Those The Brokes
by The Magic Numbers
  • Record Label: Heavenly
  • Release Date: Jul 17, 2007
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. BBC collective
    60
    It's still heavy on the harmonies and hummable choruses, of course, and does meander into happy-clappy, round-the-campfire territory too often for those of us with a low saccharine threshold.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    Many songs here are too long and similar in tone to the band's ubiquitous debut. But given time, the moments of real magic peek through.
  3. Uncut
    60
    Rather than producing themselves, they could benefit from a wise head adding a touch of reverb, a sting of echo.
  5. Mojo
    60
    This would be a strong set if they culled three tracks, shortened a few others and rearranged the sequencing. As it is, this record suffers from a distinct mid-album crisis. [Dec 2006, p.103]
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  6. Under The Radar
    60
    Unfortunately, the record's winning first half is followed by an intensely dull side two. [#16, p.93]
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  7. Billboard
    60
    This sophomore set likewise has moments of indelible pop bliss, but too often veers off track with unnecessarily long songs and dull arrangements.
  8. AllMusic
    60
    Those the Brokes is a looser, livelier album than its predecessor, significantly less cloying and precious than the debut.
  9. musicOMH.com
    50
    There are too many tracks on here that seem unfinished in a way, content to noodle around for far too long without making too much of an impression.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    There are four or five genuinely decent songs on here - but ultimately, as a whole it just feels a little too worthy, a little too overwrought, and a little too formulaic to be worth the 64 minutes and 32 seconds of your life.
  11. Blender
    50
    The arrangements and singer-guitarist Romeo Stodart's delivery both veer toward cloying. The band also seems to have forgotten the art of brevity, resulting in too many songs that drag on past the five minute mark. [August 2007, p.115]
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  12. Observer Music Monthly
    40
    A frustrating set with glimpses of gorgeousness.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. TokyoGooner
    Nov 12, 2015
    8
    'This is a Song and These Are the Words'

    What's wrong with a little tongue-in-cheek humour? The brilliance of 'Alias' motivated me to    'This is a Song and These Are the Words'

    What's wrong with a little tongue-in-cheek humour? The brilliance of 'Alias' motivated me to revisit this album having dismissed it way too quickly first time around. It really is rather good.    … Full Review »
  2. JimM
    Jun 13, 2007
    1
    Trite and sadly lame. What was Romeo thinking when he thought the lyrics, "This is a song/and these are the words"X10 would help them sell records?
  3. Danfromthebush
    Nov 19, 2006
    9
    Superb.....technically better than the first...but who cares anyway.....I've just recently discovered this band and I sing their Superb.....technically better than the first...but who cares anyway.....I've just recently discovered this band and I sing their praises....flogging their album(s).… Full Review »
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