few memorable hooks, and some exceedingly cliched lyrics. (The music reviewers who rated it 80+, like those ice-skating judges, must be judging this CD more on past performance than current, out of laziness or deadline commitments.)
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salomeySep 2, 2005
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MikeJan 25, 2006Not 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.
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ChristianJul 13, 2005A really good album - different, but really good!
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YrkJul 19, 2005Good when the mood hits me. Slightly above average, but not by much. A handful of really great tunes, but a handful of really bad ones as well. It's a grower. Some tracks have attached themselves to me after repeat listens, but most are forgettable. Okay.
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JonathanGAug 11, 2005
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NivBAug 16, 2005
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Jun 18, 2012Honorable Mention for obscure sounds such as Sombre Detune and What Else Is There? (which has beautiful vocals of Karin Dreijer Andersson), and for the most chill-out-oriented songs, such as 49 Percent and Beautiful Day Without You. A really interesting work.
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For the most part, "The Understanding" saunters along without a trace of urgency, which is unfortunate as Royksopp were always at their best when electronic ingenuity rather than pastel-shaded synth washes were holding things up.
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This is the one that puts them firmly and officially up there in the top tier of the dance-music crossover-album crowd, up with the Daft Punks and, umm, Basement Jaxxes.
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Röyksopp have little left to say aside from what others have said more clearly in the past.