American Football (LP2)
by American Football
Metascore
78

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
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  1. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 21, 2016
    100
    In fact, if anything time has only the strengthened the chemistry of the band, distilling its essence in to something much purer than its base product. In a year of excellent records, American Football have quite possibly made the best.
  2. The 405
    Oct 21, 2016
    90
    This is middle-aged angst done right.
  3. Exclaim
    Oct 19, 2016
    90
    This is nostalgia in essence and in practice, and it's pretty much everything that fans could have wanted.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Oct 19, 2016
    86
    Like it did in 1999, American Football proves its ability to stand out in a sea of contemporaries and imitators, post-aughts emo revival or no.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Oct 21, 2016
    83
    The intervening years have been kind to the group; its easy chemistry remains a dialogue full of endearing, if not ample, surprises.
  7. Consequence
    Oct 19, 2016
    83
    It’ll make you remember that weird, wistful emotion that isn’t quite sadness but isn’t quite anything else, either. Because, while their music may sound as fresh as ever, American Football’s message these days is clear: time takes everything.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Oct 31, 2016
    80
    Beautiful, sad, uplifting, and thoughtful, American Football’s return is definitely something to get excited about, but in a subdued way.
  9. Clash Music
    Oct 26, 2016
    80
    Yet American Football sounds like nothing that’s come in the last 16 years, or the last two for that matter.
  10. Kerrang!
    Oct 20, 2016
    80
    Crucially, it captures some of the magic of their debut, and will satiate those who've waited so patiently. [22 Oct 20163, p.68]
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  11. The Guardian
    Oct 20, 2016
    80
    For the most part there is little interest in deviating from the tried and tested, but for anyone who felt the band were gone too soon in their first incarnation, this is a welcome trip into familiar territory.
  12. AllMusic
    Oct 20, 2016
    80
    Some might miss the more abstract appeal of the original AF album, but the way the band updates and slightly expands that approach makes this new album a resounding success that works on the sonic level, and maybe more importantly, a deep emotional level.
  13. The Skinny
    Oct 19, 2016
    80
    Their control is immaculate, their romanticism timeless.
  14. Pitchfork
    Oct 26, 2016
    77
    Produced in spurts of Dropbox exchanges and playdates over the span of two years, but working on a strict deadline, LP2 stresses proficiency and immediacy.
  15. Magnet
    Nov 16, 2016
    75
    LP2 is certainly worthy of standing next to a genre classic. [No. 137, p.53]
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Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. grkay
    Oct 25, 2016
    5
    As a dedicated fan of American Football and Owen, I was very excited about the long anticipated release of LP2, only to emerge slightlyAs a dedicated fan of American Football and Owen, I was very excited about the long anticipated release of LP2, only to emerge slightly disappointed and confused.

    I cherished LP, the first album created over 17 years ago. The instrumental precision, occasional heartfelt trumpet was all you needed to really feel the emotional depths they had conveyed as a band. There were a few songs on that album with very minimal vocals, but those vocals felt like they had a purpose and were just a side note to the instruments' intricacy.

    Unfortunately with LP2, I find the newly prominent vocals and lyrics distracting from the original tone and precision of the instruments , which made American Football who they were as a band. LP2 feels like an Owen album featuring American Football.

    Don't get me wrong I enjoy a few Owen albums, but being that a new Owen album is released every couple of years and American Football has only made one every 15+; I was really looking forward to reminiscing on those original qualities that made them so great. I appreciate American Football coming back together for this one and am hopeful of future albums which may go back to their unique attributes.    … Full Review »
  2. Marcbackman
    Oct 22, 2016
    8
    The band have grown with their listeners, moving their angst and sorrows from their mid-20s to middle age and adulthood seamlessly. I thinkThe band have grown with their listeners, moving their angst and sorrows from their mid-20s to middle age and adulthood seamlessly. I think the album succeeds in dealing with the themes of regret, loss, time and the changing personal identity over time. Sound-wise it sounds very similar to the first album by American Football and also previous Owen releases.

    Some great lyrics on this album. "The best way to describe the ocean to a blind man is to push him in."    … Full Review »
  3. Tom_Bombadil
    Oct 31, 2016
    6
    Less organic than the debut LP, and less memorable too, but was anyone expecting some kind of masterpiece? Kinsella lost his powers ages ago.Less organic than the debut LP, and less memorable too, but was anyone expecting some kind of masterpiece? Kinsella lost his powers ages ago. Be realistic. The guys still manage to write some musically interesting songs, and the warm and mellow vibe of the debut has remained almost intact, but ultimately this isn't a very fulfilling record. Mike's vocals suck, and his lyrics have become uglier as well. It's hard to remember most of it once finished. Not bad, though. Just unsatisfying.

    Download "Desire Gets in the Way" for an enjoyable tune. The rest isn't essential.    … Full Review »
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