A Brighter Beat
by Malcolm Middleton
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Mojo
    80
    This is possibly the most optimistic album about depression ever made. [Mar 2007, p.98]
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  2. Q Magazine
    80
    Razor-sharp songs that do valiant justice to the desperate optimism of gutter-bound dreamers. [Mar 2007, p.115]
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  3. Stylus Magazine
    75
    For an album about all the bad things that can happen to us, it sounds pretty damn good.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    The moments of dark introspection still linger in the album's secluded corners, but overall, 'A Brighter Beat' is exactly that.
  6. Playlouder
    70
    It's inevitable having enjoyed their partnership for so long, that you occasionally feel the lack of Moffat's brutal honesty, but Middleton grows more interesting with each solo release.
  7. Uncut
    70
    Arrangements range from scraped guitars to epic brass fanfares and, unusually for an album about loners, there's no misanthropy. [Mar 2007, p.86]
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  8. Under The Radar
    70
    Malcolm Middleton offers up a catchy indie electropop album worthy of all its communicative attaention. [Summer 2007, p.91]
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  9. Hot Press
    65
    Think a more ragged Belle & Sebastian, and you’re not far off.

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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. FrancisS
    Mar 15, 2007
    10
    Slightly more positive than his previous two solo albums, A Brighter Beat is still, on the whole, a fantastically dour listen. The quality of Slightly more positive than his previous two solo albums, A Brighter Beat is still, on the whole, a fantastically dour listen. The quality of the songwriting is very high; splitting Arab Strap was a very sensible move.… Full Review »