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Within and Without
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Within and Without Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: Ernest Greene releases his first full-length of dreamy synth-pop under his Washed Out moniker.
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Top Track

Eyes Be Closed
Inside your voice resounds, Your thoughts realign Your words recall to mind Your short sweet life Hear voices all in time?) Hear the words... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Spin
    Jul 11, 2011
    90
    For his full-length debut, Greene teams with producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley) to revisit his '80s reveries, crafting Balearic bliss ("Eyes Be Closed") and refreshing New Romantic flounce ("Amor Fati"). He even invigorates '90s trip-hop's head-nod ("Before," the title track), making for an even better coast soundtrack.
  2. Filter
    Jul 19, 2011
    82
    Within and Without feels tentative and restrained; Greene has toiled in the chillwave hinterlands to finally release a beautiful debut, and he's good enough to let it ride.
  3. CMJ
    Jul 29, 2011
    80
    Chillwave touchstones are alive and well on the record; tender, nostalgic vibes still emanate from each throwback synth pad and ethereal two-part harmony, and there's still plenty of reverb to go around.
  4. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 11, 2011
    71
    So while the stylistic homogeneity erodes its high points, and it sometimes feels like one giant song, Within and Without harbours some rich, emotive sounds under its monochrome canopy.
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jul 11, 2011
    70
    It's more pleasant than arresting.
  6. Boston Globe
    Jul 12, 2011
    60
    Easy to listen to but impossible to feel excited about, this album is compelling evidence that chillwave's allure has been eviscerated.
  7. Alternative Press
    Jul 8, 2011
    30
    One-man synth-pop act Ernest Greene's singing lacks firm consonants and dribbles out unintelligibly most of the time over the most compelling of his stripped-down electronic compositions. [Aug 2011, p.122]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. AdmiralSalmon
    Jul 18, 2011
    10
    Harsh, Deathromp. I quite liked it. Ernest Greene has built upon the sound that made his 2009 debut so successful and fun. A carefree LP forHarsh, Deathromp. I quite liked it. Ernest Greene has built upon the sound that made his 2009 debut so successful and fun. A carefree LP for the remainder of Summer and beyond with one of the finest singles of the summer: "Eyes Be Closed". Impressive stuff from the young Georgian.… Expand
  2. BrushedRed
    Feb 16, 2015
    9
    Will never understand the blah ratings this group gets. I absolutely love this album. Smooth, chill, jams. Nice vibes all around and veryWill never understand the blah ratings this group gets. I absolutely love this album. Smooth, chill, jams. Nice vibes all around and very catchy beats. This is the perfect soundtrack to being drunk on the beach in San Diego. Not their best album, but definitely second favorite.… Expand
  4. Belmsher
    Aug 11, 2011
    7
    So many sublime melodies in this album and shoegaze explorations which all work out really well. And "Amor Fati" is, oh, absolutely transcendental.
  5. ChuckAmok
    Jul 20, 2011
    6
    It doesn't really do anything that Life of Leisure didn't do better. It's still has all those same qualities of wistful prettiness that madeIt doesn't really do anything that Life of Leisure didn't do better. It's still has all those same qualities of wistful prettiness that made the previous disc so gorgeous, but it just sounds a little stuck in a rut. It's a nice rut, ok? It'd be great to have sex to if anyone was interested, but the highlight would almost certainly be the sex. Still, good headphone record to get a little lost in.… Expand
  6. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    3
    Not terrible, but nothing spectacular. You turn the record on and you think it's not too bad. Then you forget about it. An hour passes and youNot terrible, but nothing spectacular. You turn the record on and you think it's not too bad. Then you forget about it. An hour passes and you realize you had been listening to something. That's when you say f*** it and move onto better things.… Expand
  7. Deathromp
    Jul 13, 2011
    0
    Quasi-sophisticated muzak for those who'd rather not listen to music... catatonia for the catatonic. At the turn of the 21st century, tackyQuasi-sophisticated muzak for those who'd rather not listen to music... catatonia for the catatonic. At the turn of the 21st century, tacky ambient compilations emblazoned with the garish words 'chill', 'lounge', 'chill-out'... or sometimes 'buddha' sprung onto the cd racks of our less keen relatives/ friends houses - terrestrial taste at it's finest. We were always polite enough to vocalize our endorsement of Massive Attack, Sigur Ros, or Radiohead (prior to the faintly audible remix). Then... there was 'chill wave': a now legitimate genre - a collation of synthpop, house, trip-hop, ambient... just more faceless and muted - than ever. And Sub Pop approves. The boundaries between art and commerce have officially vanished.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2011

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