Within and Without
by Washed Out
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Jul 12, 2011
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
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  1. AllMusic
    Dec 9, 2011
    60
    When you want to hear something nice and don't want to be overly engaged or challenged, Within and Without will satisfy your needs in that regard, and only those looking for memorable songs or fresh sounds will feel let down.
  2. No Ripcord
    Nov 10, 2011
    40
    There's a significant lack of depth to Within and Without.
  3. Uncut
    Jul 28, 2011
    60
    Within And Without charts a familiar shimmery beachscape between Julee Cruise and Lynchpop, early OMD and Slowdive. A couple tracks emerge from the haze. [Aug 2011, p.89]
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  5. NOW Magazine
    Jul 14, 2011
    60
    The album drowns in atmospherics to the point where it could be entirely instrumental. Greene casts an enjoyably suggestive spell but it wafts right through you.
  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. Dusted Magazine
    Jul 11, 2011
    60
    It's a record with 20-20 hindsight vision. It perfects the past's mistakes, but misses the fun in making them.
  8. Consequence
    Jul 11, 2011
    40
    Greene's efforts of merging the decidedly low-key sounds of bedroom music and the urban thump of hip-hop represent a good first step in the continued evolution of the genre, but in the end, the resulting efforts feel warped by the confines of Greene's bedroom pop dedication.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 11, 2011
    50
    Within And Without hangs oppressively, saved only by fleeting moments of clarity like the title track's stabbing outro, or the jump-rope glitter that opens 'Before'.
  10. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jul 11, 2011
    50
    It's an album you can hear without ever really noticing. Radox for the ears.
  11. BBC Music
    Jul 8, 2011
    50
    Etiolation and enervation were always key to chillwave/glo-fi's appeal, but this is just too pallid, too washed-out.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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