Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Magnet
    Feb 21, 2014
    90
    Despite the heavy sonic resemblance, this road map back lands Jurado and Swift someplace new, slightly more thematic and worlds more dramatic. [No. 106, p.60]
  2. Jan 24, 2014
    90
    Taken as a whole, Brothers and Sisters is a remarkable piece of work. It easily outclasses the two previous Jurado/Swift collaborations, and makes a strong opening bid for one of 2014’s best albums.
  3. Uncut
    Jan 15, 2014
    90
    Gone are the stark acoustics of his noughties output, replaced instead by a layered warmth and gorgeous, semi-orchestral settings that make him sound like a spiritual descendant of early '70s Laurel Canyon. [Feb 2014, p.77]
  4. Jan 15, 2014
    90
    The singer's delivery is more pliant than it's ever been, moving from the hushed echo-chamber whispers of "Silver Malcolm" to the fuzzed-out shouts of "Jericho Road." But the real magic is in the melancholy appeal of his daydream, what he calls his "temporary Earth" in "Magic Number," and the persistent possibility of revelation that Jurado catalogues with grim bravado and wry hope.
  5. Jan 21, 2014
    86
    The lyrics here are heavy with religious, dream-like symbolism as he details the journey of his character while allowing everyone to have their own interpretation of what the man finds and encounters in the wilderness. If there’s one word to describe Brothers and Sisters, it’s “energetic.
  6. Q Magazine
    Jan 28, 2014
    80
    Jurado has an eagerness to experiment and independence of thought that spills into his characters, and it's very good look on them all. [Feb 2014, p.116]
  7. Mojo
    Jan 23, 2014
    80
    On this form, long may Damian Jurado stay lost. [Feb 2014, p.88]
  8. Jan 23, 2014
    80
    There's really nothing to criticise on Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son; it's Damien Jurado's strongest album to date.
  9. Jan 21, 2014
    80
    With Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son, Damien Jurado has created an album at least in part about the processes of artistic creation and interpretation—temporary earths that point to something eternal.
  10. Jan 21, 2014
    80
    This album continues the colorful and reaching work of the albums that preceded it, and if this pairing of Swift's deft production and Jurado's risk-taking songwriting continues, even greater things are on the horizon than these already gorgeous songs.
  11. Jan 16, 2014
    80
    Sure, stripped-down, acoustic versions of the songs could’ve worked, but with help from producer Richard Swift, they’re fleshed out into psychedelic dreams dappled with field recordings, Latin guitar and Jurado’s serene vocals, raising existential questions that don’t quite get answered.
  12. Jan 15, 2014
    80
    While Jurado’s music has, on occasion, seemed a little slight, this is an endearingly ambitious, somewhat unexpected folk-rock triumph.
  13. Jan 15, 2014
    80
    Whilst mainstream success is unlikely, the cult appeal of Damien Jurado continues to cause those that do listen to sit up and take note.
  14. Jan 23, 2014
    76
    If the concept-album aspect of Maraqopa was a stretch, it’s undeniable this time around.
  15. Jan 24, 2014
    70
    While musically this is nothing groundbreaking, the simple fact remains: Damien Jurado is very, very good for the soul.
  16. 70
    Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son bills itself as a concept album, a road movie with no end, but the songs are tight, the meaning incidental and any big ideas play second fiddle to bewitching tunes and delicate harmonies.
  17. 70
    Thematically, it can seem like a little bit of a kitchen sink job in places, but there’s certainly no shortage of crushingly safe folk songwriters at present; in fact, Jurado’s disregard for convention and appetite for reinvention stick out like a sore thumb amongst the output of many of his contemporaries.
  18. Jan 21, 2014
    67
    Brothers and Sisters shows the songwriter at his most adventurous, aspiring for something bigger in a new direction.
  19. Jan 24, 2014
    60
    Tracks like Silver Timothy and Silver Joy showcase what Jurado does best, crafting songs that despite being a bit gloomy are beautiful and heartfelt.
  20. Jan 21, 2014
    60
    There's a very definite sag in the middle of the album--but this is another enjoyable set.
  21. Jan 21, 2014
    60
    All in all, it makes for a rich and resilient brew, and maybe, just maybe, the kind of opus that will propel Jurado towards the greater accolades he so clearly deserves.
  22. Jan 16, 2014
    60
    The dub-littered textures and conceptual frameworks are admirable in their artistic reach, but Jurado’s greatest strengths are found at his most stripped back on Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son. Not coincidentally, the songs which he presents with least decoration are the songs which bear the closest scrutiny.
  23. 58
    Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son is long on atmospherics, but woefully short on songs.
  24. 40
    It’s pleasant enough, but let down by Jurado’s unengaging vocals.
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Feb 7, 2014
    10
    Never given Jurado extensive discography enough time. This album made me listen. Incredible production from Richard Swift elevates this fromNever given Jurado extensive discography enough time. This album made me listen. Incredible production from Richard Swift elevates this from your standard singer songwriter fare - its wild. Jurado's voice & songwriting of course brilliant too. Strange, beautiful sounds. Will be one of the records of the year. Full Review »
  2. Jan 22, 2014
    8
    80/100

    This album is filled to the brim with energetic instrumentation and songwriting. Damien Jurado really shows his versatility with
    80/100

    This album is filled to the brim with energetic instrumentation and songwriting. Damien Jurado really shows his versatility with music in general with Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son. My biggest complaint, however, is the production is quite hazy. Overuse of reverb really bogs the album down in places, especially on songs like Return to Maraqopa - otherwise a great song, but the fogginess of the production really brings it down a notch. If it was more minimalistic - not in instrumentation, but in production - this would have been a more enjoyable listen. Still, Jurado's songwriting abilities are hard to deny, and this is a very enjoyable record.
    Full Review »