Autumn of the Seraphs
by Pinback
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    This album is not only the band’s most solid and consummate release to date, not merely one of the most veritable albums 2007 has delivered to us--but also, truly, one of the top albums in the past five years of indie rock history.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Whereas the band's 2004 long-player was a studied exercise in melancholic understatement, melded to some mightily addictive pop hooks, this ten-tracker is an immediately gratifying affair that pulls not a single punch in the catchiness stakes.
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    There’s usually more than meets the ear about their aural illusions, and they’ve gotten more overt about sticking in some genuine pop missives into their lattices of clean guitars and metronomic drums.
  5. Alternative Press
    80
    Autumn represents Pinback's strongest album to date. [Oct 2007, p.162]
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  6. Prefix Magazine
    80
    It is a snapshot of Pinback at its most practiced and self-aware: fluid, calculated, penetrating, yet always at the fringe of its former incarnation.
  7. Mojo
    80
    Autumn of the Seraphs is some of their punchiest work, packed with euphoric melodies, wry lyricism and subtly enhanced grooves. [Oct 2007, p.99]
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  8. Under The Radar
    80
    A tremendously melodic and catchy sensibility. [Summer 2007, p.76]
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  9. NOW Magazine
    80
    The rest of Autumn Of The Seraphs sounds a bit more meticulous, though it's self-assured in its footing.
  10. Magnet
    80
    For the first time, they’ve refined that obsession into something listeners can sink their teeth into.
  11. Pitchfork
    78
    If there's a gripe to be had with them, it's that a surface listen reveals a whole lot of lovely tones and not much else, and Autumn of the Seraphs is just as uniformly gorgeous and tasteful as any Pinback record.
  12. The A.V. Club
    75
    The band has crafted yet another delicate indie-pop bauble. Finely spun as it is, there's a hint of sinew.
  13. AllMusic
    70
    Pinback don't disappoint with their fourth record, Autumn of the Seraphs.
  14. PopMatters
    70
    Yet good songs alone do not a spectacular album make. Autumn of the Seraphs shows no major songwriting leaps at all, but it’s still a fine indie-rock LP.
  15. Tiny Mix Tapes
    70
    One can’t declare Autumn of the Seraphs, Pinback’s fourth full-length, any better than their first, second, or third album.
  16. Village Voice
    70
    Opener 'From Nothing to Nowhere' also makes the case that Pinback's ready for some new fans: It's fast and furious, nicely setting a tempo that suggests they're not fucking around while conveying a (much-needed) immediacy through Rob Crow's voice.
  17. Billboard
    70
    Several songs near the end go on too long, content to just keep repeating riffs over and over. Still, when Autumn is on point, it offers some of Pinback's best tunes yet.
  18. Lost At Sea
    70
    Autumn Of The Seraphs is more of the same I have come to expect from Pinback--lovely harmonies and catchy hooks, all with an underlying emotional depth.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. monkeysloveme
    Nov 13, 2020
    10
    Pinback's third perfect album after Summer In Abaddon and This Is A Pinback CD, from the opening bars of From Nothing To Nowhere you know youPinback's third perfect album after Summer In Abaddon and This Is A Pinback CD, from the opening bars of From Nothing To Nowhere you know you are on to a winner, the album is filled with perfect harmonies and instrumentally perfect, sadly with this level of perfection they set the bar so far their next album couldn't quite match it.… Full Review »
  2. BenM
    Oct 30, 2007
    3
    I've liked some older Pinback tracks quite a lot, but I really can't find anything to like there. It's all so noodly, and I've liked some older Pinback tracks quite a lot, but I really can't find anything to like there. It's all so noodly, and smooth - even when they try to turn up the rock a little bit, it all sounds the same to me.… Full Review »
  3. BrianG
    Oct 18, 2007
    8
    While not the best Pinback album, Autumns of the Seraphs is a better than average pop record by 2 extraordinary musicians. It has such a While not the best Pinback album, Autumns of the Seraphs is a better than average pop record by 2 extraordinary musicians. It has such a positive, So-Cal vibe you can't help but tap your toe! Good to Sea is the stand out track on the album.… Full Review »
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