A Certain Trigger
by Maxïmo Park
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 31, 2005
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Most of A Certain Trigger's album tracks sound like singles waiting to be discovered.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    A magnificent album where every verse fills you with excitement for the next chorus, where wide-scoping fields of sound work in unison to stage the perfect pop-rock riot and where every meticulously crafted melody comes back to haunt you when you least expect it.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    The high points are so fantastic that their missteps are easily forgiven.
  5. Pitchfork
    84
    The band's lack of swagger is refreshing amid the hot fussed-over convicts and misogynistic sun kings of the New Wave sphere, but it also hampers the less convincing tracks.
  6. Lost At Sea
    80
    A Certain Trigger is a strong release from its opener on, though it has noticeable shifts in momentum, with a second, rousing tour de force in its closing tracks.
  7. Playlouder
    80
    Quite simply, there are thirteen absolutely cracking tunes here.
  8. The A.V. Club
    80
    In a field crowded with dangerously aloof players, Maxïmo Park sets itself apart by embracing the often-ignored warm-blooded side of the post-punk rebirth.
  9. Neumu.net
    80
    A Certain Trigger has Maximo Park inserting enough creativity, energy and personality into their music to get away with lifting sounds directly from such post-punk bands as XTC, The Jam and Wire.
  10. Under The Radar
    80
    Where Maximo Park depart from [The Futureheads'] formula lies in their brighter, bouncier sound and more traditional vocal approach. [#10, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. musicOMH.com
    70
    It remains an awfully good first effort, and the boys clearly have some exciting ideas - not enough to fill the entire disc, but exciting nonetheless.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Energetic and cleverly crafted.
  13. PopMatters
    70
    A great little guitar rock record.
  14. Mojo
    70
    Singer Paul Smith's blend of dry and witty lines would make Jarvis smile, but disappointingly, the album still likes a Take Me Out-sized hit single to beat the floppy-fringed competition. [Jul 2005, p.96]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Stylus Magazine
    67
    As much as a lot of the tracks are just bluster + accent + guitars, there are some melodies hidden along the way and the bluster + accent + guitars here are better than those pimped by the likes of The Others and Kaiser Chiefs and so on and so forth.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. GabrielP
    Jul 30, 2005
    9
    First time I listened "A Certain Trigger" I thought 'Yeah, this sounds like The Smiths'. Second time: 'Yeah, this guy sings First time I listened "A Certain Trigger" I thought 'Yeah, this sounds like The Smiths'. Second time: 'Yeah, this guy sings like Jarvis Cocker'. Third time: 'But the whole album sounds like The Jam'. The pleasure of listen three of my favorite bands (Pulp, The Smiths, The Jam) in only one can be explained easily. Creative lyrics, that makes me remember Pulp's "Different Class" topics on songs like 'Apply Some Pressure' and 'The Night I Lost My Head', make the whole album a different (new) option on the world of (post) post punk. Bloc Party's five minutes of fame has gone. The time is now for Maxïmo Park.… Full Review »
  2. Annie
    Jul 19, 2005
    10
    I absolutely LOVED this album, stumbled upon them by accident and fell in love completely. This is defo my album of 2005 and im so glad i I absolutely LOVED this album, stumbled upon them by accident and fell in love completely. This is defo my album of 2005 and im so glad i found it-listen and make up your own minds but as a hot young(22) woman in a crappy town i feel they soaked up everything that relates to me so so so so well :-) 10 out of 10, they make it their own :-) Well Done lads cant wait for a tour xx… Full Review »
  3. Nurax
    Sep 14, 2022
    10
    Maximo Park's "A Certain Trigger" is definitely one of the best indie rock albums of the 2000s.
See all user reviews »