Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Brilliant, shimmering and wonderfully composed, Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn is one of the best albums of year, and the best album GY!BE have never released.
  2. Heard once, the record is breathtaking for its emotional qualities. Heard twice, it begins to sound more and more like a brilliantly crafted classical chamber piece, with themes holding each of the hymns up to the same illuminating light.
  3. Easily the best work that the group has done.
  4. Winter Hymn is one of the year's memorable, noteworthy listens, and DMST's finest effort overall.
  5. Do Make Say Think have presented us with their best work yet, a varied and unpredictable album capable of imparting the chill of the winter and the warmth of celebratory joy to you without ever presenting you with a human voice.
  6. It seamlessly combines the choicest bits and bobbles of other acts into an overwhelming patchwork of sound and fury, but in the process, the band occasionally loses sight of their own identity.
  7. It’s a strong and dynamic step forward for the group and deserves to bring them a level of recognition commonly accorded their more famous Montréal label-mates.
  8. This is a brilliant and varied album, risky and excessive at times, yet compelling and open throughout.
  9. The whole affair is deeply involving, full of odd punctuations and wonderful non-linear compositional structures.
  10. The Wire
    70
    The album becomes more experimental and confident as it progresses. [#236, p.59]
  11. While not exactly self-evident or easy to spot, the song structures are more prevalent than before.
  12. Q Magazine
    70
    Diminished by their willingness to splash about in the post-Tortoise shallows. [Dec 2003, p.124]

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. brianj
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    Best album I've heard in a while. Will take you through most every emotion.
  2. Hunter
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    Amazing. A more jazz-inflected post-rock, resulting in a pastoral vibe not dissimilar to Boards of Canada. I'd say they're the best Amazing. A more jazz-inflected post-rock, resulting in a pastoral vibe not dissimilar to Boards of Canada. I'd say they're the best band in the world. & Yet & Yet is a little better, though. Full Review »
  3. MCahill
    Dec 26, 2003
    10
    Albums just don't come with this much willingness to exist. Urgent, positive, textured, astonishing.