You & Me
by The Walkmen
  • Record Label: Gigantic
  • Release Date: Aug 19, 2008
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 68 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 68
  3. Negative: 7 out of 68

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  1. MuzzleOfBees
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    A perfect fall record. Look beyond the obvious winners ("In The New Year", "Red Moon", the instant classic "Canadian Girl") and there's much to discover and cherish. "Long Time Ahead Of Us" is an underrated gem. Open the windows, put on the vinyl, and luxuriate in your 10.0 taste in music.
  2. mbagely
    Jan 17, 2011
    10
    It took a little time for the album to become truly accessible for me, but when the tracks start to unfold, it is truly beautiful and exhilirating,..,.
  3. JohnB.
    Aug 22, 2009
    10
    I only started getting into the walkmen when they released Bows and Arrows. So I didn't have a rich history of expectation leading into this album. At first, I liked a few songs a lot and the others faded into the background. But after repeated listens, I don't know how I didn't notice the other songs...they're the standouts now. Even though they're influenced by I only started getting into the walkmen when they released Bows and Arrows. So I didn't have a rich history of expectation leading into this album. At first, I liked a few songs a lot and the others faded into the background. But after repeated listens, I don't know how I didn't notice the other songs...they're the standouts now. Even though they're influenced by black-and-white old fashioness, this album sounds timeless, and each song is brimming with authentic, simple emotion...and fun. Tied for my favorite album of 2008 along with the French Kick's "Swimming".… Expand
  4. TKOFOX
    May 22, 2009
    7
    This album is good. Some songs aren't as good as others, however, collectively this album seems to mean more then others. This isn't a hard listen, "In The New Year" is great.
  5. flubs
    May 14, 2009
    10
    This is a seriously amazing album, one of the best of 2008... Uncut clearly wouldn't know how to pick a decent album even if it slapped them in their face several times over, back and fourth, back and fourth.
  6. PeterP.
    Mar 19, 2009
    2
    Only One song saves the disc: In the new year, the rest, is so disappointment.
  7. PatK
    Feb 9, 2009
    10
    Awesome CD... Cannot get enough.
  8. JJ
    Dec 15, 2008
    10
    Album of the year!
  9. JC
    Dec 15, 2008
    10
    The masterpiece of 2008.
  10. XY
    Nov 13, 2008
    10
    Solid all around with great and powerful songs from start to finish.
  11. AramisG.
    Oct 8, 2008
    9
    The album they should have followed up their first with. Welcome back.
  12. ChristianP
    Oct 5, 2008
    9
    This album feels like a convertible ride to Mexico after a wedding in the 50s. Easily one of the year's best albums. More rewarding with every listen. Equal parts cathartic and lilting.
  13. FabianoS.
    Sep 14, 2008
    10
    Beautiful songs and melodies. One of the best album of the year. Great job from The Walkmen.
  14. VJ
    Sep 4, 2008
    10
    At first, completely underwhelmed, especially comparing it to previous highlights. After spending some quality time with it, completely overwhelmed. Brilliant. I can't stop listening to this album and it keeps growing in depth of feeling and meaning with each listen.
  15. Marc
    Sep 3, 2008
    10
    Maybe their best album. I love the balance between slow-burners like Long Time Ahead of Us and then gutsy rockers like On the Water. The Walkmen have an atmospheric sense that most other rock bands simply lack. They're going to be around a long time.
  16. anthonyD
    Aug 30, 2008
    9
    Definitely The Walkmen's most full-bodied album and certainly their deepest. This is one of the most romantic albums crafted in recent memory. If I hear a song more sincere than "New Country" then I will have complete faith in where music is heading.
  17. EricC.
    Aug 29, 2008
    9
    Though widely labeled as a much quieter and subtle album than fans of the Walkmen might be used to, this album is still immediately stunning. I'm not a huge Walkmen fan, but this cd just knocked me out. They may not be the most consisten band, but when they're at their best, well, they can stand comfortably next to the Arcade Fire or Shins or whichever other indie mega group you Though widely labeled as a much quieter and subtle album than fans of the Walkmen might be used to, this album is still immediately stunning. I'm not a huge Walkmen fan, but this cd just knocked me out. They may not be the most consisten band, but when they're at their best, well, they can stand comfortably next to the Arcade Fire or Shins or whichever other indie mega group you can think of. And they are at their best here, possibly at the best they've ever been.… Expand
  18. SethC
    Aug 28, 2008
    10
    Their best record from start to finish. The rest of their records are also great, but this is the one that people twenty years from now will go to first.
  19. ScottM
    Aug 28, 2008
    4
    I really wanted to like this album because a buddy of mine recommended it, but after 5 or 6 listens I just don't get what the hype is all about. His Dylanesque voice annoys me and I'm a Dylan fan! There are a few songs that are decent but not enough for me to listen to it again.
  20. JoelW.
    Aug 27, 2008
    9
    Its fantastic. The lead sounds like Bob Dylan. The music is warm, relaxing and moody. Perhaps simply, comfortably atmospheric. It's good listening, and after the albums 12th subsequent whirl round the stereo, I'm still paying it due attention.
  21. ScottC.
    Aug 27, 2008
    9
    If you like this it would be awesome if you'd check out the podcasts I've started doing. We focus on bands like Walkmen... livingears. blogspot. com
  22. GaryM.
    Aug 27, 2008
    10
    This is their most accessible album to date, despite not having any song that sounds like "The Rat" but every song, from start to finish, is solid, and the songwriting, production, lyrics, and singing is better than any Walkmen album that came before and anything else I've heard this year or even in the past few years. I saw them live twice in L.A. and both nights were unbelievable. This is their most accessible album to date, despite not having any song that sounds like "The Rat" but every song, from start to finish, is solid, and the songwriting, production, lyrics, and singing is better than any Walkmen album that came before and anything else I've heard this year or even in the past few years. I saw them live twice in L.A. and both nights were unbelievable. They seemed happier and friendlier than they did in shows I saw in the past.… Expand
  23. ElizabethA
    Aug 26, 2008
    8
    A melancholy trip. Love "On the Water." Completely eerie and addictive.
  24. MarkE
    Aug 23, 2008
    10
    The album is just excellent. The best, most consistent band working today.
  25. MikeM
    Aug 23, 2008
    9
    A damn beautiful and powerful album. The most complete one they've put together since "Everyone Pretented...". And just as good live.
  26. ChrisD.
    Aug 22, 2008
    9
    A remarkable album and a pleasant summer surprise. In terms of musical achievement, it's equal to Bows + Arrows, but has the added perk of more cohesion from song to song (as Benjamin said below) and Hamilton's best vocal tracks to date.
  27. NickE
    Aug 22, 2008
    7
    Being the Walkmen gets a band many stars in my book, but relative to their other albums this one is kind of disappointing. It lacks the raw energy and great songwriting of "Bows + Arrows" and the risk-taking of "A Hundred Miles Off". While there are some great songs here - "Blue Route" and "On the Water", to name 2 - overall there are just too many slow songs, and the album really drags Being the Walkmen gets a band many stars in my book, but relative to their other albums this one is kind of disappointing. It lacks the raw energy and great songwriting of "Bows + Arrows" and the risk-taking of "A Hundred Miles Off". While there are some great songs here - "Blue Route" and "On the Water", to name 2 - overall there are just too many slow songs, and the album really drags towards the end. If you're new to this band and you enjoyed this album, you'll probably really love their earlier work.… Expand
  28. MichaelJ.
    Aug 21, 2008
    10
    Maybe their best work yet, at least equal to Bows + Arrows and a top 5 album this year, go get it now!
  29. MarcH
    Aug 21, 2008
    9
    Very very solid. One of my favorites for the year.
  30. MikeS.
    Aug 20, 2008
    10
    Ok, so seriously the album is a 9 but I'm putting 10 because someone is bound to under-rate this album. This is the best Walkmen release since Bows + Arrows, forget the last two albums and do yourself a favor, get one of the best albums of the year...you won't regret it.
  31. WillC.
    Aug 20, 2008
    10
    This album is the best of the year so far for me.
  32. [Anonymous]
    Aug 19, 2008
    10
    Incredible.
  33. ChrisK
    Aug 19, 2008
    10
    One of the best albums of the year ... hands down.
  34. BenjaminH.
    Aug 19, 2008
    10
    Equal to Bows and Arrows, but more cohesive. I've been listening to it 4 times a day for the past three weeks.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Discussed Album of 2008
72
#72 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    It’s impossible to fully return all the way home again, but You & Me is the next best thing.
    Read full review
  2. The A.V. Club
    100
    In 'The Blue Route,' it hits home like a 30th birthday--and as the standout 'In The New Year' points out, realizing "It's all over anyhow" can be invigorating, a way of readying oneself for the next, far more interesting chapter.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    70
    [Leithauser’s] voice has filled out, like an adolescent discovering girls and his true sound at the same time. But too often on You & Me the rest of the group sounds pedestrian, cautiously still and unambitiously sticking to what they know so well.
    Read full review
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