The Warning
by Hot Chip
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The quintet's refined funk tweaks the genre-busting dance rock of classic Prince and New Order with a modern, synth-happy sheen. [16 Jun 2006, p.77]
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  2. BBC collective
    80
    Their second album continues in a similarly delicious vein, melding wonky electronics, pillow-soft soul and lyrics that manage to weave strange violence into gorgeous soul songs.
  3. cokemachineglow
    79
    In the end, Hot Chip leave us frustrated, which makes sense since this is an album about frustration.
  5. Dot Music
    80
    In terms of wide-ranging savvy, fizzing enthusiasm and the sheer brilliance of its dance-pop tunes, "The Warning" is shaping-up to be the "Demon Days" of 2006.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    80
    'The Warning' will claim your souls and break your hearts.
  7. musicOMH.com
    80
    Not once does a song sound ripped off or unoriginal. What Hot Chip have done is to create a new landscape of electronica.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's far too early to say whether they will reach the same lofty heights, but there's something of New Order in Hot Chip. There's the same mix of art school-meets-working man demeanour, an unabashed acknowledgement of the debt popular music owes to clubland and a wry lyrical conceit.
  9. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    They are very good at making sleepy, hapless trip-pop sprayed with whimsy.
  10. Pitchfork
    81
    As far as improvements go, The Warning isn't so much a triumph as it is a reach in the right direction.
  11. Playlouder
    80
    'The Warning' is a splendid combination of braindance and footdance.
  12. PopMatters
    80
    The Warning shows us a Hot Chip both familiar and unexpectedly progressive.
  13. Stylus Magazine
    91
    The fact that Hot Chip can take all these conflicting moods, string them together, and make of them a satisfying whole is testament to their understanding of the classic rubric of the pop album—an identifiable, unique sound that has enough room to allow for variety and enough consistency to keep the listener's attention.
  14. The Guardian
    80
    [A] fantastic collection of nu-dance.
  15. Uncut
    80
    With The Warning, they've willed themselves beyond bathos by sincerely embracing their English art-pop sensibilities. [Jun 2006, p.103]
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  16. Urb
    80
    Splendid. [Jun 2006, p.111]
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  17. The New York Times
    80
    Imagine the Postal Service, but far more danceable and quirkily experimental.
  18. Under The Radar
    70
    The band has a uniquely emotional sound within their electric labyrinth playground. [#14]
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  19. AllMusic
    70
    It's like listening to early New Order records for the first time, waiting for the next one with a little bit of excited anticipation to see what's going to happen next with every new song.
  20. Almost Cool
    80
    A highly entertaining album, and perfect for blasting during hot summer days.
  21. Spin
    80
    Here, [Hot Chip] beefs up the rhythms and tones down the indie-geek shtick. [Jul 2006, p.84]
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  22. Prefix Magazine
    80
    With The Warning, the band again forces listeners to drop the safety of labeling and comparisons with other bands.
  23. Alternative Press
    100
    Hot Chip strip down their influences, reworking scores of sound into new, distinctly original machinations. [Aug 2006, p.222]
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  24. Paste Magazine
    70
    Hot Chip is that rare band able to seamlessly meld its disparate elements. [Sep 2006, p.82]
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Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best Album of 2006
100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 56
  3. Negative: 2 out of 56
  1. Ricko
    Jan 16, 2012
    8
    The first half of the record is excellent, very strong tracks. Kind of fades off a bit towards the end but overall a very good record from aThe first half of the record is excellent, very strong tracks. Kind of fades off a bit towards the end but overall a very good record from a very strong band.… Full Review »
  2. Will
    Sep 25, 2007
    10
    Cooler than LCD Soundsystem will ever be. The track 'Over and Over' must be one of the tracks of the decade! This is inventive Cooler than LCD Soundsystem will ever be. The track 'Over and Over' must be one of the tracks of the decade! This is inventive music at its best, one of the most refreshing listens in recent memory.… Full Review »
  3. LouiseS.
    Aug 25, 2007
    9
    Really catchy songs and solid production.
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