Becoming A Jackal
by Villagers
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2010
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18

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  1. nunchuks
    Nov 10, 2010
    10
    This is a hauntingly beautiful album. I would absolutely recommend this album to anyone despite their taste in music, normally i wouldn't have patience for anything even remotely folksy but i genuinely think this is something rather special.
  2. jbledsoe
    Dec 22, 2010
    9
    Really fantastic album. One of the best of 2010, and that's really saying something with the excellent albums out this year by Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Sufjan Stevens, and The National. This guy has a lovely, soft, delicate voice that goes well with his folk-rock arrangements. The music is beautiful. He reminds me of a mixture of Conor Oberst and Elvis Perkins.
  3. fredjblack
    Jul 28, 2011
    10
    Definitely the album of the year, and if he manages to produce another album of anything close to the haunting beauty of this one, he will become a legend.
  4. Ricko
    Oct 13, 2018
    8
    This is an album that has really stood the test of time and I have to say I really love it and revisit regularly. Of it's 11 tracks there is something to find in most of them. The sound is predominantly quite mellow of the chamber pop variety, with mainly gently delivered vocals, piano and acoustic guitars. The songwriting is excellent. I would say your better off hearing this recordThis is an album that has really stood the test of time and I have to say I really love it and revisit regularly. Of it's 11 tracks there is something to find in most of them. The sound is predominantly quite mellow of the chamber pop variety, with mainly gently delivered vocals, piano and acoustic guitars. The songwriting is excellent. I would say your better off hearing this record without hearing its creator, Conor O Brien talk. If he was a hamburger he'd eat himself. A bit like the way Bono turns a lot of people off of U2, COB had a similar effect for me but such is the quality of his music that I just can't help but love it. A classic Irish debut and a great place to start with Villagers who went on to produce 3 further superb albums (as of 2018).… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. BBC Music
    70
    For the most part, this is a fine debut and speaks of even finer things to come.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    While that argument over the art of the singer-songwriter may be embedded in a lack of originality, Villagers have managed to craft an endearing record, glowing with a heart-warming level of nostalgia.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    Rather like that other, more famous, Conor - Oberst, of Bright Eyes fame - there's a sense of foundations being laid, in preparation for a career of real longevity. Hop on now, for this promises to be quite a ride.
    Read full review
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