• Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Jun 22, 2004
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Goswell's voice... is a rich wonder in itself; and unlike every other singer-songwriter in the world, she sounds nothing like Nick Drake! [26 Jun 2004, p.55]
  2. Each song is meticulously constructed, and feels like a musical soundtrack to lush, magical worlds.
  3. Q Magazine
    70
    A winsome, musically surprising outing. [Jul 2004, p.114]
  4. The album's ambition is rich musical diversity, but it sounds less adventurously eclectic than simply scattershot, less assertive than merely restless, eager to try anything but not always sure what works and what doesn't.
  5. Uncut
    60
    At times songs pass by too easily. [Sep 2004, p.104]
  6. While Waves is not quite a knockout, it delivers some undeniable pleasures nonetheless.
  7. The sad thing about Waves are Universal is that there are many songs that just don't cut it.
  8. Goswell deserves praise for putting together a solid album that could appeal to both fans of her previous work and others.
  9. Waves is an album filled with nice touches and sincere sentiment, not much more.
  10. Despite the pristine texture, though, many of the melodies find themselves veering into the frankly repulsive world of adult contemporary.
  11. The record is rather safe, lacking an adventurousness that is only touched upon and possibly kept under wraps for the sake of not seeming like too much of a departure.
  12. There are too many ambitious singer/songwriter albums out there to easily justify any water-treading.
  13. Under The Radar
    50
    Without the production pizzazz that made Slowdive so compelling, Goswell is left somewhat adrift. [#7]
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. anonymous
    Aug 13, 2004
    10
    Overall, a beautifully touching set of songs. The melodies are sweetly subdued and linger in the mind long after the disc stops spinning. Overall, a beautifully touching set of songs. The melodies are sweetly subdued and linger in the mind long after the disc stops spinning. I've been listening to it endlessly since the time I picked it up. A must have for fans of quiet, unassuming, and charming music. Full Review »