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Below The Branches Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The San Francisco-based psych-rock solo artist returns with a third full-length.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. It is quite possibly Stoltz's best work ever, and certainly one of the landmark releases of 2006.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Retro lo-fi pop-rock, dressed in pounded parlor-room piano chords and psych-folk filigree. [10 Feb 2006, p.134]
  3. Below The Branches is, maybe, the first perfect summertime album, absolutely brimming with brightness and charm.
  4. Rates among the best releases of early 2006.
  5. The New York Times
    70
    In concise, perpetually tuneful songs, his voice echoes the slouchy charm of the Kinks' Ray Davies, while the sun-dazed reverberations of the Beach Boys meet the music-hall bounce of the Beatles. [6 Feb 2006]
  6. Stoltz's musicianship and songwriting are engaging and technically inspired while remaining loose and comfortable. It's just there are too many obvious references.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. KyleZ
    May 11, 2007
    10
    I saw Stoltz live opening for the Raconteurs last July. I have been listening to this album ever since.
  2. thadw
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    one of 2006 best!
  3. ThidwickBigheartedmoose
    May 9, 2006
    9
    wobbly singing, gorgeous melodies, sloppy production, beautiful harmonies, everything you want in a record!
  4. AllawahF
    Mar 12, 2006
    8
    Although the refrences are obvious, beach boys, velevt underground, john lennon Stoltz has put together an incredible album filled with Although the refrences are obvious, beach boys, velevt underground, john lennon Stoltz has put together an incredible album filled with sunshine humour and killer melodies. I love the guitar playing on this album, especially on my favourite track 'words' another key track is 'summer's easy feeling' which has the best melody of the album. I would recommend this to people who enjoy acid folk, revolver, pet sounds, and white light/white heat. enjoy Expand