Alive & Amplified
by Mooney Suzuki
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Aug 24, 2004
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    50
    The whole record is wrong. Predictable, slick, soulless, and worst of all, boring, it meets the expectations of everyone who thought the band was foolish for working with the Matrix.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Gone is the rock'n'roll grit reminiscent of '70s Detroit rock, and in its place is a stylishly tailored sound more akin to '60s California pop. [Sep 2004, p.136]
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  3. Billboard
    30
    If you dug the sweaty rowdiness of Mooney's last records, you'll find that the Matrix scrub-job has removed most of their traces of grit, grime and rock.
  5. Blender
    40
    This is rock theater of the most uninspired kind. [Aug 2004, p.136]
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  6. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    Unfortunately, the Mooneys' concept of mass appeal... includes embarrassing homages to the glory of rock (and groupies) and a Bic-lighter ballad that's pure Hootie. [20/27 Aug 2004, p.126]
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  7. Filter
    54
    Some kind of Californian 5th Dimension/Phil Spector hybrid. All apologies, guys, but it comes off about as genuine as Phil Spector's current legal defense. [#11, p.94]
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  8. Mojo
    20
    They're a bit like '80s vintage Judas Priest but not quite as good. Or indeed as gay. [Sep 2004, p.99]
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  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Like the enraged hormones of Iggy Pop slugging it out with the grandiose pomp of Queen. [28 Aug 2004, p.57]
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  10. Pitchfork
    50
    To say that the album is over-produced is an understatement; you could bounce a quarter off of most of these songs.
  11. PopMatters
    40
    The Mooneys are guilty of bringing songs to the album that aren't so much dumb (though they're that too) as they are lazy.
  12. Spin
    83
    The sweetest, cleanest grunge ambrosia since Urge Overkill's 1993 major-label bid, Saturation. [Aug 2004, p.105]
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  13. The A.V. Club
    30
    Alive & Amplified sounds so slick that it slips right by.
  14. Uncut
    40
    The Mooney Suzuki are NYC's retro-homage to America's spandex pop-metal scene. [Sep 2004, p.98]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. WillyP.
    Jun 9, 2006
    8
    Is it dumb? Yes. Is it overproduced? Yes. Does it rock? Abso-frickin-lutely!!!
  2. andrewg
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    I don't usually listen to indie rock, but i heard one of their singles and just fell in love with this album.
  3. RossN
    Apr 21, 2005
    8
    A ot of the reviews of this album miss the point and prefer to back the 'credible' but boorish stand that because it was produced A ot of the reviews of this album miss the point and prefer to back the 'credible' but boorish stand that because it was produced by the Matrix it must be bad. So I heard this in a my loacl record shop the other day and jumped on it - it's rock n roll and when it's done right, as it is here for at least 60% of the songs, it's a wonderful thing. The first half of the record is great, then it tapers off a little until one cringe-worthy track (Naked Lady), but then rebounds with a cool unlisted bonus track.… Full Review »
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