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Atlas
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Atlas Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the indie rock band was produced by Tom Schick and recorded at Wilco's studio in Chicago.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. The Fly (UK)
    Mar 4, 2014
    90
    This time round, perhaps due to Courtney’s settling down and the addition of Girls keyboardist Matt Kallman, the band sounds fuller and more mature, with a tendency to look forward rather than harking back to the past.
  2. Consequence
    Mar 4, 2014
    83
    The chords and arrangements on Atlas are the densest Real Estate have ever attempted, shading their sunshine into something palpably more mysterious, like a sunset in inclement weather.
  3. Under The Radar
    Feb 26, 2014
    80
    It's nostalgic and reflective, regretful and romantic. [Feb/Mar 2014, p.75]
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  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 28, 2014
    80
    There’ll be plenty of albums this year that grab you by the throat more vigorously than Atlas does, but very few of them will be quite as lovingly nuanced--and none will make the guitar sound anything like as appealing.
  5. Q Magazine
    Mar 14, 2014
    80
    It contains some of the band's most beautiful, idyllic songs to date. [Apr 2014, p.117]
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  6. Exclaim
    Mar 4, 2014
    70
    It's amiable, deceptively dense and, ultimately, rewarding.
  7. PopMatters
    Mar 3, 2014
    40
    Though the record cleans up some with the drifting “How Might I Live” and a quick hit of sadness from closer “Navigator”, these are but mild highpoints in a waste of still-milder mediocrity

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. AnthonyMiller18
    Jul 2, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. By far their best input. Smooth sound, great guitar texture, and solid production.… Expand
  2. anthonymusiclov
    Jul 2, 2020
    10
    Production goes a long way and Real Estate hit the nail on the head with this one. Their best album by far. One of my all time favorites.
  4. WrittenSarcasm
    Mar 4, 2014
    10
    This went from being my least favorite Real Estate album to my favorite Real Estate album in two days. Atlas will keep drawing you in for moreThis went from being my least favorite Real Estate album to my favorite Real Estate album in two days. Atlas will keep drawing you in for more while it grows on you with each listen.… Expand
  5. battlebongs
    Mar 9, 2014
    9
    pretty sexy. i like this album just because it reminds of like the beatles or some shiit. not even the beatles, maybe the... i dunno. not apretty sexy. i like this album just because it reminds of like the beatles or some shiit. not even the beatles, maybe the... i dunno. not a bad album anyway.… Collapse
  6. adhamhany
    Mar 19, 2014
    9
    It has a somewhat different style from their previous work, but the change is welcome. The music, along with the lyrics and vocals, workIt has a somewhat different style from their previous work, but the change is welcome. The music, along with the lyrics and vocals, work together beautifully, resulting in a mesmerizing album. An album that should be listened to numerous times, because every time you'll appreciate it more.… Expand
  7. WxJim
    Mar 18, 2014
    9
    Great album. It features some of the best songs Real Estate has ever written in 'Talking Backwards', 'Crime', and my personal favorite 'Had toGreat album. It features some of the best songs Real Estate has ever written in 'Talking Backwards', 'Crime', and my personal favorite 'Had to Hear'; the riff that starts off that song (which also happens to start the album) may be most emotionally impacting bit of music the band has written to date. Atlas is more slow moving and perhaps not as easy to listen to as Real Estate's previous albums, and could be said to drag bit at times, but this will likely go down as one of the best albums of 2014.… Expand
  8. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    4
    Not really getting the all the moderate love this thing is receiving. By far their worst record, even if their previous two haven't been allNot really getting the all the moderate love this thing is receiving. By far their worst record, even if their previous two haven't been all that standout either. The only really solid track here is April's Song. Breezy and forgettable, a very jangle pop affair that isn't very deep.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed Album of 2014

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