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Christmas Island
by
Christmas Island Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the Phoenix-based folk-punk band was produced with John Congleton.
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Top Track

Getting Naked, Playing with Guns
Getting naked and playing with guns There's a gerbil in the microwave, a baseball bat in everyone Sharing kisses and building a bomb We'll set it off... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Drowned In Sound
    May 16, 2014
    80
    Long time fans are going to lap this up while newcomers will likely be wondering where this band has been all their lives.
  2. Alternative Press
    May 7, 2014
    80
    Everyday issues like self-doubt and frustration weave their way through Christmas Island, but the album's prominent theme is also it's darkest: the death of Bonnette's grandfather [Jun 2014, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. cokemachineglow
    May 7, 2014
    80
    Christmas Island shoots you down and makes loathing the same thing as self-loathing. But it’s also inspiring to listen to.
  4. CMJ
    May 7, 2014
    70
    While the lyrics have always been one of the main highlights of every AJJ album, the ridiculous level of the lyrics on this one might stretch the tolerance of even the most dedicated fans.
  5. No Ripcord
    May 16, 2014
    70
    It’s true that a band can only write about the same topics for so long, and it is nice to see Bonnette taking his lyrical approach in a new direction, but the lack of that intensely personal touch unfortunately makes the songs on Christmas Island far less relatable than the band's past catalogue.
  6. AllMusic
    May 7, 2014
    50
    It's the kind of music that will always be polarizing, as some fans buy into it with fervor and zeal while other cringe from the first chord.
  7. PopMatters
    Jun 10, 2014
    50
    Often, maybe too often, the band’s zeal to call bullshit makes for metaphors and images that push too far.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Cobweb
    Jun 23, 2014
    10
    It's not quite as good as their previous album, Knife Man, but nothing is. Andrew Jackson Jihad are one of the best up-and-coming bands. TheirIt's not quite as good as their previous album, Knife Man, but nothing is. Andrew Jackson Jihad are one of the best up-and-coming bands. Their lyrics are brilliant, brutal, and witty.… Expand
  2. Infernexx
    May 12, 2014
    8
    Lyrics about dead infants and well just dead things surrounded by joy full singing and guitar playing.
    That's nothing new for me, but also    Lyrics about dead infants and well just dead things surrounded by joy full singing and guitar playing.
    That's nothing new for me, but also songs about life and how awful it is.
    I love Andrew Jackson Jihad and there cryptic and depressing lyrics surrounded by raw and play full music, and Christmas Island is not an exception.
    The album starts out great with 'Temple Grandin' and 'Children of God' the 3 songs that follow are pretty good too but aren't really as strong as the first 2, overall i like every song on it and i definitely going to play it a few times more before i get bored of it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Shared Album of 2014

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