User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
White Bread Black Beer Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: Not-so-prolific Welsh singer-songwriter Green Gartside returns with his first Scritti Politti album in seven years.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Uncut
    100
    Could very well be the best record of this restlessly self-critical career. [Jul 2006, p.90]
  2. With its laptop beats and closely mic’d intimacy, White Bread, Black Beer conforms to the dictates of a creator with endless time to play all the instruments and no one to please but himself, regrettably.
  3. I’m beginning to think it’s one of the smartest records-- musically and lyrically-- we’ll hear all year.
  4. Most of White Bread Black Beer is almost unbearably lovely.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Even the ticking percussion and trilling synths can't hide the sheer melodic oddness of Gartside's songs. [3 Jun 2006, p.35]
  6. Blender
    70
    Over girl-group incantations, reggae lilt and courageously dinky old-school hip-hop allusions, Gartside searches for his emotional car keys, each comely coo abstracting him further from the truth he seeks. [Aug 2006, p.117]
  7. Spin
    40
    Wordy but somnambulant. [Sep 2006, p.112]

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Oct 30, 2011
    10
    Just discovered this album by chance about 2 months ago. I was a fan of the 80's scritti politti and this is definitely not cupid & psycheJust discovered this album by chance about 2 months ago. I was a fan of the 80's scritti politti and this is definitely not cupid & psyche or provision. The first few times I listened to this I did not really get it. But when I finally got onto the same wavelength as Gartside, I was able to appreciate the pure GENIUS of this album. It is actually some of the best music I've heard in years!! "Favorite" track - "Locked" although it's all good. Absolutely beautiful, soothing, intelligent music, great vocals...PURE GENIUS. Cannot stop listening to this. Expand
  2. nemorino
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    Alludes to wasted years, unhealthy addictions with poise, elegance and not inconsiderable regret. Takes a while - but stay with it!
  3. Apr 24, 2011
    10
    This is quite fantastic, amazing, I am with every breath of it all the way....... is my desert island disc, the one i'd run to save when theThis is quite fantastic, amazing, I am with every breath of it all the way....... is my desert island disc, the one i'd run to save when the waves come crashing in.... Expand
  4. IndroV
    Aug 11, 2006
    9
    A great record !
  5. MaxM
    Mar 11, 2007
    9
    Am a huge Scritti fan and although this didn't grab me on first listen, it has worked its way into my brain and heavy rotation in my Am a huge Scritti fan and although this didn't grab me on first listen, it has worked its way into my brain and heavy rotation in my ipod. As always, Green surprises and satisfies. Still think Anomie was sorely underrated. Expand
  6. EndaG
    Oct 12, 2006
    9
    This is a superbly intelligent, melodic and rich album that improves with time. Stunning work.
  7. JoelB
    Sep 25, 2006
    3
    It's wonderful that Green is still alive. But musically, really, go back and listen to Scritti's old stuff. He's lost it.

See all 9 User Reviews