User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Dec 8, 2016
    8
    Due to the tragic end of this band and the posthumous nature of the release, it's hard to know what exactly we have with this album in terms of how close it is to what would have been released had the band gone on. It sounds fairly complete, if a little raw around the edges. You can hear influences from contemporary bands, with FOALS along with the likes of say The Kooks having a majorDue to the tragic end of this band and the posthumous nature of the release, it's hard to know what exactly we have with this album in terms of how close it is to what would have been released had the band gone on. It sounds fairly complete, if a little raw around the edges. You can hear influences from contemporary bands, with FOALS along with the likes of say The Kooks having a major influence on the guitar sound. What stands out is the bands' pop sensibilities and ability to forge hooks that burrow into your consciousness. There is a bit of repetition of ideas as the album plays through while the lyrics are typically underdeveloped as is par for the course with most indie debut album - girls and nights out etc. I'll tell you what though, "Really Wanna Call" is a top tune and I'm confident I'll be playing it in years to come. I'd like to think this track was a sign of things to come from Viola Beach. A strangely joyous album with terribly sad connotations. Expand
  2. Aug 14, 2016
    8
    Hard not to be influenced by the poignancy of this album, but I still was very impressed by this quite poppy indie album. Quite catchy tunes that I will relish listening to more than a few times. Found the closing line of the closing song to leave me with a lump in the throat - "...so I learned how to sing".
    Deserving of the posthumous success.
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Aug 3, 2016
    70
    Despite the haunting narrative tied to the album, Viola Beach remains the sound of youth, hope, and possibility.
  2. 60
    Still, while their lyrics could be fine-tuned, it’s hard not to warm to a quartet whose obvious pleasure at being in a group pervades every adrenaline-charged note.
  3. Jul 29, 2016
    70
    Most poignant are the songs that offer something a little different from standard, because these are the instances where you can hear the makings of the band proper.