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Dance on the Blacktop
by
Dance on the Blacktop Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Philadelphia shoegaze band led by Domenic Palermo was produced by John Agnello.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. The A.V. Club
    Aug 24, 2018
    83
    While much of the album intermixes the gritty and the gorgeous with all the economy of an Anton Corbijn photo, there are moments of open-hearted purity, too. But unlike just about every other band on earth, NOTHING is at its best when it closes itself off and spins into oblivion.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 28, 2018
    80
    The album’s about accepting that joy often stands side by side with pain. No, it’s not a wild departure from its predecessors, though it’s no less powerful for that.
  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Aug 30, 2018
    80
    Not only do they bring back their best traits, Nothing absolutely perfects a diverse sound they've been trying to nail for some time. Not that they were bad at it, quite the opposite, but here, refining and honing finally pays off.
  4. Pitchfork
    Aug 29, 2018
    71
    Dance on the Blacktop is music at the edge of Hodson’s “everything.” Its theme might be resolve, tenacity, or redemption itself--the sound of hitting rock bottom, looking up, and still catching a glimpse of beauty above.
  5. No Ripcord
    Oct 19, 2018
    70
    Dance is best enjoyed when you accept its familiar pleasures--it bursts with pure deliverance, coming from a band that refuses to hang in life support.
  6. PopMatters
    Aug 29, 2018
    70
    The album shows a heavier interests in riffs as opposed to just soaring chords and lengthy grooves. In the end, Dance on the Blacktop, comes off as a homage to the best of early '90s alternative rock.
  7. The Skinny
    Aug 21, 2018
    60
    While Dance On the Blacktop is a fair attempt at taking forward their sound, unfortunately, it feels more like a regression.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. charliequaker
    Feb 23, 2019
    10
    The 3rd album from this Philadelphia band combines dreamy vocal harmonies with the celestial rage of shoegaze/metal guitar noise—mixing beautyThe 3rd album from this Philadelphia band combines dreamy vocal harmonies with the celestial rage of shoegaze/metal guitar noise—mixing beauty and muscle to devastating effect. There are absolutely gorgeous melodies here, epic strains that ride to the heavens in explosive grandeur—then quietly return to the solace of earthly warmth to finally rise up again in a resplendent eruption of angelic feedback. Includes members from Whirr, Death Of Lovers, Horror Show, XO Skeletons, Night Sins, Salvation, Camera Shy. Reminiscent of bands like My Bloody Valentine, Weed, Slowdive, Jesu, Whirr, Ringo Deathstarr, Six By Seven, Swervedriver, Radiohead, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. Possibly their strongest album so far, Nothing’s “Dance On The Blacktop” soars with a powerful blast of effulgent melodic strength to create metallic dream music that you can bask in or pound nails with. Recommended.… Expand
  2. nivv
    Mar 7, 2019
    7
    An album that embraces and finds beauty in its ugliness. Nothing combine the spirits of Guilt and Tired to storm up a melodic and heavyAn album that embraces and finds beauty in its ugliness. Nothing combine the spirits of Guilt and Tired to storm up a melodic and heavy catharsis. Not every song here is a classic, but every song fits perfectly in this messy and broken home.… Expand
  4. Evae
    Sep 8, 2018
    3
    After hearing Tired of Tomorrow, I became an instant fan of Nothing. I really enjoy their first two albums, but Dance on the Blacktop doesn'tAfter hearing Tired of Tomorrow, I became an instant fan of Nothing. I really enjoy their first two albums, but Dance on the Blacktop doesn't cut it at all. It lacks motivation, production value, and the songwriting chops I heard from previous albums… Expand

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