Blue Songs
by Hercules & Love Affair
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. NOW Magazine
    Aug 19, 2011
    60
    His arrangements sometimes outshine his melodies and lyrics, though. Whereas the first album packed an emotional wallop, the enjoyment of this one is in its details.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Aug 17, 2011
    60
    A lot of the miffed disappointment could come from the fact that Butler pulled the rug out from under his solidified, circa-2008 sound, but if nothing else the new incarnation is a lot harder to fall in love wit
  3. Dusted Magazine
    Aug 17, 2011
    60
    Maybe Butler was aiming higher than simply "dance music." A laudable ambition, but one that sadly isn't matched by the content of Blue Songs.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Aug 16, 2011
    60
    Like Arthur Russell, the late disco visionary whose work his music recalls, Andy Butler makes club jams that transcend the club.
  6. Mojo
    Apr 4, 2011
    60
    While there's an invigorating charm to Blue Songs, you're left concluding that it lacks its predecessor's USP. [Feb 2011, p.108]
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  7. Q Magazine
    Mar 1, 2011
    60
    The conveyor belt of vocalists means an album-long identity crisis, but there are good things here. [Feb 2011, p.117]
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  8. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 14, 2011
    60
    Given that it's for dancing, Butler's production tends toward the cool--even plodding--but his polishing up of 20-year-old stylistic tics still entertains.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Feb 14, 2011
    60
    what's missing is that nagging vocal that hovers somewhere between sublime and corrosive, as so many of the great performances in dance music have.
  10. Filter
    Aug 22, 2011
    58
    Blue Songs is a sophisticated and club-ready sophomore effort, even if--at times--it nearly crumbles under the weight of its own decadence and self-indulgences.
  11. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 15, 2011
    55
    The entire album seems either completely uninspired or absolutely rushed.
  12. Consequence
    Aug 10, 2011
    50
    Even a few shiny remixes can't save a floundering sophomore album like this one.
  13. The Guardian
    Feb 14, 2011
    40
    Its successor, Blue Songs, is also composed of immaculately produced house and disco, but the two most charismatic vocalists from the last go-round, Antony Hegarty and Nomi Ruiz, are absent – as, for the most part, are the songs.

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. hydrawithears
    Oct 23, 2011
    4
    Hercules and Love Affair are the people responsible for one of the greatest albums of 2008 and the best debut of that year. Itâ
  2. musicmaster2273
    Aug 17, 2011
    7
    This album is definitely an album that fits well outside of the club. Andy Butler has a great musical mind that goes beyond one type of music.This album is definitely an album that fits well outside of the club. Andy Butler has a great musical mind that goes beyond one type of music. The Most interesting song from this album has probably got to be the song "step up" but the different vocalists all sound great as well. It gets a 7/10 from me because even though it was decent, it didn't push any musical boundaries or show us anything totally new or different.… Full Review »
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