• Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2009
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Filter
    82
    It's just a series of strangely gorgeous, breezy tunes from two awkward Norwegians who continue to remind us that love can be confusing, joy dark and pain very beautiful. [Fall 2009, p.98]
  2. Percussion is nowhere to be found on the group's latest release, Declaration of Dependence, and the pair's Simon & Garfunkel-esque harmonies are less dynamic than they once were. But there are still plenty of bright spots.
  3. For the length of the album, at least, Kings Of Convenience do a standup job of convincing the listener that loud is long forgotten, and in these violent, uncertain times, quiet is king.
  4. Whether inspired by lovers, each other, or the warmongers of the world, Kings of Convenience's latest is ultimately just what its title says: a bold and beautiful assertion that we are better off together than apart.
  5. Adding drums might have spoiled the introspective and feather-light feel of the record. Anyone who's been on their bandwagon all along will be glad of that, as they'll rejoice that Declaration of Dependence turns out to be another autumnal treasure from the Kings.
  6. Declaration of Dependence is thus a welcome return from a long-absent band, and a fine easy-listening album, but one that ultimately feels emptier than its predecessors.
  7. 70
    At times, the forlorn vibe can get oppressive--'Peacetime Resistance' goes one love-as-war metaphor too far--but overall, the album is a welcome return from these princes of the bummer.
  8. The band’s determinedly bare-bones instrumentation is undeniably refreshing, with nary a drumset or piece of electronics in sight, but it also lends itself to a mild-mannered monotony that is broken up only intermittently.
  9. Declaration of Dependence offers a sense of cohesion their previous albums don’t, a complete story through melody.
  10. At least these songs have an attractive, breezy lightness, unlike the second half of the album, which sounds maudlin and burdened by the desire to express something profound.
  11. The album serves as a classic case of frontloading and one gets a sense that the first six songs would have made a better standalone EP, buying the band yet more time to craft something a little more interesting.
  12. It’s refined, poised, sweater-and-scarf music to settle down with in advance of winter’s messy hysteria.
  13. It’s dependence they’re declaring, not independence, and they’ve produced a thoroughly dependable album to ease their listeners through the bittersweet withdrawal of autumn.
  14. Mojo
    60
    At best, Oye and Boe capture loniness in a saue way and both are wonderfully fluid guitarists. But they can also be overly precious. [Nov 2009, p.92]
  15. Uncut
    60
    It's craftily composed, and on individual tracks like "24-25," sparely beautiful but cumulatively lacking some of the spice of their side-projecvct affairs. [Nov 2009, p.90]
  16. Under The Radar
    50
    All the typical Kings of Convenience ingrediants are here, but they don't add up to quite the right recipe. [Fall 2009, p.59]
  17. OK, their lightweight bossa nova songs grate, but when they go all funereal, you get great lines such as “We move like knives through scars on land.”
  18. Q Magazine
    40
    Erland Oye and Eirik Boe's voices cannon off each other appealingly enough on 'Boat Behind,' but the album drifts in the manner of nick Drake out-takes and by the time you've waded through 13 dawdling tracks, it's a struggle to recall any of them. [Nov 2009, p.109]
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Sep 7, 2020
    10
    As letras são belas e profundas conduzidas por melodias doces. Harmonias permeadas por dissonâncias, apresentadas em arranjos suaves eAs letras são belas e profundas conduzidas por melodias doces. Harmonias permeadas por dissonâncias, apresentadas em arranjos suaves e delicados. Se isso te agrada, escute esse disco. Full Review »
  2. Jan 17, 2013
    8
    On Kings Of Conveniences' "Declaration Of Dependence", they create simple, pretty pop pleasures that really struck a chord with me upon firstOn Kings Of Conveniences' "Declaration Of Dependence", they create simple, pretty pop pleasures that really struck a chord with me upon first listen. Each track is really soothing and perfect background music to a relaxing moment. All In All, Declaration is a great, beautiful at times album that really tugs at your heartstrings. Full Review »