Coming On Strong
by Hot Chip
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Spin
    91
    An impressive balancing act that name-checks Ween and cracks wise about Stevie Wonder's vision while spinning bighearted melodies and harmonies over quirky beatscapes. [Jan 2005, p.89]
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  2. Uncut
    90
    Restlessly inventive, Hot Chip also manage what many bedroom eclectics don't: crafting a genuinely organic, proper album, and the relaxed enthusiasm that drives this debut is absurdly infectious. [Jun 2004, p.94]
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  3. Amazon.com
    90
    Their songs are infectious, silly and often weirdly beautiful.
  5. BBC collective
    80
    Preposterous, touching and brilliant.
  6. Pitchfork
    80
    [It] comes off at first like slight pop-- novelty even. But extended listens reveal a goofy sincerity and romantic insouciance.
  7. Under The Radar
    80
    Towards the end, the IDM glitches in the beats become slightly repetitive, but repeated spins reward with some real knee-slappin' revelations. [#12, p.96]
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  8. cokemachineglow
    78
    This is essentially the recipe for Coming on Strong: booze, dance, white-boy rap, sleepiness, and a list of influences that spans your favorite records of the last three decades and your favorite hip-hop singles of the last three months.
  9. Billboard
    70
    The utilization of American hip-hop scenarios in the context of the English slang is exactly what makes "Coming On Strong" such a unique listen.
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  10. Prefix Magazine
    70
    Coming on Strong is one smooth record; even with all the glitch, all the bleeps and bloops, and all of the genre bending, it never leaves any residue behind.
  11. Playlouder
    60
    A joyously audacious opening salvo.
  12. AllMusic
    50
    This is endearing -- Hot Chip's sense of humor is as contagious as their knack for reinvention is obvious. But those traits can't make Coming on Strong sound any less unfinished or even tossed off at times.
  13. Stylus Magazine
    42
    Fans of novelty pop and slapdash spunk will undoubtedly enjoy their debut record, Coming on Strong; for those who prefer their records a little less morning-breath, you’ll smell this one’s approach and smother the light with a pillow.
  14. Alternative Press
    40
    Could pass for a set of lo-fi synth demos Sir Paul McCartney cooked up one long weekend for shits and giggles. [Feb 2006, p.130]
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  15. PopMatters
    30
    At its best, Coming on Strong sounds like a lukewarm Postal Service, and at its worst it sounds like Goldie Lookin' Chain.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. LC
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    One of the better albums to come out in 05. Takes awhile to grow on you but...the end result is something amazing and unique. Excellent album!
  2. EduardoO
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite albums of 2005. This is smart people making music and I appreciate that, do you? If so, get it, you'll love it.
  3. TrekD
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    This is some of the best electronica I've heard in recent years. These guys know what there doing!Just amazing! Buy this album, right now!
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