User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Before Today
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Before Today Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 81 Ratings

  • Summary: Los Angeles-based Ariel Pink releases his first album on the 4AD label.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    He’s no slouch in his endless catalogue of exhumed pop tropes, and here he treats radio pop’s past with the all-encompassing vagueness of its title.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Before Today is the best collection of pure pop songs released this year, and the experimental odds and bits only add to its considerable charm.
  3. Filter
    82
    With Before Today, Pink achieves congruence in the album's construction, but does so without sacrificing his peculiar flair. [Spring/Summer 2010, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Boston Globe
    80
    Even better is “Round and Round,’’ with its jagged interludes and echoes of Arthur Russell. A metaphor for life as a merry-go-round, the song eventually comes into focus and ramps up into a wild roller-coaster ride. The same could be said of this exhilarating album.
  5. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Before Today is another fun Ariel Pink pop/rock record, more solidly constructed than any of his past efforts. Even more importantly, it’s also more joyously musical than most full-lengths that have been coming out in recent years, aware not of self and scene but only of the fact that music is fun and feels good.
  6. Under The Radar
    80
    Before Today, while easily his best album to date, still feels like it's just the tip of the iceberg for this staggeringly talented songwriter.
  7. musicOMH.com
    50
    No longer the challenging, lo-fi music of yore, what has arrived in its place doesn't have the individuality or character to sustain longer lasting interest.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    In my opinion the best album of 2010, not that this was a good year in music anyways, but still a great album with every song being unique andIn my opinion the best album of 2010, not that this was a good year in music anyways, but still a great album with every song being unique and still related. Arial perfects the lo-fi formula with this album improving on his previous work and finally reaching his peak to this day.… Expand
  2. rox88
    Aug 10, 2015
    10
    In my humble opinion, the best record of the decade. The lo-fi mingled noises confuse the listener into a maelstrom of memories and nostalgia,In my humble opinion, the best record of the decade. The lo-fi mingled noises confuse the listener into a maelstrom of memories and nostalgia, a lysergic trip from the past directed into the future of the music. Superficial? Irresponsible? Already heard? Maybe, but whoever expects the greatest record of the decade to perform a real shift in society may listen more carefully to the message in the final track: revolution is a lie.… Expand
  4. kaana948
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    This album is the reason why i'm obsessed with ariel pink it's so good and one of the best albums of all time with no doubt
  5. WhiteCannon
    Sep 10, 2010
    9
    Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti might seem to be a throwback to the previous decades of music, but in fact this is one of the most modern albumsAriel Pink's Haunted Graffiti might seem to be a throwback to the previous decades of music, but in fact this is one of the most modern albums to come out this year.… Expand
  6. organum
    Jul 9, 2011
    9
    One of the best album of 2010 in my opinion and one of my favourite lo-fi albums of all time. It sounds a lot like music from the eighties,One of the best album of 2010 in my opinion and one of my favourite lo-fi albums of all time. It sounds a lot like music from the eighties, but there isn't a band from the era that sounds like them.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 29, 2021
    7
    solidly constructed than any of his past efforts. Even more importantly, it’s also more joyously musical than most full-lengths that have beensolidly constructed than any of his past efforts. Even more importantly, it’s also more joyously musical than most full-lengths that have been coming out in recent years, aware not of self and scene but only of the fact that music is fun and feels good.… Expand
  8. Film_Fanatic_15
    Nov 22, 2010
    6
    It feels as if every alternative band nowadays tries to go 80's on us, and it isn't working. The album would be better off without any vocals,It feels as if every alternative band nowadays tries to go 80's on us, and it isn't working. The album would be better off without any vocals, and the rhythms are the only thing that keeps this somewhat intelligent album afloat. But hey, it works a little bit.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2010, Music

    The Best Albums of 2010

    The Best Albums of 2010 Image
    Published: January 11, 2011
    Spoiler alert: Kanye West had the best-reviewed album of 2010. But which other releases impressed critics last year? We run down the 40 highest-scoring albums, and also examine the best releases of the year in various categories.
    More »
  2. Best of 2010, Music

    2010 Music Critic Top Ten Lists [Updated Jan. 7]

    2010 Music Critic Top Ten Lists [Updated Jan. 7] Image
    Published: December 6, 2010
    Throughout the next two months, we'll be tracking the year-end Top Ten lists published by various music sites, magazines, and more. Find out which albums are currently in the running for best album of the year.
    More »
  3. Music

    June's Best New Music

    June's Best New Music Image
    Published: June 29, 2010
    Among the albums on our list of the best music released this month are the debut from Sleigh Bells and the latest from The Roots. Find out what other new albums made our list.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best Album of 2010
100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2010
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2010

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
93 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
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
89 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
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 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »