Universal Audio
by The Delgados
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Splendid
    90
    They've truly hit their stride on Universal Audio.
  2. Mojo
    90
    Like a cookie full of arsenic, Universal Audio's indie sweetness conceals a dark, deathly heart. [Nov 2004, p.114]
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  3. Stylus Magazine
    90
    It all sounds nice enough to start with, but as you hear it more and more you love it more and more, the simple charms showing themselves to be more and more complicated but no less delightful.
  5. Spin
    83
    Goes for basic sun-dappled guitar pop. [Nov 2004, p.118]
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  6. Junkmedia
    80
    If you like your indie rock sweet and sophisticated with undertones of despair, you'll want to cuddle up with Universal Audio.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    The listener gets acoustic ballads, guitar-driven rock exercises, poppy refrains, and jazz-inflected asides in a single package, and at no point does it really feel that the Scottish quartet is overextending itself or sacrificing the vitality of its work for the ability to slap the name of another sonic digression on the board.
  8. PopMatters
    80
    The Delgados won't lose any fans with this one. In fact they might just find themselves in bigger venues on this side of the pond shortly.
  9. The Guardian
    80
    Behind the surface sweetness of Emma Pollock's voice, the chiming guitars, the mellifluous folky lilt of the melodies and direct but deft production, these songs are as complex, adult and frequently as bleak as any the Delgados have ever written.
  10. AllMusic
    80
    Like all Delgados records, it takes repeated drives along the city outskirts to sink in, but when it does there's no going back, and the listener is rewarded once again with something rich, happily overcast, and strangely intangible.
  11. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    Other than the minor quibble that there's not as many immediately bracing hooks as on past efforts, Universal Audio has very little to apologize for.
  12. Pitchfork
    76
    Even if Hate stands as their most visionary statement, Universal Audio has a subtler strength.
  13. cokemachineglow
    75
    Universal Audio is a triumph in pop standard, simultaneously reminiscent of all the clichés, soundtrack archetypes, and euphonic exigencies of pure melody inherent in the mainstream pop of the last two decades. Yet it’s still a fully realized, consistently rewarding, original work.
  14. Under The Radar
    70
    A surprisingly adept three-minute pop formula record. [#7]
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  15. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    What remains is pure, unspoilt guitar-pop genius that demands to be marvelled at. [18 Sep 2004, p.65]
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  16. Q Magazine
    70
    At times, the sugary vocals do become a little sickly; mostly, though, Universal Audio is a mastercalss in harmonious guitar pop. [Oct 2004, p.122]
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  17. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Skip to track 7, then hit play. [1 Oct 2004, p.74]
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  18. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Melodies are practically nonexistent, leaving the music almost completely ignorable.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. AliC
    Jul 14, 2005
    9
    Predicatably, The Delgados, one of Britains most consistently brilliant (and consistently underrated) bands strike gold once again. The Great Predicatably, The Delgados, one of Britains most consistently brilliant (and consistently underrated) bands strike gold once again. The Great Eastern remains my favourite record by a British group, but this comes damn close. What's so great about the Delgados is the way each new album strikes off in a new direction, whilst retaining they're amazing song writing abilities and superb arrangements. They've even got a killer guitar solo (well, almost) on 'Everyone Come Down' my favourite summer song of 2004. Best track, though, is 'Sink or Swim'. If they're ever in your town, see them live: Emma Pollock, for such a wee lass, belts them out, and they are incredibly tight.… Full Review »
  2. DanB.
    May 5, 2005
    9
    I've listened to it six times in a row now and it's getting better each time.
  3. RyanH
    Mar 3, 2005
    10
    I didn't think they could top Hate, but they may have done it. The Delgados are the masters of dark, melodic music. While this album is I didn't think they could top Hate, but they may have done it. The Delgados are the masters of dark, melodic music. While this album is less dark than Hate, it still retains a that bleak, almost spooky feeling that sets the Delgados apart from other top notch pop artists. The two exceptions to this, Everybody Come Down and Girls of Valour, are so catchy and well-written that their unremarkable style is easily forgivable. Despite being a relatively straight up pop record (the strings that lent Hate such sweeping grandeur are mostly missing) repeated listens richly reward. This band is severely underrated.… Full Review »
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