Bright Yellow Bright Orange
by The Go-Betweens
  • Record Label: Jet Set
  • Release Date: Feb 18, 2003
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Go-Betweens fans should be very happy with Bright Yellow Bright Orange and glad the band has decided to stay together and continue to make smart, exciting adult pop music.
  2. Alternative Press
    70
    Recalls the band's earliest days. [Apr 2003, p.74]
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  3. Amazon.com
    80
    Bright Yellow, Bright Orange is further proof that the second half of the Go-Betweens’ career is one well worth following.
  5. Billboard
    90
    An album of uncommon intelligence.
  6. Blender
    80
    A beautifully contained album, short in length and miniaturist in vision. [#14, p.135]
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  7. CultureDose.net
    90
    A summery pop journey, complete with mellow melodies and gentle guitars.
  8. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    This is one consistent record that will being a smile to your face; there is nothing breathtaking, but there doesn't have to be.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Smart, sitting-room songcraft barbed with bright guitars. [21 Feb 2003, p.150]
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  10. Junkmedia
    70
    Bright Yellow Bright Orange is a much better album than Friends of Rachel Worth primarily because it largely abandons the formers' modern rock ambitions for a reflective and more natural folk-rock sound.
  11. Playlouder
    80
    It's every bit as essential as any of its predecessors; completely essential, in other words.
  12. PopMatters
    80
    A lovely album, understated and tender, and indeed quite distinct from the angrier, more angular sound on Spring Hill Fair.
  13. Q Magazine
    80
    An absolute masterclass in thoughtful, emotional songwriting. [Apr 2003, p.104]
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  14. Rolling Stone
    70
    Robert Forster's and Grant McLennan's distinctly different songwriting styles mesh brilliantly here.
  15. Spin
    91
    Bright Yellow is the soundtrack for a small town, like New york, where everybody knows too much about everybody else. [May 2003, p.112]
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  16. Splendid
    80
    A mature, elegant effort, full of richness and depth.
  17. The A.V. Club
    70
    Bright Yellow almost never reaches the highs of the group's classic early albums, nor does it embarrass itself by straining to duplicate them.
  18. Uncut
    80
    Another treasure. [Mar 2003, p.95]
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Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Matt
    Apr 24, 2003
    8
    It is hard not to compare this with 'The Friends of Rachel...' and it doesn't seem to have the immediate gratifying hooks of It is hard not to compare this with 'The Friends of Rachel...' and it doesn't seem to have the immediate gratifying hooks of either. That said it does get better with each listen and in my book that's just one reason to like it all the more.… Full Review »
  2. rogerg
    Mar 8, 2003
    2
    A real disappointment after the Friends of Rachael Worth, which I thought was a career high point. FORW was solid front to back where this A real disappointment after the Friends of Rachael Worth, which I thought was a career high point. FORW was solid front to back where this album is merely a pleasant listen. Decent background music I guess. … Full Review »
  3. mauricew
    Feb 28, 2003
    9
    Melodic and intelligent, up to the standard of their best songs. No harsh inconsistencies as on the last album, "Friends Of Rachel Worth". Brilliant.
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