Untrue
by Burial
  • Record Label: Hyperdub
  • Release Date: Nov 6, 2007
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 472 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 368 out of 472
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 472
  3. Negative: 57 out of 472

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  1. KlennF.
    Mar 23, 2008
    10
    Listen to in the dark w/headphones or driving at night... it encompasses your brain. Beautiful.
  2. CH
    May 3, 2008
    10
    Just listen to this walking home alone from a club at 3am and you will understand Burial's intentions for this CD. "Raver" is the perfect summation, and particularly stands out, even among the other sublime songs. It is simply perfect. Best album of 2007, easy.
  3. JuliaA.
    Jun 18, 2008
    8
    First spin: BORINGGG second spin: well,it's decent third spin: I'd move to London respectively.
  4. StevenM
    Jul 28, 2008
    10
    Burial brings the open listener straight into his soundscape, unveiling subtle emotions in and out of the darkness. Spongey two-step drums and erratic sub-bass weave through superb pitched vocals that to me break into natural little clips of life. Excellent lo-fi sampling. It is amazing that he worked this together at home in roughly two weeks, which really shows when one track switches Burial brings the open listener straight into his soundscape, unveiling subtle emotions in and out of the darkness. Spongey two-step drums and erratic sub-bass weave through superb pitched vocals that to me break into natural little clips of life. Excellent lo-fi sampling. It is amazing that he worked this together at home in roughly two weeks, which really shows when one track switches to the next. Sublime. It seems that haters pick out only specific parts of the sound, labeling it as "non-musical schlop". Are we forgetting what can be defined as art, more so as something cultural? Look past ignorant genre stereotypes and music quo, this sound truly is undeniably special. Emphatic.… Expand
  5. SergioD.
    Aug 15, 2008
    10
    It's 2008 now, i just got both Burial's cds along with new Sigur Ros and Spiritualized. All i can say is "sweet baby jesus"! Haven't had that feeling since Tricky released his first cd or when Massive came out with Mezzanine. This is what never fades away!
  6. GarrettM.
    Aug 16, 2008
    10
    Beautiful. Atmospheric. Soundtrack for a quiet drive in the dark or just plain sleep for some. What I particularly love is the vocals and how ghostly they are. Such depth. I find it amusing that some of the reviewers pan this because they can't understand the vocals. You are stuck in a one-track mind. Burial. Brilliant.
  7. Derj
    Sep 20, 2008
    9
    This is one of the best albums that I have heard in a long long time. He tries to do something different and succeeds massively. That he does it all on Soundforge is beyond comprehension. A genius, I sincerely look forward to his next effort which he syas is going to be a more aggressive DnB tinged affair.
  8. DanS.
    Nov 29, 2007
    9
    Stunning! I like it even better than the self-titled album.
  9. BobH.
    Nov 30, 2007
    10
    This is the best album of 2007. The track 'Shell Of Light' is just incredible. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING even comes anywhere near the excellence of this album for 2007. Just brilliant.
  10. MrL
    Dec 11, 2007
    8
    Chris B....if you can do as well as Burial, I suggest you do it.
  11. PaulC
    Dec 11, 2007
    7
    This is a good album, and certainly much better than The Field, but to have this ranking as the best album of the year is mental. Unlike The Field, this album is definitely something fun to listen to, and each listen The Burial grow on you. However, what kind of world do we live in where this kind of music could possibly be the best album of the year? There's nothing here. There are This is a good album, and certainly much better than The Field, but to have this ranking as the best album of the year is mental. Unlike The Field, this album is definitely something fun to listen to, and each listen The Burial grow on you. However, what kind of world do we live in where this kind of music could possibly be the best album of the year? There's nothing here. There are definitely groups out there putting out better albums than this--Radiohead, Arcade Fire, and The National to name three.… Expand
  12. PerspicaciousCritic
    Dec 12, 2007
    8
    I agree with Paul C, who gave this album a respectable 7 out of 10. I listened to every track on Burial, then listened to it again to see if I was missing anything that merited a perfect 10 score. And although I can see why critics would fall out of their chair over the filmic soundscape, the album sounds samey throughout and for me can only be tolerated after a couple listens. And while I agree with Paul C, who gave this album a respectable 7 out of 10. I listened to every track on Burial, then listened to it again to see if I was missing anything that merited a perfect 10 score. And although I can see why critics would fall out of their chair over the filmic soundscape, the album sounds samey throughout and for me can only be tolerated after a couple listens. And while I don't disagree with most of the professional reviews, and while every track is thought out and noodled over, and while there are no fillers on this album, Burial is missing that emotive magic, making it an 8 out of 10 at best. In the electronic / alternative / indie genre, Radiohead's In Rainbows wins top honours this year.… Expand
  13. AntonyH.
    Dec 13, 2007
    10
    Odd comments on here about the reviews. It has top marks from the Guardian and The Observer two national broadsheet newspapers in the UK and Pitchfork so thats hardly just fanzines now is it! Also who cares where the reviews come from, it someone has an opinion about it what makes it less valid than say Rolling Stone or the NME? If people are passionate enough to write reviews then its a Odd comments on here about the reviews. It has top marks from the Guardian and The Observer two national broadsheet newspapers in the UK and Pitchfork so thats hardly just fanzines now is it! Also who cares where the reviews come from, it someone has an opinion about it what makes it less valid than say Rolling Stone or the NME? If people are passionate enough to write reviews then its a record that inspires passion. Don't like it. Get off your arse and go and pen a negative review to provide so balance. Stop moaning from the side lines. Its a top record and gets better which each listen, headphones a must.… Expand
  14. JohnJ.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    Best album of the year!
  15. MikeC.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    Best album of the year - get some head phones on and turn it up!
  16. Sarah
    Dec 4, 2007
    10
    I do not always like to see electronica albums topping the best albums list given there are so few of them relative to everything else. But this one really is quite something.
  17. ChuChu
    Dec 5, 2007
    9
    Don't listen to the haters. This is a solid album full of atmosphere.
  18. RogerS.
    Dec 5, 2007
    9
    There is something going on these days. I think the Avalanches started this new sound. The rave DJ's are being replaced by bands. LCD Soundsystem, The Field, Simian Mobile Disco, Daft Punk, The Battles and now Burial. This CD is new music in a boring Bruce, Britney, REM, or Celion Dion world. It's like Enigma but going into winter 2007/2008 it's peaceful. No more war music There is something going on these days. I think the Avalanches started this new sound. The rave DJ's are being replaced by bands. LCD Soundsystem, The Field, Simian Mobile Disco, Daft Punk, The Battles and now Burial. This CD is new music in a boring Bruce, Britney, REM, or Celion Dion world. It's like Enigma but going into winter 2007/2008 it's peaceful. No more war music from rap. Check out "Archangel", it just might be a hit...ah shit they don't even swear. Music is evolving into a kind of Brian ENO/Kraftwerk thing. The lyrics are minimal and the message is upbeat. Even if it is, "Good to be alone". I found myself in this new phenomenon and the kids are rebelling against the punk, metal, rap, pop and what ever has come before. This is fresh but started years back. This will be playing in a coffee house somewhere right now. Something to create dreams for a new generation. "In McDonalds" was so simple. "Untrue" sounds like another hit formula but relaxing chill out beats. Never get's up uptight to lie....untrue. The way I feel inside because your lie? The way way I feel inside in a song. If you like music you'll like this one. I guess the only complaint is it sounds like Retro-1997. The rave scene is over but there is something about an unknown DJ that makes music. Weren't Kiss unknown musicians hidden behind masks before they made it? I'm listening to "Raver" track 13 with the hiss, pitch, samples over dubs and tempo. Ahhhhh what a stressless CD. It's good fuck music if there ever was.… Expand
  19. JA
    Dec 5, 2007
    10
    "Untrue" sounds more real and true than all the other music I've bought this year. It's got me hooked.
  20. 100100100100
    Dec 6, 2007
    8
    I wish certain critics would stop throwing 100 scores around.
  21. AlexR
    Dec 6, 2007
    9
    The album feels deeply personal. Dark and brooding, behind driving percussion (or not) and equally dark and brooding beats, this is one of the great records of 2007. Also, Radiohead is way more art rock than electronica any day.
  22. AlexO
    Dec 8, 2007
    9
    Hey chris b apparently you cant make nice sounds on your laptop because you don't have a 91 rated album. I'm not a big fan of electronica but somehow this album seems to me a wonderful masterpiece. It's less about the beats than the interesting sonic textures presented to us.
  23. EricM.
    Dec 8, 2007
    8
    "Entroducing" fans heed! Same sound different perspective!
  24. AndrewH
    Dec 9, 2007
    9
    It's impossible to hear it's genious on first listen.
  25. JOE
    Jan 12, 2008
    10
    great album!!!!!!!!!! the amount of detail that has been lavished on this record is incredible. Stick your headphones on and enjoy........ like listening to someones best kept secret!
  26. clarkf.
    Jan 13, 2008
    10
    If you are musically literate enough to have an appreciation for dubstep, you will find this release to be among the best albums of the year. If you are not (and this site indicates that you are legion), then you will not appreciate the intricacies of the programming, or the mixing, or the engineering. Indeed, you may find the album dull. In this case, give the album to a sophisticated If you are musically literate enough to have an appreciation for dubstep, you will find this release to be among the best albums of the year. If you are not (and this site indicates that you are legion), then you will not appreciate the intricacies of the programming, or the mixing, or the engineering. Indeed, you may find the album dull. In this case, give the album to a sophisticated friend and wait for the new Spice Girls record.… Expand
  27. DanM.
    Jan 15, 2008
    9
    An amazing album. The kind that you can completely get lost in. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is that I generally don't listen to this type of music and I probably fail to grasp some of the nuances. The simple fact is that it is inexplicable and infectiously beautiful.
  28. JImH
    Jan 17, 2008
    9
    Grows on you if you give it a shot. Don't expect to get it until you're in the right frame of mind. Keep listening over a few weeks and suddenly it will make sense.
  29. JohnQ
    Jan 17, 2008
    10
    incredible on a pair of headphones. one of my favourite albums of all time.
  30. DuncanY
    Jan 18, 2008
    10
    This is so so good! I don't understand the hate.
  31. johnk
    Jan 19, 2008
    10
    I can't get enough of this. Burial makes absolutely fascinating music. Archangel in particular is beautiful.
  32. SDK
    Jan 22, 2008
    10
    it's uplifting, even with the melodramatic beats and vocals that seem to disappear into blackness before your ears. i don't know if you can classify this music correctly, or if it even needs it. hell, it breaks classifications and draws people in from all over. there's no doubt in my mind that there's WAY MORE than a handful of people out there listening to this record it's uplifting, even with the melodramatic beats and vocals that seem to disappear into blackness before your ears. i don't know if you can classify this music correctly, or if it even needs it. hell, it breaks classifications and draws people in from all over. there's no doubt in my mind that there's WAY MORE than a handful of people out there listening to this record on a daily basis. headphones recommended :)… Expand
  33. JeremyF
    Jan 24, 2008
    8
    Definitely an acquired taste. It took me a few tries. But now I really do enjoy this work. It's best heard on headphones; it seriously sounds ten times better on headphone. No joke. My favorite tracks are Archangel, Near Dark, and the title track. In McDonalds is a brief but pristine surge of synth, and Etched Headplate is a nice relaxing electronic/beat-driven song. The vocals Definitely an acquired taste. It took me a few tries. But now I really do enjoy this work. It's best heard on headphones; it seriously sounds ten times better on headphone. No joke. My favorite tracks are Archangel, Near Dark, and the title track. In McDonalds is a brief but pristine surge of synth, and Etched Headplate is a nice relaxing electronic/beat-driven song. The vocals aren't meant to be the star of the show, so I like that they're not over the top. And on Archangel, they're so spliced up, and yet there's still a constant melody. I'm still unsure what dubstep is, but, if Burial is this genre, then I should check out more. (Remember: LISTEN ON HEADPHONES!)… Expand
  34. SG
    Jan 25, 2008
    10
    negative reviews? you don't know what music is if you don't like this. this IS south London on a record. vinyl white noise, dark London streets, unknown vocals, seething bass. burial is the banksy of the music world, but with no irony. this album is straight up, and it's art.
  35. AlexF.
    Jan 31, 2008
    10
    This is an amazing album, have only recently been introduced to dubstep, and was shown this Burial album. I now cant stop listening to it!! I LOVE IT
  36. OllieH
    Jul 11, 2008
    9
    this album gives me shivers every time I listen to it, the amount of warmth and emotion here is unparalleled in electronic/dance music
  37. BehnamM.
    Aug 14, 2008
    10
    Some kind of postmodern view of a modern city. you can feel all cries of being so tierd of aloneness. its represents all of dark hiden emotions such as hatress, grief, moans, and lurking assault of a sneaky stress wich altogether transform to a giant feel of ruin. a masterpiece of atmospheric albums. Marvelous
  38. HenriN
    Aug 19, 2008
    10
    Up to this point, only a single naysayer has managed to brand this album as "pretentious". Did you people just graduate the junior high of haterdom?
  39. JohnJ.
    Nov 29, 2007
    10
    Best album of the year!
  40. HarryH.
    Nov 29, 2007
    10
    Cool and sad. Brand new and retro. Hard edged and gentle. Wonderful music.
  41. RyanL
    Dec 14, 2007
    10
    I think those that are panning this album are just not comfortable with the format of the music. Maybe I'm wrong, and they are all just dubstep purists, but I doubt it. It is nice to see something a little more unconventional like this cross over into popular consciousness. That being said, this album is gorgeous, definitely more euphoric than his previous one. Archangel is so I think those that are panning this album are just not comfortable with the format of the music. Maybe I'm wrong, and they are all just dubstep purists, but I doubt it. It is nice to see something a little more unconventional like this cross over into popular consciousness. That being said, this album is gorgeous, definitely more euphoric than his previous one. Archangel is so emotional, track of the year, I think.… Expand
  42. TylerF.
    Dec 17, 2007
    8
    So Pitchfork, Popmatters, and BBC aren't good enough for you?
  43. TomH.
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    Possibly the best album of 2007 for me, better than his debut, namely because it has homeless on which is a brilliant song.
  44. ButtMan
    Dec 18, 2007
    10
    Album of the year easily. this shit is amazing and original and endlessly listenable. The production is phenomenal, tweaky brilliance, solid atmosphere, unf.ckwithable!!!!! burial is genius, no doubt. A+, five stars, 10.0, flawless victory!
  45. Tech
    Oct 6, 2010
    10
    Even though it is classified as dubstep, don't expect any bassy oscillation of what todays dubstep is composed of. This album is a stroke of genius and was and still is a breathe of fresh air. Emotionally pounding tracks like 'In McDonalds' and 'Endorphin' will bring about sensations that are unexplained, tracks like 'Shell of Light' will leave you completely hypnotised. This cleverEven though it is classified as dubstep, don't expect any bassy oscillation of what todays dubstep is composed of. This album is a stroke of genius and was and still is a breathe of fresh air. Emotionally pounding tracks like 'In McDonalds' and 'Endorphin' will bring about sensations that are unexplained, tracks like 'Shell of Light' will leave you completely hypnotised. This clever arrangement of distorted sampling really gives every song a soul. I find it musically insulting how some user critics have shunned this album saying it's 'uninspired and boring'. I think its rather them who are uninspired and boring.… Expand
  46. jckcrll
    Jan 7, 2012
    10
    I've heard it described as the sound of London at night, and I agree. Sorrowful early-morning comedowns set to fuzzy radios. I guess some people don't get it, but you can't attack it for repetitiveness, the monotony compliments the sad bass fading in and out, and the twisted vocals sound beautiful floating over the whole thing.
  47. HyDrAg7
    Sep 28, 2012
    9
    I think you must get it to like it. btw most (if not all) of the songs actually have lyrics, but they´re hard to understand. i think im slowly getting it.
  48. schampanes
    May 23, 2013
    9
    If you're looking for something to dance to, then this is the wrong album for you. If not, continue reading. Just like with most of his music, Burial blends together an extremely tranquil, deep and harmonious experience, plus if you like emotional things, Untrue is definitely something to give a listen to. It's not the best album I've ever heard, but it is definitely in my Top 10.
  49. dakotaconcrete
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    I wasn't a huge fan of the album after the first half dozen listens. But something kept me coming back for repeated listens. Then during a random listen, it just hit me, the sound which seemed mediocre to me before, was incredible! One of my all-time favorite albums, and easily one of the oddest experiences I've had with an album.
  50. Exide
    Dec 22, 2017
    10
    Excelent album .......................................................................................................................................
  51. Efrex
    Dec 22, 2017
    10
    Minimalist and at the same time complex, masterpiece! Greatest dubstep album.
  52. oweng
    Jul 9, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. “Untrue” by Burial is a tightly knit album packed with pitched samples that are elegantly placed over instrumentals containing calculated and lavish production. The result is a 13 track, 50 minute long project that is very calming and easy to vibe to.… Expand
  53. willmatts
    May 27, 2021
    10
    O melhor álbum eletrônico da década! Talvez, do século até o momento. Experiência única e fantástica!
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2007
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2007
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. BBC collective
    80
    Burial has concocted a noir-ish sound that’s as powerful as it is atmospheric.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    What gives this album more depth is the focus, the rolling symmetry and cinema.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    80
    That emptiness tempts a listener in, and puts you in its place--you, in a sense, step into the record’s point of view. This invitation to intimacy is a powerful move that most club music is simply incapable of.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »