The Violet Hour
by The Clientele
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Jul 8, 2003
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11

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  1. JacquesDerrida
    Jun 1, 2005
    8
    A virtually perfect mood album. The hazy vocals and languid guitar combine for a sound that, while not overly inventive, is distinct in its own right. Think Belle and Sebastian with more distortion. Can't wait for their next offering.
  2. marcusl
    Jan 4, 2004
    10
    Simply an excellent work... These guys have produced a beautiful album - evocative, melodic, powerful... Wish there were more bands with such talent.
  3. spezmcd
    Mar 4, 2004
    9
    Great, summer music
  4. samuelr
    Aug 23, 2005
    3
    Too caught up in creating a general sound than decent sounding songs
  5. DarrylD
    May 5, 2005
    10
    The lusty gloom is not even alieviated by the elegance of diction.
  6. Ryan
    Sep 24, 2003
    9
    The record is brilliant - What's not to like about an easy listening record with edge? I say it's been too long since mellow indie has had a break from Nick Drake covers
  7. otoniel
    May 16, 2005
    10
    This is the perfect dream pop album to make love to.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Every so often a record pops up that seems to exist in some alien world, unscathed by hipster fads and driven forward only by its own gorgeous mindset. With 'The Violet Hour', The Clientele have made a beautifully haunting album of music to take drugs to make music to take drugs to.
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  2. Village Voice
    70
    The more involved the songs get, the more ethereal they end up, and not always to the good.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Was it worth the wait? Well, it is for those who favor the kind of retro-futurist pop that recalls the mood-drenched fog of Galaxie 500 decorated with Byrdsian guitar filigrees.
    Read full review
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