Champ
by Tokyo Police Club
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    Slowed down and keyboarded up, these tunes make what cares they do bear seem lyrical--carefree.
  2. The A.V. Club
    83
    The push-and-pull between the desire to charge ahead and to create something deeper-presuming the latter is what they're after-makes Champ a compelling, joyous listen, especially once it's had a few spins to sink in.
  3. Clash Music
    80
    Again, like their previous work, 'Champ' is a short and sweet affair - but not one to miss or forget.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Back with less pressure, Champ packs that sweet sucker-punch we craved the first time around.
  6. musicOMH.com
    80
    Does this sophomore effort, then, live up to the expectations created by its predecessor? In most ways, yes. In others, perhaps not.
  7. Alternative Press
    80
    Tokyo Police Club retain their enthusiasm with Champ; they just want to show off the new tricks in their pony show. [Jul 1010, p.130]
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  8. Paste Magazine
    77
    Tokyo Police Club get back to doing their favorite thing: Playing their hearts out, two or three minutes at a time.
  9. Pitchfork
    76
    The new album is hardly a huge leap from Elephant Shell in most senses, but it does find TPC reaching out, growing more comfortable, and letting loose.
  10. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    75
    Champ as a whole isn't the most coherent album I've ever heard, and a maturing sound isn't the easiest thing to develop and capture on a record.
  11. cokemachineglow
    73
    Tokyo Police Club have readjusted their approach-a much leaner, Strokes-ier brand of indie rock, which allows them to continue to play to their strengths while conveniently avoiding the missteps that held them back before.
  12. Under The Radar
    70
    Champ, their second album, shows a slight advancement from Elephant Gun, with more complicated song structures and more creative instrumentation. [Summer 2010, p.86]
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  13. Drowned In Sound
    70
    With Champ they have rekindled the catchiness and immediacy of their first offering.
  14. No Ripcord
    70
    Champ sees Tokyo Police Club with a firmer grip on their sound, their vision, and their conquest; and although not destroying expectations, it makes good on a lot of the promises their earliest work showed off.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Shared Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. Deadsarow
    Jun 7, 2011
    7
    Champ isn't a bad album. It has some good songs and the vocalist has a pretty original tinge to him, but there are other songs that are just aChamp isn't a bad album. It has some good songs and the vocalist has a pretty original tinge to him, but there are other songs that are just a bit boring. But I really did enjoy the album. Not perfect by any means. But they have my attention, and I'll be listening when they release their next album!… Full Review »
  2. LuissDt
    Apr 2, 2022
    8
    Champ from Tokyo Police Club is interesting and a great album with good songs although some are not as memorable as others
  3. KateM
    Oct 8, 2010
    1
    Get this album, then delete all the songs except for Bambi and you will have one awesome album. All the others songs blend together and theGet this album, then delete all the songs except for Bambi and you will have one awesome album. All the others songs blend together and the vocals become annoying after a few listens… Full Review »
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