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Those The Brokes
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Those The Brokes Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The poppy British quartet are joined by a nine-piece orchestra on their sophomore effort.

Top Track

Take A Chance
What you gonna do when it all breaks down Take another heart through the lonely town What you gonna do when she turns around And says i never, ever... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Spin
    90
    The real story of this breathtaking follow-up... is Romeo Stodart's transformation from merely a good songwritier to an outstanding one. [Feb 2007, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Playlouder
    80
    It might be easy to criticise 'Those The Brokes' as a stab at busting through into the MOR mainstream, but it's fairer to see it as The Magic Numbers developing their expression while staying faithful to their core sound, and quiet charm.
  3. Dot Music
    70
    Lopping off about twenty minutes would have improved things no end, but mostly it needs focus - focus that would probably have come with time.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. NOW Magazine
    30
    Redundant, needlessly long, Those The Brokes rarely matches the 60s California-dreamin' good-vibes pop of its successful self-titled predecessor.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 2 out of 4
  1. 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).… Expand
  2. 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.    … Expand
  4. MFinger
    Nov 18, 2006
    3
    No so long ago the Magic Numbers were the hottest live act in London with shows selling out even a year before they signed to Heavenly. Why? No so long ago the Magic Numbers were the hottest live act in London with shows selling out even a year before they signed to Heavenly. Why? I'll never know! This is just tired old Heart FM fodder but what amazes me is how the band's supposed strengths is said to lie in their songwriting and harmonies. Sorry but they ain't no Mamas and Papas. Romeo has one of the weakest leads I've heard and the female backing is just unconvincing and vapid not to mention flat! Music doesn't have to be offensive and edgy to be appealing but if you're going to record an album so devoid of sonic invention in an attempt to highlight the greatness of the songwriting at least spend some time on the song and make and effort to put in a good performance. Too many people are doing this kind of thing so much better. Needless to say I won't be joining the cult.… Expand
  5. 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?

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