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Chinese Fountain Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the fifth full-length release from the self-described "beach goth" California band.
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  • Record Label: Everloving
  • Genre(s): Alt-Country, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Surf Revival
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Top Track

Love Test
Says I don't how you'll find love in LA They don't make them like they do in the country The city moves too fast to appreciate All the time it takes... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Oct 28, 2014
    80
    It is the combination of vibrant, light-hearted instrumentation and intelligent lyrics that make Chinese Fountain one of the best guitar albums of the year.
  2. Sep 29, 2014
    80
    Chinese Fountain really is everything that you would expect from these beach grungers, but it’s still fantastically unique and sparkles delightfully with fun and a sheer honesty.
  3. 80
    Ultimately, the Growlers’ sunny disposition and incredibly natural, economical style of songcraft carries them through Chinese Fountain, an album which manages the impressive feat of leaving the listener both utterly satisfied and hungry for more.
  4. Sep 29, 2014
    75
    Chinese Fountain, while remaining true to the band’s “beach goth” essence, is blessedly direct, with sharper songwriting and engaging melodies at the center of every song.
  5. Oct 1, 2014
    75
    Ultimately, Chinese Fountain is a turning point. In a way, this is their most divisive record, the first time fans will have something to disagree over.
  6. Mojo
    Nov 7, 2014
    60
    Their nostalgic lo-fi jangle and reverb surf guitars sound, weirdly, like a SoCal version of The Coral, with synths. [Nov 2014, p.102]
  7. Sep 30, 2014
    50
    The band's laconic, devil-may-care charm is evident throughout the 11-track set, but they seemingly lacked the follow-through to ensure that their deal with the cloven-hoofed and bifurcated-tailed swindler included the ability to conjure up some hooks.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Mar 7, 2018
    10
    [PT-BR] Esse álbum é incrível de mais! O jeito como growlers consegue misturar o "Surf Rock" com a "Psicodelia" aqui ficou extremamente[PT-BR] Esse álbum é incrível de mais! O jeito como growlers consegue misturar o "Surf Rock" com a "Psicodelia" aqui ficou extremamente maravilhoso, sem falar das belissimas letras de Brooks Nielsen. Expand
  2. Dec 25, 2015
    9
    A more clean and typically produced album from Los Growlers, a move away from the home recorded tape sound they had been using. The charm isA more clean and typically produced album from Los Growlers, a move away from the home recorded tape sound they had been using. The charm is still there though, and if anything The Growlers musical development and capabilities are shown off more than they would be on a rougher recording. Brooks Nielsen's lyrics are fantastic and he is surely one of the most underrated lyricists going, as well as his soulful yet gritty vocals. They seem to create a dark atmosphere from something that could be so surf-pop, which is what makes this album their own - creating something truly original. Collapse