• Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2007
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. All said, the album’s capably produced by Tony Doogan, Secret Machines aspirations and all, and it’s a debut wrapped in sophomore expansion, a third of a universe away from anything deservedly cosmic and anything appropriately full.
  2. Urb
    90
    A fierce vision quest of psychedelic riffs 'n' roll that manages to sound like hard rock, shoegazer and new rave all within the same song, yet never feeling forced or false. [Mar 2007, p.98]
  3. Filter
    72
    Wolf & Cub manage to fill Vessels to the brim with irreverent guitar solos, pounding bass lines, and, well, let's just say they have two drummers for a good reason. [#24, p.102]
  4. Spin
    70
    In lieu of dynamics, [bassist Thomas] Mayhew's pull-out method keeps the album engaging. [Mar 2007, p.99]
  5. There's plenty to miss here if you make the easy, been-there, heard-that dismissals, even if it's still mostly just stoner rock.
  6. That the songs are essentially interchangeable 8-cylinder rawk is one thing; that they begin to clearly resemble the long-forgotten, acid-coated Eastern-revivalists Kula Shaker is something more distressing altogether.
  7. Whilst it might not reinvent the wheel, Vessels is a rewarding slice of indie rock with a pleasing amount of dark psycadelic twist.
  8. In the end, Vessels comes across as a promising guitar-driven breath of fresh air trapped in a box of squeaky-clean studio tricks; what was hopeful is now hopeless, and what seemed like an exciting rock revival is simply a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
  9. Under The Radar
    70
    A fetching blend of noise, melody, and swagger. [#17, p.88]
  10. Blender
    60
    Many songs start out as radio-friendly rockets before shooting off into a disorienting psychedelic haze. [May 2007, p.106]
  11. Uncut
    70
    If the Valentines' inspired drone-rock of "Hammond" suggests a more stoned Spiritualized, their commercial future will depend on refining relentless glam-stomps "This Mess" and "Steal Their Gold." [May 2007, p.115]
  12. Q Magazine
    60
    [It] mines a similar seam of hard rock to that pursued by countrymen Wolfmother, only without so many Black Sabbath influences. [May 2007, p.129]
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. amelia
    Apr 10, 2007
    7
    amazing live - two drummers! great band + great album
  2. JustinS
    Apr 9, 2007
    8
    Pretty good album, awesome live.
  3. mfetter
    Mar 7, 2007
    2
    this sonic drivel acheived critical "universal acclaim"? maybe if i can just get my ears closer to my ass i can figure out what i'm this sonic drivel acheived critical "universal acclaim"? maybe if i can just get my ears closer to my ass i can figure out what i'm missing. ok, that's better. listening closer now to hear what's to like, but concluding metacritic's reviewers ("users") are either A) too easily wowed, or B) so eager to be out in front of a buzz band / peer concious they'll swallow & bandwagon any monotonous, droning noise as indispensable. if monotony's w&c's point - i get it, enough already. you can catch this level of talent in any dive bar any night of the week. pointless hype. bring on the new arctic monkeys disc. Full Review »