Welcome Reality
by Nero
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. AllMusic
    Dec 13, 2011
    60
    Buried beneath the relentless, grinding beats and wobbly bass tremors, Welcome Reality is home to a potentially great but unfinished sci-fi blockbuster soundtrack, but unable to sustain its early momentum, it ends up being merely a solid first offering rather than the trail-blazing spectacular that was anticipated.
  2. BBC Music
    Aug 17, 2011
    60
    Ultimately, despite its makers' impressive credentials, this debut long-player is destined for the homes of listeners with more Basshunter in their collection than Burial.
  3. Clash Music
    Aug 12, 2011
    40
    Most of Welcome Reality is so in your face and predictable it feels like the musical equivalent of a Michael Bay movie: loud, crass, periodically fun, but ultimately forgettable.
  5. Consequence
    Dec 19, 2011
    60
    Had Nero not loitered on their cozy euphoric plateau, Welcome Reality may have given those Tron: Legacy co-conspirators a good fight.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Dec 9, 2011
    75
    Beneath the blistering beats, Reality reveals some serious electro-pop sparkle. [16 Dec 2011, p.83]
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  7. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 12, 2011
    63
    As effective as it is predictable, Welcome Reality will inevitably soundtrack thousands of summer and fall blowouts. Even if they're just fiddling with the formula, Nero understand how to make things burn.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Aug 15, 2011
    60
    Welcome Reality gets it half right--this is a decent debut which more than lives up to the hype, but is so mind-blowingly out-there that any suggestion that it resembles 'reality' ought to launch a Trading Standards investigation.
  9. No Ripcord
    Aug 22, 2011
    60
    The relentless energy expended throughout the album will no doubt also make the album appeal to fans of Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Pendulum or the Prodigy. But listeners with a broader appreciation of dance and electronic music would be well advised to source their dubstep fix from elsewhere.
  10. PopMatters
    Jan 26, 2012
    70
    '80s synthpop pandering aside, Welcome Reality is a beautifully realized vision of an album whose pomp and bombast will appeal to those looking for pop that goes beyond dancing.
  11. Q Magazine
    Aug 16, 2011
    80
    London "ravestep" duo make vividly raucous debut. [Sept. 2011, p. 115]
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  12. Spin
    Aug 12, 2011
    70
    Watson gives Nero's robotic skronk a rare injection of humanity, and the U.K. producers are smart enough to build most of their debut full-length around her husky voice.
  13. The Guardian
    Aug 12, 2011
    60
    Despite all the prog allusions and big concepts, it turns out what Nero are really good at is something all the prog allusions and big concepts suggest they might disdain: pop music.
  14. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Aug 16, 2011
    70
    Their command of "neeeooow" noises suggests a schooling in retro rave, and their cover of the Jets' "Crush" turns the sugary original into something superbly sinister and stalker-ish.
  15. The New York Times
    Dec 19, 2011
    70
    Welcome Reality pulls dubstep toward the arena-pop spotlight without leaving its shadows behind.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 54
  3. Negative: 4 out of 54
  1. BIGREESE
    Dec 16, 2011
    10
    I find this album to be quite amazing. Nero did a fantastic job, A Rave like duo drawing inspirations from artists such as daft punk,I find this album to be quite amazing. Nero did a fantastic job, A Rave like duo drawing inspirations from artists such as daft punk, sprinkling some dub step, dance, and awesome vocals make this album truly awesome from start to finish.… Full Review »
  2. UserRange
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    This album is amazing and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Nero have done an amazing job. Every track on the album is great. SomeThis album is amazing and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Nero have done an amazing job. Every track on the album is great. Some of my favourites would include Guilt, My Eyes and Promises but I really have enjoyed the whole album.… Full Review »
  3. matdar_kolejorz
    Nov 19, 2011
    9
    Most of the songs in this album are great in my opinion. The combination of the music and the vocals work really well, which got 'Promises' toMost of the songs in this album are great in my opinion. The combination of the music and the vocals work really well, which got 'Promises' to the top of the charts. I strongly recommend this album.… Full Review »
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