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To The Races - Eric Bachmann
To The Races Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: This is the second solo outing for the former Archers Of Loaf and Crooked Fingers frontman.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Filter
    92
    You want this album. [#21, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The A.V. Club
    91
    Most of To The Races is arresting and alive, filled with little moments--a snaky violin, a warm harmonica, a lilting melody--that serve as reminders of how important the concept of "performance" can be.
  3. Paste Magazine
    60
    Gone is the orchestral saturation that sometimes bogged down Crooked Fingers, replaced by gnomic acoustic folk that's stark to the point of nudity. [Oct 2006, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. DanielL
    10
    A kind of songwriting that just plain doesn't exist anymore. Half 1930's range balladeer, half somber meditation. The bare presentation is a reflection of the album's honesty, and the density of the cello, violin, and backing vocals are like an ocean, upon which you can float, feeling emotionally empowered just by listening. Truly wonderful and unique.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JohnN
    10
    A stellar and moody performance. Bachmann stripped away noise moving from the legendary Archers of Loaf, to the folktacular Crooked Fingers, but this album is even more minamalistic than CF. The lyrics are powerful and intimate, yet still empty. Nobody can make a cliche mean as many different things as Bachmann. Man-O-War is chilling and captivating, while the title track invokes feelings of a Gypsy carnival under a barely crimson sky. A incredible journey.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JeremyF
    5
    OK. While "Man O' War" is on my top 10 songs of 2006, this album as a whole is nothing spectacular. Some very good guitar playing throughout, and soft, easy-listening vocals are enchanting, but the songs blur into a plodding-along feel, and it can't keep my pinned for longer than two or three songs. Despite the one breathtakingly magnificent number, this album fails to capture me the way intimate acoustic records should.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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