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Amnesty (I)
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Amnesty (I) Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length release for the Canadian experimental electronic band is its first with new singer Edith Frances.
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Top Track

Concrete
Straighten out your pleat Demands have been beseiged Safe passage for the meek Refusal to accede Deny the preconceived For the preordained We no... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Exclaim
    Aug 29, 2016
    80
    It would be unwise to view Amnesty (I) as the rebirth of Crystal Castles; it's simply the next step in the band's evolution, a welcome return.
  2. PopMatters
    Sep 1, 2016
    70
    At its best, this proves a smart move, and elsewhere, it just shows that albums need only be as long as they can remain interesting.
  3. AllMusic
    Sep 7, 2016
    70
    Even if Amnesty lacks some of the intensity of Crystal Castles' earlier work, it accomplishes the tricky task of providing common ground and a fresh start.
  4. The Guardian
    Aug 18, 2016
    60
    The result is an album that, while impressively intense, lacks the human urgency of their earlier work.
  5. Mojo
    Sep 6, 2016
    60
    Amnesty's dark, metallic electro-pop creates an overwhelming Strum Und Drang. [Oct 2016, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 22, 2016
    60
    If the sense of overfamiliarity is a bit disappointing for a band once lauded as experimentalists, producer Ethan Kath has also retained his knack for writing terrific hooks and warped melodies. Ornament and Kept are nuggets of brilliantly disjointed electropop.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Sep 7, 2016
    40
    The central dichotomous tension is blandly predictable (loud-quiet-loud-quiet), the songwriting occasionally sharp, but its political themes--like its vocalist--are lost in the fury.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. eliot-jacobs
    Aug 25, 2016
    10
    Behind Alice Glass' ripped tights and makeup there was "a guy with a hoodie" in charge of everything -even her live vocals-. That's whyBehind Alice Glass' ripped tights and makeup there was "a guy with a hoodie" in charge of everything -even her live vocals-. That's why Crystal Castles' vibe remains intact on this release. + new singer Edith can actually perform these tracks live...… Expand
  2. naturalmachine
    Aug 21, 2016
    8
    This album proves that Ethan was always Crystal Castles from the very beginning. It has eclectic elements coming from the album II and III ...This album proves that Ethan was always Crystal Castles from the very beginning. It has eclectic elements coming from the album II and III ... The album they wanted. Edith's voice compliments the aura perfectly in my opinion. Very well done.… Expand
  4. markymark
    Sep 23, 2018
    8
    Amnesty (I) is a regeneration. It's exciting and incendiary and like all Crystal Castles albums - unsettling. No track outstays its welcomeAmnesty (I) is a regeneration. It's exciting and incendiary and like all Crystal Castles albums - unsettling. No track outstays its welcome and there's no filler.… Expand
  5. longjetty7
    Sep 1, 2016
    8
    I'm not sure why the critic reviews are so lukewarm. This album is seriously such a treat to listen to. There's not a bad track on here and itI'm not sure why the critic reviews are so lukewarm. This album is seriously such a treat to listen to. There's not a bad track on here and it flows together so well. The melodies, beats, and hooks are infectious. Amnesty (I) is certainly a welcome comeback from Crystal Castles, and a bit more accessible than their previous albums.… Expand
  6. martincm1910
    Aug 19, 2016
    8
    Edith is awesome, the lyrics are really good, but the album lacks of something and i don't know what is. Anyways Char and Sadist are theEdith is awesome, the lyrics are really good, but the album lacks of something and i don't know what is. Anyways Char and Sadist are the highlights of the album. Keep doing amazing tracks Ethan and Edith.… Expand
  7. Flawlessasurnot
    Aug 19, 2016
    7
    This album is an icon of intensity, emotions and rebelliousness. Ethan and Edith has change the perspective of CC's way of making music;This album is an icon of intensity, emotions and rebelliousness. Ethan and Edith has change the perspective of CC's way of making music; however, it feels there is something missing from the previews forms of conveying their message by the sounds. The general panorama of the new CC's style is iffy, but innovative enough.… Expand
  8. homowifi
    Aug 19, 2016
    0
    All the songs have the potential to be the same level of excellence that was executed in their 3 previous albums, but now the songs just fallAll the songs have the potential to be the same level of excellence that was executed in their 3 previous albums, but now the songs just fall flat. Lackluster is an understatement to describe this album.… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2016

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