User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Back Numbers
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Back Numbers Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The second album for the [now-married] duo of former Luna members Dean & Britta was produced by Tony Visconti.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. NOW Magazine
    100
    Not a dud in the entire meticulous love letter to a da-do-ron-ron era.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    Throughout Back Numbers, Wareham and Phillips push small emotions over big.
  3. Filter
    82
    Subdued guitar work and sleepy rhythms provide a solid underpinning for the airy melodies, keeping them from drifting away like freshly-blown bubbles.
  4. The Boston Phoenix
    75
    Luna fans will be pleased.
  5. Under The Radar
    70
    The arrangements almost entirely abandon the Velvets/Television electric guitar bedrock on which Luna was founded, instead adopting a basic structure of strummed acoustic guitar, spare orchestration, and burbling synths. [#16, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Mojo
    70
    Perfectly conceived and executed, the album is a beautiful collection of mood music. [May 2007, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    It sounds twee and, in parts it is, but it's leavened by their unrelenting world-weariness. [May 2007, p.123]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. MattD
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    As I often do, I disagree with Pitchfork here. The album isn't light - it's a thorough listen that reveals a mystical quality with As I often do, I disagree with Pitchfork here. The album isn't light - it's a thorough listen that reveals a mystical quality with modern sounding synthesizer meshing with unconventional but haunting harmonies.… Expand
  2. ColinP
    Mar 1, 2007
    9
    A delightful listen reminsicent of a bygone era. Beautiful pop music and virtually flawless in execution.
  4. christopherf
    Mar 23, 2007
    9
    Subtle and compelling melodies flawlessly played. Britta is also far easier to listen to than Dean. This album melts in your ears, not on the Subtle and compelling melodies flawlessly played. Britta is also far easier to listen to than Dean. This album melts in your ears, not on the cd rack.… Expand
  5. GeneB
    Mar 3, 2007
    8
    Luna's albums were at times brilliant, at times meandering...Dean and Britta sometimes approach brilliance (with a whole different - Luna's albums were at times brilliant, at times meandering...Dean and Britta sometimes approach brilliance (with a whole different - dare we say - more mature sound), but never meander. Subtle quality, won't knock your socks off, but will have you coming back when you tire of more flashy things… Expand
  6. JeffB
    Mar 21, 2007
    8
    I'm a huge fan of anything Dean Wareham, but I have to say this album doesn't seem to have the depth as others. I miss being lost I'm a huge fan of anything Dean Wareham, but I have to say this album doesn't seem to have the depth as others. I miss being lost in Luna's dreamy-then-manic guitars, and the sultriness of L'Avventura. That said, I still give it an 8/10 and I'll listen over and over.… Expand
  7. ThomasB
    Mar 20, 2007
    6
    If anyone ever sleepwalked through a career in music, it's Dean Wareham. His somnambulist tunes -- from Galaxie 500 through Luna and now If anyone ever sleepwalked through a career in music, it's Dean Wareham. His somnambulist tunes -- from Galaxie 500 through Luna and now Dean & Britta with his wife -- pass like ephemeral dreams. They're highly enjoyable in the moment but, like most dreams, are quickly forgotten in the cold light of morning. "Back Numbers" is unfailingly pleasant, but I'll be darned if I can remember a single hook, lyric or melody even after multiple listenings.… Expand
  8. GFarry
    Mar 1, 2007
    0
    Rubbish. Album should burn!

See all 8 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »