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Ahead Of The Lions
by
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Ahead Of The Lions Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: Steve Albini produced this debut album for the St. Louis-based Berlin brothers (Lillian, Eve and Bosh) who make up the Living Things.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Spin
    83
    Each track follows the Rage Against The Machine model: Make music for the masses without diluting it for the bosses. [Nov 2005, p.101]
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  2. Stylus Magazine
    83
    The substantive quality of the political commentary found on Ahead of the Lions may not measure up to Rage Against the Machine’s most agitprop knee jerking, but there’s no questioning the sentiment is clearly and loudly expressed with propulsive rhythms, radio-palatable hooks and real production values.
  3. Urb
    80
    Political agenda with raw AC/DC chords. [Dec 2005, p.105]
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  4. Rolling Stone
    80
    The first thing that hits you about the songs is their intelligent design, from the metallic-Cars echo of "Bombs Below" to the son-of-Nirvana charge in "On All Fours." But without the hell-bent revolutionary zeal, Ahead of the Lions would sound like empty victory.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    They prove that rock & roll as urgent, trashy, and fiery as the Stooges' first three albums, Back in Black, and Appetite for Destruction can actually be thoughtful articles of democracy and righteous rebellion.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    These Things sound a tad too generic for comfort. [14 Oct 2005, p.152]
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  7. Alternative Press
    20
    The contemporary-grunge and vintage New York-punk nods packaged here are unthreatening; singer Lillian Berlin's vocals are forgettable; and his lyrics remain more stupid than socially aware. [Dec 2005, p.214]
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See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. NickH
    Nov 27, 2005
    9
    4 1/2 stars of 5 stars... I've heard it all before, but it's never sounded this good. Every song on this album is great on 4 1/2 stars of 5 stars... I've heard it all before, but it's never sounded this good. Every song on this album is great on it's own - which is a rare find in this day and age, what with filler and all. Never once did I find myself skipping around to find a song I like more than another. The lyrics are unusually catchy, almost forcing you to sing-a-long with them. It's the perfect album to listen to when you need a pick me up, it's a damned good time.… Expand
  2. KevinJ.
    Nov 10, 2005
    9
    nothing that will revolutionize music, but it has some great catchy songs. definitely worth a buy
  4. jason
    Nov 11, 2005
    8
    refreshingly fun!
  5. DavidA.
    Jan 9, 2006
    8
    This is a good album, that is definitely worth the money. Especially, good to listen to while throwing back a few.
  6. Mick
    Nov 22, 2005
    7
    Leave it to Jason Pettigrew's teeny-bopper toliet paper rag, otherwise known as AP, to give this album a super low rating. I suppose Leave it to Jason Pettigrew's teeny-bopper toliet paper rag, otherwise known as AP, to give this album a super low rating. I suppose that they were comparing it to the latest ICP release. Living Things, derivative? You betcha...but in a good way.… Expand
  7. SeanT
    Dec 11, 2005
    0
    absolute garbage. i cant believe steve albini recorded this. oh wait i forgot that he takes shitloads of money from bands like this just like absolute garbage. i cant believe steve albini recorded this. oh wait i forgot that he takes shitloads of money from bands like this just like he did with bush. so i am actually happy for the man. he recorded some douches and got a lot of money for probably not doing a lot. but man this sucks!… Expand

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