• Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: Oct 12, 2004
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    With Crimes, the Bloods have built the sturdiest bridge between the hardcore underground and indie-rock elitists. [Nov 2004, p.144]
  2. Spin
    91
    Savage punk rock that shifts and shakes like the bleachers during a homecoming orgy. [Jan 2005, p.98]
  3. It’s got something for everyone, providing everyone is at least a little fucked in the head.
  4. Despite it being a massive departure from their previous efforts, there is almost nothing to dislike about Crimes.
  5. But the use of the twin-pronged vocal attack as an instrument in its own right is never relied upon to be the sole weapon in Blood Brothers' arsenal. Intelligence is mirrored in the deployment of the music behind it.
  6. Crimes is guilty of nothing save exhibiting the sound of a band that clearly isn't finished evolving.
  7. While most of the songs on Crimes stand out as being extremely well written musically and lyrically, the production needs an extra mention for being flawless.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's full-on rock carnage. [6 Nov 2004, p.59]
  9. Their most musically adventurous yet artistically grounded record to date.
  10. Ultimately, the Brothers' forays into new styles and a slower pace equal something like a more listenable, more thoughtful, more cohesive version of Burn.
  11. Crimes is the latest in an evolution that has seen the band complicate their sound without losing any of the confrontational nature or acerbic tone of their previous efforts.
  12. Urb
    80
    They rant and roil through aggressive blasts of adrenaline and youth... like their nads are on fire. [Jan/Feb 2005, p.94]
  13. Crimes keeps a tight lid on the nervous energy that's always defined the group, channeling it into aggressive songs that often suggest the damaged, exciting grooves of vintage Brainiac.
  14. Crimes is nothing but poetry, poetry in that way that song lyrics never are, profound both on page and in song.
  15. In terms of a go-to disc for a pissed off stomp around the bedroom, it’s the finest album I’ve heard this year.
  16. I actually find it kind of funny that the group has managed to land on a large label with this release, because even though it's a bit more polished sounding than anything they've done before, I simply can't imagine anything on "Crimes" playing on anything other than college radio.
  17. Yes, the Brothers still overuse lyrical gore the way the Evil Dead series did Kero syrup, but their sonic pace and intensity has somewhat slowed.
  18. Blender
    70
    Strangely compelling. [Nov 2004, p.129]
  19. Burn Piano Island, Burn was something approaching a masterpiece and Crimes doesn’t live up to its lofty standard.
  20. An album meant to enrage, amuse and enliven.
  21. The best production values a major-label budget can buy make everything on Crimes as clear as a bell, which helps. This clarity elevates what could have easily been a sonic muddle into an album that bears repeat listenings.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 39
  3. Negative: 4 out of 39
  1. RhysS
    Jul 22, 2007
    9
    pure genius. unfiltered mayhem. the greatest band you have never heard of.
  2. BrandonM
    Jan 19, 2007
    1
    I like that it's different, but hate the vocals. My twin brother loves it and punishes me by playing this album constantly. Trust me- I like that it's different, but hate the vocals. My twin brother loves it and punishes me by playing this album constantly. Trust me- lots of music grows on me over time. This never has. Full Review »
  3. Andy
    Aug 16, 2006
    9
    Amazing. Like nothing you'll ever hear.