Carry on the Grudge
by Jamie T
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - 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
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  1. AllMusic
    Dec 17, 2014
    80
    Shame he's keeping a twice-a-decade pace, but this album should stick to the bones for twice that long, likely longer.
  2. Mojo
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    This is a record that rewards digging into Treays' melodic moods and lyrical follies. It is also a staggering collection of exceptional songs. [Oct 2014, p.86]
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  3. Q Magazine
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    Jamie Treays has come back fighting and fighting brilliantly. [Nov 2014, p.117]
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  5. The Guardian
    Oct 10, 2014
    60
    Carry on the Grudge exposes the limits of what Treays can do. But there are other moments, and more of them, where it suggests that behind the affectations lurks something quite prosaic but quite potent: at his best, he’s a really good songwriter.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 10, 2014
    85
    Carry On The Grudge could so easily buckle under the weight of expectation. As it is, it feels like the most natural of follow-ups.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 10, 2014
    60
    Carry on the Grudge is a big step up in craftsmanship, but at no point do you feel this London troubadour might stray into realms as high as another London product of the Clash, grime poetics and the US--King Krule--does.
  8. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    His long gestating third album is every bit as fantastic as earlier offerings, stuffed with narratives of contemporary bohemian life; wordy, free-flowing verses giving way to singalong choruses, spiced up with perky, lateral hooks.
  9. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Oct 10, 2014
    85
    Full of tenderness and vulnerability yet also razor-sharp and raucous moments, it makes the record even more charming due to the relatable nature of the constant battle with internal monologues.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    Carry On the Grudge manoeuvres around post-adolescence with expertise. The void might exist, but at least now Jamie T is back there's someone to share the pain with.
  11. musicOMH.com
    Oct 10, 2014
    90
    Jamie T bares his soul on Carry On The Grudge to the point that, by the end, it’s almost impossible not to love him for it.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. davim
    Mar 7, 2015
    9
    A quite remarkable comeback from Jamie T, who had been out of the music business for nearly 5 years up to this point. This album takes aA quite remarkable comeback from Jamie T, who had been out of the music business for nearly 5 years up to this point. This album takes a different approach to his previous work and it seem's Jamie has switched his bass for a guitar. The majority of the songs go for the simplicity approach, with relatively simple chord progressions and punchy, catchy choruses. For me, going back to basics has proved to be a fantastic approach for Jamie T to take. Songs like 'Don't You Find', 'Mary Lee' and 'Love Is Only a Heartbeat Away' are relatively simple but effective and focus upon themes loneliness and desperation. Other tracks such as the lead single 'Zombie' and 'Rabbit Hole' are much more upbeat and provide a great contrast to the slower numbers.

    Definitely recommend this album. People have been asking the question of what Jamie T has been up to over the last few years? Answer: he's doing what he does best, writing exceptional songs.    … Full Review »
  2. benrankel
    Oct 20, 2014
    9
    This album sounds quite a bit different from previous Jamie T. But it's the sort of different that you want. It's interesting and engaging.This album sounds quite a bit different from previous Jamie T. But it's the sort of different that you want. It's interesting and engaging. Jamie T is an immensely skilled musician.… Full Review »
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