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Turn The Lights Out
by
  • Record Label:
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Turn The Lights Out Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The Chicago band's third album marks their Matador debut. John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr.) produces.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Turn the Lights Out is the most mature and technically accomplished album the Ponys have made to date, but it doesn't lack the excitement and edge of the fine music that preceded it.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's a pounding alt-rock dynamo with its head sunk in Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr rarities.
  3. The Guardian
    80
    The album is a satisfying hodge-podge of guitar noises, as they doff their caps to shoegaze, garage, prog, punk, post-punk, baggy and pop throughout their musical tourist-trip.
  4. Prefix Magazine
    70
    Even if almost every song here sounds like something someone else has already done, there's still originality to be found.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Maturity has doomed too many bands to mention over the years, but this ain't one.
  6. Hartford Courant
    60
    Much of "Turn the Lights Off" is inspired by '80s artists who wanted to sound like they were from the '60s.
  7. Village Voice
    40
    [The album] s clogged with reverb-choked guitar riffs too woozy to propel the garage rock they ought to carry.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. BeauN
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    The Pony's have once again released another great album which the general public will ignore completely. In a way I'm kind of glad. The Pony's have once again released another great album which the general public will ignore completely. In a way I'm kind of glad. After all they're my band, not yours.… Expand
  2. EthanS
    Mar 19, 2007
    9
    The Ponys have released the most exciting, consistent punk album of the year, and have transcended their influences to create a unique sound The Ponys have released the most exciting, consistent punk album of the year, and have transcended their influences to create a unique sound putting them with the Smashings Pumpkins and the Big Black among Chicago's alt-rock greats… Expand
  4. JonViaChicago
    Mar 23, 2007
    9
    This is a really strong return to form after the slightly disappointing Celebration Castle. I have to admit that I still do miss Ian's This is a really strong return to form after the slightly disappointing Celebration Castle. I have to admit that I still do miss Ian's contributions, but this still stands as a great album. Am I the only one that gets a recent-ish Sonic Youth vibe on a couple of these tracks?… Collapse
  5. SamH
    Mar 29, 2007
    7
    This is a good record, but they need to progress their sound a little more. The raw guitar static was sweet and fresh on their debut, but The This is a good record, but they need to progress their sound a little more. The raw guitar static was sweet and fresh on their debut, but The Ponys have yet to do anything far out of the ordinary. But, these are still some damn good songs, especially "Double Vision" and the last track, which rocks harder than most people should be allowed!!!… Expand

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