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Early Times Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: This is a collection of early recordings of songs that would later appear on the band's 1992's Dime Map of the Reef and 1993's The Arizona Record EPs.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Magnet
    Jul 24, 2012
    90
    Evocative bursts of noise and youth abound everywhere, and there's absolutely no reason not to succumb to them. [No.89, p.59]
  2. Jun 21, 2012
    71
    The nine tracks that made up The Arizona Record are more satisfying on their own.
  3. Jul 13, 2012
    70
    Twenty years later, this music still sounds surprising, something lo-fi groups today can't easily accomplish, while also sounding like just some dudes goofing around for fun.
  4. Mojo
    Jun 26, 2012
    60
    A dauntless spirit permeates; and while there's only fleeting evidence of Berman's later literary wit, or Makmus' skewed rock swagger... [several songs] hint at the riches to come. [Jul 2012, p.101]
  5. Jul 17, 2012
    60
    Berman and the Jews may have gotten higher-fi and easier on the ears, but never more casually charismatic and deeply urban.
  6. Jun 28, 2012
    60
    This is not a diamond in the rough as much as it is a piece of carbon that might, with extreme pressure and effort, turn into something someday.
  7. Jun 20, 2012
    40
    This record is essentially a minor curiosity, akin to the publication of the band members' childhood drawings--occasionally interesting within context but unsatisfactory and fruitless in itself.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of