23
by Blonde Redhead
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Apr 10, 2007
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 69
  3. Negative: 3 out of 69

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  1. normankant
    Jun 9, 2015
    8
    23 is the seventh album of the american trio Blonde Redhead. It has great tracks, nice guitars and a soft singing by Kazu Makino. I suggest the tracks 23, Dr. Strangeluv (a guitar-driven masterpiece) and My Impure Air.
  2. Irvall
    Jul 10, 2013
    10
    A perfect album that I easily will recommend to anyone interested in music.

    The album is so diverse, mysterious and beautifully written. It constantly shifts between its dreamy (23, Spring And By Summer Fall, Heroine) and more "mundane" (Dr. Strangeluv, Publisher, Top Ranking) states almost like a swimmer going to the surface in order to breathe. Giving this album a 10-rating seems    A perfect album that I easily will recommend to anyone interested in music.

    The album is so diverse, mysterious and beautifully written. It constantly shifts between its dreamy (23, Spring And By Summer Fall, Heroine) and more "mundane" (Dr. Strangeluv, Publisher, Top Ranking) states almost like a swimmer going to the surface in order to breathe. Giving this album a 10-rating seems very natural to me. Go pick it up, I promise it won't let you down.    … Collapse
  3. RicardoC.
    Aug 29, 2009
    9
    Beautiful, such a soft melody. And her voice fits perfectly.
  4. PatrickM.
    Jul 8, 2008
    8
    Spring and By Summer Fall.... thats all i gotta say.
  5. EinarJ.
    May 7, 2008
    8
    8-9.. undecided. This album is gorgeous. Definetly lacks something they previously had, but they make up for it with soft blurs of feeling behind sounds of tranquility and catchy lyrics. 'Top Ranking' is so adorable, while 'The Dress' is just ambience intoxicated. Very good effort, a nice step forward for my favourite American indie band with a Japanese lead vocalist 8-9.. undecided. This album is gorgeous. Definetly lacks something they previously had, but they make up for it with soft blurs of feeling behind sounds of tranquility and catchy lyrics. 'Top Ranking' is so adorable, while 'The Dress' is just ambience intoxicated. Very good effort, a nice step forward for my favourite American indie band with a Japanese lead vocalist (haha, not many out there,...).… Expand
  6. BeauP.
    Mar 5, 2008
    10
    In a year that saw Radiohead and Arcade Fire deliver hauntingly beautiful works, Blonde Redhead released an arguably more stunning album in 2007. 23's textures and arking melodies imbue the album with a mystery that just begs to be listened to over and over again. The most lovely moment is my favorite song of 2007 "Spring By Summer Fall".
  7. JimM
    Dec 14, 2007
    9
    Heard them at Interpol and liked what i heard so got the latest album (23) get this album if you like st etienne or radiohead you'll love this..very addictive. Now to check out their back catalogue.
  8. SethC.
    Oct 30, 2007
    10
    Beautiful and amazing. One of the year's best.
  9. nachov.
    Oct 16, 2007
    9
    All songs are enveloped in a mystery ambient. Great LP
  10. DouglasD.
    Aug 1, 2007
    10
    God, I have no words. 23 is Blonde Redhead at their best form. Perfect album.
  11. RicardoF
    Jul 22, 2007
    9
    Very Strong, beautiful melody. Complete. A must have.
  12. PatrickS
    Jul 13, 2007
    9
    It's everything I like in an album. You have songs that you instantly love and others you love after the 10th hearing. Everything is in the details of the production.
  13. FlemmingF
    Jul 11, 2007
    9
    yeah also in my top 3 of the year so far - actually only superceded by Rosebuds' latest.
  14. Stinko
    Jul 2, 2007
    10
    A-bleedin-mazing!!
  15. RobertG.
    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    Definitely in my top 3 albums of the year. I think I like 23 better than Misery.
  16. EstefaniaD.
    Jun 11, 2007
    9
    I love it
  17. Ant
    Jun 10, 2007
    10
    one of the best albums of the year. this is a step in a different direction for the band and I like it! It's almost a polar opposite of misery, which itself is a wonderful record. This band has really impressed me.
  18. DylanS
    May 28, 2007
    9
    Shifting their focus from Sonic Youth'esque distortion rock to more of a shoegaze feel, Blonde Redhead create their best album to date. "23" and "SW" are key tracks, on this fantastic new LP. It starts of big, and doesn't disappoint through out the album's run time. Don't shrug it off people it's "more accessible", BR are just as offbeat as always, they just Shifting their focus from Sonic Youth'esque distortion rock to more of a shoegaze feel, Blonde Redhead create their best album to date. "23" and "SW" are key tracks, on this fantastic new LP. It starts of big, and doesn't disappoint through out the album's run time. Don't shrug it off people it's "more accessible", BR are just as offbeat as always, they just learned to control their sound a lot more, and it's beautiful.… Expand
  19. JasonR
    May 26, 2007
    9
    Blonde Redhead's _23_ seems to be an extension of what they started with _Misery is a Butterfly_ . However, _23_ is tighter, more controlled & more concise than that meandering, though, beautiful album. The influences are evident: Cocteau Twins, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth; but Blonde Redhead has their own distinct voice as well. Definitely a dream pop record of the Blonde Redhead's _23_ seems to be an extension of what they started with _Misery is a Butterfly_ . However, _23_ is tighter, more controlled & more concise than that meandering, though, beautiful album. The influences are evident: Cocteau Twins, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth; but Blonde Redhead has their own distinct voice as well. Definitely a dream pop record of the highest caliber and one of the best albums this year. "Heroine," "23," "Publisher," "Spring and by Summer Fall" are standouts.… Expand
  20. casey
    May 17, 2007
    8
    Between 8.2 and 8.6 seems about right. Man Spin Magazine has completely gone corporate. It's growing on me. I'm sure this will top many critics year end lists. I love the cover of the cd.
  21. luisv
    Apr 29, 2007
    7
    Un poco mas accesible que su anterior disco; Empieza bien y cuando llegamos a "Silently" llegamos al climax del disco y tambien llegamos a la mitad del disco, de ahí en adelante el disco empobrece...
  22. dinch
    Apr 28, 2007
    7
    Light, fluffy and disappointingly poppy after "Misery"
  23. JonnyS
    Apr 28, 2007
    9
    This is an amazing album that gets better with each listen. Don't expect "Misery Is A Butterfly 2", this is a whole different thing.
  24. RicardoG
    Apr 27, 2007
    9
    What an excellent record! It is definitely in my top five of the year so far. Wonderfully lush and imaginative. A purrfect summer record.
  25. JesseS
    Apr 22, 2007
    8
    A much more accessible listen than "Misery is a Butterfly", but with that comes a less intense, less original musical experience. "23" is my favorite record of '07 so far (it's only April). It sometimes sounds reminiscent of LUSH (also 4AD, no?), only a bad thing when compared to "Misery". But the naysayers couldn't hack the emotively damaged vocals on "Misery". Wiith A much more accessible listen than "Misery is a Butterfly", but with that comes a less intense, less original musical experience. "23" is my favorite record of '07 so far (it's only April). It sometimes sounds reminiscent of LUSH (also 4AD, no?), only a bad thing when compared to "Misery". But the naysayers couldn't hack the emotively damaged vocals on "Misery". Wiith respect to this, they'll be better off with "23".… Expand
  26. earthling
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    will definetly be in my top 5 of the year!!
  27. valdisP
    Apr 19, 2007
    10
    Very good album!
  28. MigC
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    beautiful record
  29. brittac
    Apr 15, 2007
    9
    a very very decent album.. i loved misery is a butterfly because it gave me a sort of whimsical feeling, but this album definitely marks a new achievement for blonde redhead.. the album flows perfectly, and it has the perfect balance of melancholy and feel-good tunes.. it propels forward without a single hitch.. definitely look into this one=]
  30. CarlosM
    Apr 15, 2007
    8
    An excellent record. Not as good as "Misery is a Butterfly", but really beautiful in tis own terms. It shows a band that is on a whole different level and makes music isntantbly recognizable in the middle of so many annonimous bands that sound the same and flood Myspace. A record worth buying in times of massive downloading.
  31. randmcnally
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    alan moulder is god.
  32. Neil
    Apr 14, 2007
    9
    not as much an artistic statement, as a career statement. one of the most cohesive, enjoyable and beautiful listens you'll hear this year.
  33. MackenzieD
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    I mean...like...it's really good.
  34. mikeyf
    Apr 12, 2007
    1
    going to a br show to impress a date? fine. here's hoping you get laid, but fair warning, get high 1st & remember to bring ear plugs. smile empathetically as she looks over her shoulder back at you. rub her back too. seriously, what other attraction's in it for y chromosomers? kunt rock.
  35. LRJ
    Apr 12, 2007
    10
    this album really suprised me!!! Incredibly good!!!
  36. jgcamil
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    BR virgin... being a long 4AD fan (old school to be precise), this release reminds me of the time when this label pushed the boundaries for excelent music. A top notch release.
  37. MS
    Apr 11, 2007
    9
    Spin is on crack. Pitchfork was right on.
  38. BrianBrian
    Apr 11, 2007
    9
    Beautiful.
  39. [Anonymous]
    Apr 2, 2007
    9
    Great album. Especially: 23, Dress, Top Ranking, and Heroine
  40. IlleE
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    Absolutely amazing! Astonishing!
  41. ChelseaG
    Mar 18, 2007
    10
    Brilliant. I love this band.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Album of 2007
69
#69 Most Discussed Album of 2007
54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Paste Magazine
    80
    23's mannered downtown aura and etched elegance are sustained for its duration, marking it as one of the prolific band's finest to date. [Apr 2007, p.55]
  2. Spin
    50
    Amedeo Pace's wailing, overemotive tenor invites the mess of Blonde Radiohead jokes the band will inevitably receive. [Apr 2007, p.86]
  3. Urb
    90
    It's a beautiful collection of songs, cinematic and powerful, never pushy. [Apr 2007, p.100]
See all critic reviews »