It often sounds as though Croft's really having to fight herself not to sound like a more polished sort of singer. Normally I like this less contrived approach but the album as a whole left me unimpressed. I've heard this sort of thing done before and done better.

I really liked this album a lot the first time i listened to it, unfortunately the more I listen to it the more frustrated I get. Kinda like Nouvelle Vague without the excellent covers which leaves you with great voices but nothing earth shatteringly new or spectacular. Coming soon to a coffee or candle shop near you. 10 bucks says my ex-girlfriend is listening to this right now.

While this CD is good, it is not as ground breaking or innovative as the critics suggest - I do know, maybe for 19 year olds. There are other low-key indie rock or pop CDs released during 2009 that are better; for example, Bat For Lashes - Two Suns and Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career; also, I recommend the just released Beach House - Teen Dream. Additional better musical investments from 2009 are Girls - Album and Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca. I will keep this xx CD (I do like it) but I am debating whether I will still go see their upcoming sold out Atlanta show - I can get double face value for my ticket!… Expand

Good, simple, but overrated. We can expect great things from The XX in the future.

Soothing, refreshing & simple.

Best album I've heard all year. Totally infectious. Has been on repeat for over a week. Love it.

Simply great!

Even though the music feels simple and could be boring, this. vocally driven album cuts deep.

It's a bland album for me. The songs sounds boring, and often kind of inexpressive. Romy's voice is not suitable for the lo-fi scene, and the band sure enough sounds like over hyped. At least their songs are well-written, but the melodies and beats are saturated sound among so much strangeness. The metal strings are over produced. Maybe the band can improve musically, but now it sounds just like nothing outrageous to me.… Expand

This is one of the best albums i have ever heard, not trying to recreate just another popular sound. This is in my opinion a groundbreaking album, and a huge breath of fresh air in what seems to be a fastly genre merging music market.

Putting it simply about this album is all you can do - just a simple, great indie album.

Really boring album. I like only two songs here - 'Intro and' 'Islands'

My favorite album of 2009. Sexy, addicting, energetic!

An extraordinary debut...seamless and seemingly effortless.

By far, the best album I've heard all year. It's absolutely stunning that it's only their debut. The gorgeous, melodic dream pop this young band creates is hard to compare to others. Each song is a pretty as the long. My favorites have to be "VCR," "Heart Skipped a Beat" and "Shelter." But that's only after two listens, so I haven't gotten to known the album thoroughly, but I do know enough that you fall in love even after the first listen.… Expand

When your sound is this sparse and open, the focus goes to the lyrics. while these lyrics aren't bad, I think they could and should be the center piece of the album. in stead I think they hold it back a bit. that being said, I still enjoyed the album and it's among one of the best debut albums I've heard recently.

Brilliant most of the time, though it does fade away a little at the end, like most albums this year (apart from Lungs and It's Blitz!). The gloomy and bleak arrangements remind me of Joy Division, but the beats and crazily overused bass give the songs a very modern feel. Indie meets r'n'b! Especially like Islands, Crystalised and Shelter.

Well build up songs, great basslines and super darkish atmosphere!

Amazing, simply amazing.

Beautiful record!

The Best album of 2009. And even more brilliant debut than the pains of being pure ate heart also this year¡¡¡¡¡.

This album is a game-changer. Period.

Excellent debut album; stripped down and sparse, but still absolutely captivating and unique. This will make a lot of critic's top ten lists this year, and it should. The male and female lead singers also complement each other quite nicely; give this one a chance, it may sound a bit boring at first but it's worth the investment to get to know.

Unbelievable, literally speechless.

Love this album. It borrows from many of my favorite sounds (New Wave, Alternative) while also managing to sound fresh and new. What is also astounding is the band members, comprised of 2 men and 2 women, are only 19!!! Check them out.

It's unique, it's elegant and it's just freaking incredible. It's baby making music for people with $300 headphones. The XX's debut stuns on the first listen and just keeps getting better.

I really enjoy the simplicity of the arrangements and the understated tone. So much music just sounds overproduced. Its like a reaciton to all that pop music with vocals treated with that god-awful autotune rubbish. NICE.

Great album, with absolutely no filler at all. Atmospheric and sparse, achieved without being pretentious or unnatural. The duet works extremely well, and the band's music and lyrics reflects its maturity considering their age and their probable experience with music. Amazing.