User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 55
  2. Negative: 12 out of 55

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  1. Jan 29, 2016
    10
    HINARIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO l
  2. Apr 20, 2012
    8
    Lively and energetic debut album from the London band. At the time Razorlight were a more sturdy and less ramshackle alternative to the Libertines. Razorlight took themselves more seriously and were far less fun. On music alone, this is a very strong record, Rip It Up and Stumble and Fall are brilliant tracks along with several other single that came off the album. What's more is there isLively and energetic debut album from the London band. At the time Razorlight were a more sturdy and less ramshackle alternative to the Libertines. Razorlight took themselves more seriously and were far less fun. On music alone, this is a very strong record, Rip It Up and Stumble and Fall are brilliant tracks along with several other single that came off the album. What's more is there is very little filler on here. Unfortunately the more we got to know of Johnny Borell and Razorlight the more irritating they got and for me, the image started to interfere with the tunes. Expand
  3. JohnMarkF.
    Aug 4, 2007
    8
    Very good and lots of fun to listen to. It will grow on you.
  4. TomJ.
    Jul 4, 2007
    9
    Fuck pitchfork
  5. JohnS
    May 11, 2006
    9
    Awesome!
  6. RyanJ
    Feb 13, 2006
    10
    This album is better than The Strokes' Is This It? Granted, The Strokes did all of this first, but Razorlight does it better. Where The Strokes collapse under their own overt supercool ennui and spartan posturing, Razorlight snaps, crackles and pops. The music is bright and brash, much more varied and unique than the reviews will lead you to believe, and, most importantly, tons of fun.
  7. PeterM
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    great songs and performances, with a moddish but retro flavour - but they have what Franz Ferdinand lack... passion,energy, and they really rock.
  8. tuttidog
    Sep 25, 2005
    9
    It's an exciting rock album. They convinced me.
  9. SusanB
    Sep 14, 2005
    10
    Excellent. Every single track is a gem
  10. slobodan
    Sep 10, 2005
    10
    fierce music, very good.
  11. AbishekJ
    Sep 4, 2005
    10
    this is a bloody awesome debut record from confident frontman Johnny Borrell and his band razorlight, smashing tunes, long live rock'n'roll
  12. JulianB
    Jul 30, 2005
    10
    Superbly written, produced and performed album, which is reminiscent of Television's 1977 NME album of the year 'Marquee Moon'(Praise indeed!). Looking forward to their second album as maintaining this quality will be difficult.
  13. PaulM
    Jul 29, 2005
    2
    Just more boring banal british naval gazing rubbish.
  14. Roland
    Jul 27, 2005
    3
    That's so boring and monotonous...
  15. stevec
    Jul 25, 2005
    0
    Razorlight are shit.
  16. BuntyH
    May 8, 2005
    1
    Fairs fair Golden Touch is alright but the rest sucks Anyone who reckons this album is "one of the best albums for 2004" must be a duschbag and I can only assume the reason people buy this album is people feel sorry for johnny and are giving him the means to get his picket fence teeth fixed
  17. Stella
    May 3, 2005
    10
    best thing i've bought in years, along with the libertines albums. a true standout- mr. borrell's passion is unreal, on record and even more so live.
  18. howc
    Apr 7, 2005
    9
    simply brilliant. one of the best album for 2004
  19. NorthFreedomFighter
    Apr 6, 2005
    9
    Plainly put, a well-thought out, fun rock record that stays in your head for months after your first listen. Reccommended for any rock fan looking for a bit of spunk.
  20. AdamB
    Mar 23, 2005
    10
    Flawless, one of the best albums ever. Biggest band since Oasis these lads will become.
  21. MikeS
    Mar 18, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums i've ever heard. I love to energy that it gives of and i can just imagine there when they are performing it.
  22. dannyh
    Mar 17, 2005
    1
    Rubbish
  23. AlexD
    Mar 6, 2005
    8
    Does this album tread any new ground? No, not really... Is the lead singer's ego overinflated and does he deserve a tenth of the praise he lavishes on himself? Not at all... But is the album intensely listenable? Yes, I think it is. And when it comes down to it, thats really what more do you want from a good-time British psuedo-punk rocker? Sure this album is flawed, and it may be Does this album tread any new ground? No, not really... Is the lead singer's ego overinflated and does he deserve a tenth of the praise he lavishes on himself? Not at all... But is the album intensely listenable? Yes, I think it is. And when it comes down to it, thats really what more do you want from a good-time British psuedo-punk rocker? Sure this album is flawed, and it may be cool to trash it because of them, but I don't think its a sin to enjoy it. Expand
  24. joe
    Feb 20, 2005
    3
    I give it a three 'cause there is only three songs on this worth listening to. golden touch, up all night, don't go back to dalston. I dunno what it is but i want to like these guys but I don't. Least favorite CD i have bought in the last 3 years
  25. jacob
    Feb 12, 2005
    0
    The songs are tedious, unoriginal, rip-off dirges with appalling lyrics. Johnny Borrell claimed early on that he was a better songwriter than Dylan - sample lyric - "Hey girl/ Get on the dance floor/ And rip it up/ That's what it's there for" - in the light of this record the claim seems so ridiculous it is almost impossible to comprehend that this was not some The songs are tedious, unoriginal, rip-off dirges with appalling lyrics. Johnny Borrell claimed early on that he was a better songwriter than Dylan - sample lyric - "Hey girl/ Get on the dance floor/ And rip it up/ That's what it's there for" - in the light of this record the claim seems so ridiculous it is almost impossible to comprehend that this was not some 'hilarious' joke, like saying Christina Aguilera is a superior composer to Shostakovich. Borrell tries hard to paint a picture of the Dickensian, sex, drugs and rock'n'roll urchin lifestyle he desperately tries to lead, but ends up with one of the most unlistenably bad records of all time. If you're a poser and a fake, your music will sound posed and fake. No record illustrates this better than 'Up All Night'. Soulless and meaningless. Expand
  26. RosieG
    Jan 26, 2005
    4
    I'm just not convinced with Razorlight. There was all this hype surrounding them, I listen to the album expecting to be blown away. And frankly it does absolutly nothinhg for me. The band's image made me think it would be deeper than just a few slapstick love songs. Very disappointing.
  27. AndrewD
    Jan 25, 2005
    10
    Pure Quality, nothing better released since.
  28. GregS
    Jan 11, 2005
    10
    Ace
  29. jeffm
    Dec 9, 2004
    7
    this seems generic and a lot of the songs sound the same (actually, moreso the more i listen to the album), but it has such an overt sincerity that its hard to dislike. oh, its quite fun. and great production too.
  30. KatieH
    Nov 1, 2004
    8
    Razorlight may borrow much from others, but it doesn't make them bad men. Borrell is an amazing front man and makes their songs energetic, dynamic and exciting.
  31. maxm
    Oct 5, 2004
    10
    This album is quality music. end of story.
  32. SebastianS
    Sep 2, 2004
    8
    top rock record, consistently good with the odd brilliant track, worth a listen without a doubt.johnny borrell's head will just get bigger and bigger i think after this listen
  33. DannyC
    Aug 31, 2004
    10
    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO amazing album!!!!
  34. Fastnbulbous
    Aug 23, 2004
    9
    Sounds to me some of the negative reviewers are basing their opinions on the tabloids rather than their ears - something to do with the singer's personality/ego, and association with The Libertines (I wonder if The Pretty Things got the same bullshit because Dick Taylor played with an early version of the Stones). Look at Dotmusic and Pfork's complaint that they sound like Sounds to me some of the negative reviewers are basing their opinions on the tabloids rather than their ears - something to do with the singer's personality/ego, and association with The Libertines (I wonder if The Pretty Things got the same bullshit because Dick Taylor played with an early version of the Stones). Look at Dotmusic and Pfork's complaint that they sound like Television -- now what's so bad about that? I wish Television had influenced more bands than they have. Unfortunately Razorlight isn't one of them. Try Robert Quine's work in the Voidoids, Patti Smith Group and Bruce Springsteen. Sounds pretty damn promising to me. In fact it sounds pretty unique coming from a Brit band. It would be a pity if they deterred people from giving it a listen for themselves. Expand
  35. NickD
    Aug 23, 2004
    3
    Well, it's fairly standard NME-fare, isn't it? Which means great for all you pop kids, but people who like more than Malteasers music will have to search further than these mopheads and their equally average Libertine siblings. The songs are unremarkable (see "Golden Touch"), the lyrics are egotistical but verge on ridiculous (see "Vice"), and there's not enough variety. Well, it's fairly standard NME-fare, isn't it? Which means great for all you pop kids, but people who like more than Malteasers music will have to search further than these mopheads and their equally average Libertine siblings. The songs are unremarkable (see "Golden Touch"), the lyrics are egotistical but verge on ridiculous (see "Vice"), and there's not enough variety. Even their half-decent 2003 single Rip It Up sounds rather weak and very sub-pop punk in this context. Waste of money. Expand
  36. EastVillage
    Aug 22, 2004
    1
    "Boooooring Sidney! Boring, Boring, Boring!" Every riff on this album is stolen from an artist that is infinitley more talented they are. Razorlight should be forced to send the members of Television a dollar for evey lame- ass unit sold. The music is weak, and the lyrics are cringeworthy as well. Check out this pseudo-hipster swill: *And she's been reading Bukowski for days And she "Boooooring Sidney! Boring, Boring, Boring!" Every riff on this album is stolen from an artist that is infinitley more talented they are. Razorlight should be forced to send the members of Television a dollar for evey lame- ass unit sold. The music is weak, and the lyrics are cringeworthy as well. Check out this pseudo-hipster swill: *And she's been reading Bukowski for days And she leans over, spits her name in my face And says "Well now you know how it feels"* Poor Charles must be turning over in his grave now. Expand
  37. PaulG
    Aug 17, 2004
    10
    This is an outstanding CD! Every song is amazing and they have the best lyrics ever! Tip my hat off 2 u dudes!
  38. BenJ
    Aug 10, 2004
    7
    This is an exuberant, enthusiastic debut album with strong songs and some great playing (especially the tight rhythm section). My only criticism is the occasionally duff lyrics (eg ?with you?re your sweat-shop charm? ? erm, right?) which occasionally grate.
  39. PaulW
    Aug 8, 2004
    9
    Ok first things first, its just a rock album, nothing more nothing less, people think to much about music, just listen, and listen again, and u will undertand, it gives u everything u need! A great album dnt listen to what the mags say, find out for urself!
  40. Adalgiso
    Jul 22, 2004
    10
    It grows, and grows, and grows. If its L-O-V-E, I'll see you later.
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    As with the other great British debut of 2004 so far, by Franz Ferdinand, Up All Night ripples with cocksure sangfroid and a barely contained sexual fever. [Jul 2004, p.111]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Eclectic, combustible tunes. [3 Dec 2004, p.85]
  3. The best British debut since Oasis? Definitely... maybe. But one of the albums of the year? Without doubt.