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Varcharz
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Varcharz Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: This more typically abstract effort for the German duo is their first release for Ipecac and their first album since 2004's poppier 'Radical Connector.'

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Jagged, fractured, splintered, and downright violent-sounding, it's easily the most extreme music the duo has made.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    A much more serious, often less danceable, instrumental effort.
  3. Pitchfork
    71
    This is an impressive record in many respects, and its hooks and patterns only emerge after many plays, but it's also an oddly distant one.
  4. cokemachineglow
    65
    None of the really experimental stuff is so egregious to mar the album; it’s just fairly disposable after one keen listen. On the other hand, the good, funky stuff isn’t quite as good or funky as it has been in the past.
  5. Almost Cool
    65
    In the end, Varcharz feels like an in-betweener album, where the duo hasn't quite figured out which direction they want to move in next.
  6. Uncut
    60
    The saturation bombing technique is only partly successful. [Nov 2006, p.123]
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  7. Under The Radar
    50
    Two of the last tracks, “Bertney” and especially “Retphase,” end up succeeding where most of the album is lacking in finding the perfect balance between left-field beats and compulsive rhythms. Too bad the rest of the album doesn’t hit the same mark. [#15]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. amcc
    Oct 6, 2006
    8
    I dont see how anyone can make claims that MoM are being to experimental on any album. Saying something like that is nearly contradictive to I dont see how anyone can make claims that MoM are being to experimental on any album. Saying something like that is nearly contradictive to the very being that is MoM. I perhaps like this record better than the last if only for the very fact that it uses much of the same sound and style for its basis but takes it further leftfield.… Expand
  2. PaulH
    Oct 2, 2006
    8
    I think they made exactly the record they wanted to, and did a damned good job of it. It is certainly more abstract than their last outing, I think they made exactly the record they wanted to, and did a damned good job of it. It is certainly more abstract than their last outing, but retains their love for beats and song. Ironically, that is what probably got "Radical Connector" accused of being "poppy."… Expand
  4. mikes.
    Sep 26, 2006
    5
    Alright, I'm biased as a hardcore mouse on mars fan. However, I'm disappointed with this release. It is a mess, and sounds dated. Alright, I'm biased as a hardcore mouse on mars fan. However, I'm disappointed with this release. It is a mess, and sounds dated. This mouse on mars album was recorded at the same time as their previous album. But its the exact opposite of their last album, not catchy, and way too experimental. Sounds like something that might of been good if it was released in 2000 or 2001, but times have changed, and so has electronic music, mouse on mars you need to evolve ur production skills r weak.… Collapse