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This Is the Sonics Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: The garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, return with three original members and producer Jim Diamond for its first studio release since 1967.
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Top Track

Bad Betty
Bad Betty on a Bonneville, yeah She looks fast when she's sittin' still High boots and looks to kill That's Bad Betty on a Bonneville! Now, whoah,... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Uncut
    Apr 29, 2015
    80
    A wonderfully anomalous effort. [Jun 2015, p.81]
  2. The Wire
    May 15, 2015
    80
    The Sonics actually sound like they're back. [May 2015, p.53]
  3. 80
    While nothing quite matches the brutalist stomps of your youth, there’s a savage intensity at work here.
  4. Apr 30, 2015
    78
    They're more punk at 70 than a truckload of Sex Pistols 45s, and still decimate every other band in your record collection.
  5. Magnet
    Apr 15, 2015
    75
    A howling, blustery, white-knuckle ride that is nothing less than astounding. [No. 119, p.59]
  6. Apr 3, 2015
    75
    R&B informed the Sonics’ unhinged passion from the get-go, and This Is the Sonics pays proper homage to the group’s roots.
  7. Mar 31, 2015
    58
    They keep up with the kids so convincingly, though, that The Sonics fall into the exact same traps. While the lyrics largely aim for cheeky goofballery, they occasionally flounder in eyeroll territory.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Apr 10, 2015
    8
    This is raw rock n roll at its best from an authentic early 60's band. The sonics have more rock in their little finger than most "rock"This is raw rock n roll at its best from an authentic early 60's band. The sonics have more rock in their little finger than most "rock" bands do nowadays. This is a live band, please go see them. Remember these guys are in their 60 and 70's now- rock in their souls. too bad they didn't release more through the years... Expand