Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 29
  2. Negative: 1 out of 29
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  1. 75
    Tennis are still cute as a button, but now they have songs to go along with the smiles.
  2. Mar 15, 2012
    67
    Young & Old proves it can still make shimmering beach pop even while anchored to the shore.
  3. Feb 24, 2012
    60
    It is still mostly sickly sweet sounds from Tennis, but the band must be commended for talking a bolder step the second time around.
  4. Feb 21, 2012
    75
    Young and Old may not be of the moment, it may not be sophisticated, it may not be ground-breaking, but it's a record that's hard to turn off once you put it on, and sometimes that's all it takes.
  5. Feb 17, 2012
    80
    With the wind still in their sails, Tennis have smashed another winner.
  6. Feb 17, 2012
    60
    Tennis offer a solid but unspectacular album by a band capable of great beauty but one who seem to struggle translating that into great songs.
  7. Feb 16, 2012
    70
    Young & Old is a more mature release which demonstrates that Tennis possess both the wisdom and guile to evolve.
  8. Feb 16, 2012
    80
    Young And Old is a confident, solid indie pop album that builds on the band's previous sound.
  9. Feb 15, 2012
    39
    The result is an album that is still adrift at sea, unaware of the musical landscape around them.
  10. Feb 15, 2012
    78
    [Producer Patrick Carney] allows the band to retain their innate sweetness while ever so deftly smudging the edges of their sunshiney sound.
  11. Feb 15, 2012
    60
    Seems more forced and formulaic than the carefree indie-pop of Cape Dory.
  12. Feb 15, 2012
    80
    Smart, soulful pop.
  13. Feb 14, 2012
    50
    The music is too monochromatically saccharine (whether cheery, wistful, or both) to faithfully conjure anything more than a narrow and fleeting slice of human experience.
  14. Feb 14, 2012
    67
    Songs like "Traveling" and "Robin" attempt to capture the same magic of Cape Dory but feel a bit out of place amongst all the displays of emotional angst elsewhere.
  15. Feb 14, 2012
    75
    With a production assist from the Black Keys' Patrick Carney, it's a grown-up sophomore effort that embraces broader pop sensibilities.
  16. Feb 14, 2012
    80
    Tennis are making some of the best pop music around in 2012, and that's plenty good enough.
  17. Feb 14, 2012
    60
    They just bang out a solid set of similarly Spectorian stuff, where surfy organ pipes and confectionary ooh-oohs get toughened by garage-rock production from the Black Keys' Patrick Carney.
  18. Feb 13, 2012
    70
    Tennis have served up an ace.
  19. 70
    A rather good second album that contains some of the brightest and jolliest music you'll have heard [for a long time].
  20. Feb 13, 2012
    60
    The problem is, even at their best, Tennis's music seems inconsequential and frankly, neutered.
  21. Feb 13, 2012
    63
    Musically, Tennis have broadened their horizons just the right amount, adding rock'n'roll muscle and a more purely pop clarity.
  22. Feb 13, 2012
    60
    The "cute" songs on this album are still the strongest, but the songs that show them stretching their wings are still worthwhile.
  23. Feb 9, 2012
    70
    It's a collection that feels fresh and clean, uncomplicated by over-thinking.
  24. Feb 9, 2012
    80
    Bigger, bolder but still retaining an engaging charm, it is a highly impressive melodic triumph.
  25. Feb 9, 2012
    70
    It's still retro, of course, but it's starting to sound retro in a way that only Tennis can.
  26. Under The Radar
    Mar 21, 2012
    70
    Likeable, featherweight pop. [Mar 2012, p. 86]
  27. Q Magazine
    Mar 14, 2012
    60
    Tennis' obvious strength is in their constant stream of deftly-executed melodies. [April 2012, p.105]
  28. Uncut
    Feb 13, 2012
    60
    Ultimately though, Tennis are too polished and MOR to rival the peaks of the trio's edgier peers. [Mar 2012, p.101]
  29. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 13, 2012
    83
    The Black Keys' Patrick Carney, adds a Motown-y polish--but costs them a little of their debut's breezy spontaneity. [17 Feb 2012, p.72]
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Jul 10, 2013
    9
    Tennis.. one of the bands out there that intrigues me and I'm always excited to see what they will do next. I adored "Cape Dory" and once thisTennis.. one of the bands out there that intrigues me and I'm always excited to see what they will do next. I adored "Cape Dory" and once this album came out I was very much surprised with how they had elevated their music while still keeping that beachy feel. "My Better Self" is one of the greatest moments on the album. "Cape Dory" runs a little bit smoother as a complete album listen in my opinion but "Young and Old" takes risks in a very subtle way. Sometimes less is more and Tennis does this beautifully. Full Review »
  2. Apr 26, 2012
    7
    The Alain Moore & Patrick Riley duo, who BTW is happened to be married is back with their second album "Young & Old" in case of TennisThe Alain Moore & Patrick Riley duo, who BTW is happened to be married is back with their second album "Young & Old" in case of Tennis project . What to expect on album? Very solid dose of melodic rock, with lots of add-ons, backing vocals and very catchy choruses - such as great "High Road". On release we will find much inspiration with different varieties of for ex. surf rock ("Traveling", "Robin") or alternative ("Origins" Dreaming"). Full Review »