Big Red Machine
by Big Red Machine
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. TPhy
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    Incredible album from Justin Vernon and Aaron Desner. How it hasn’t gotten higher marks is beyond my understanding.
  2. Ricko
    Jun 3, 2020
    8
    As a huge fan of both artists' work, I was always going to own this album. "Big Red Machine" is not an immediate record but after half a dozen listens it starts to stick in the memory. There is no career defining song here from Dessner or Vernon but there is a sense of freedom to the material that you would only get from a side project shorn of the normal pressure of expectation that comesAs a huge fan of both artists' work, I was always going to own this album. "Big Red Machine" is not an immediate record but after half a dozen listens it starts to stick in the memory. There is no career defining song here from Dessner or Vernon but there is a sense of freedom to the material that you would only get from a side project shorn of the normal pressure of expectation that comes with new releases from Bon Iver and The National. It is an understated listen with much to discover underneath the hood. Had this been an EP, it would probably be more impressive but I would have been screaming out for an album. As it is, "Big Red Machine" have brought us an album that is interesting rather than essential listening but certainly a record that I can return to.… Expand
  3. Fra101
    Mar 2, 2022
    10
    This album is a perfect example of what can happen when songwriting and vocal powerhouses get together and lightening strikes.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Uncut
    Sep 18, 2018
    80
    These 10 songs are intimate, graceful and surprisingly hooky. [Oct 2018, p.24]
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 7, 2018
    64
    Big Red Machine is an exercise in expectation and follow-through, and in how throwing a bunch of good ideas at a song doesn’t make a good song, nor a bunch of great tracks onto vinyl wax a great album.
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  3. The New York Times
    Sep 5, 2018
    70
    Each track is in constant flux: unstable within, permeable from all directions, buffeted and trying to cope. As are we all. Somehow, there’s comfort in that discomfort.
    Read full review
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