Encyclopedia
by The Drums
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 3 out of 25
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  1. Ricko
    Nov 28, 2015
    8
    I loved The Drums eponymous debut but after the somewhat underwhelming "Portemento" I was in no real rush to get a hold of album number 3, "Encyclopedia". When I did eventually get around to listening to it, I was pleasantly surprised. The band maintain their mix of guitars and synth pop music but there is definitely an urgency present on this record that eluded The Drums for most ofI loved The Drums eponymous debut but after the somewhat underwhelming "Portemento" I was in no real rush to get a hold of album number 3, "Encyclopedia". When I did eventually get around to listening to it, I was pleasantly surprised. The band maintain their mix of guitars and synth pop music but there is definitely an urgency present on this record that eluded The Drums for most of "Portemento". The first 5 tracks of "Encyclopedia" sit comfortably next to their best work. It is really this first half of the album that carries the rest with "There is Nothing Left" the only true standout moment on what you would call side 2. "Encyclopedia" doesn't quite put The Drums back in front of the pack as contenders for the saviours of indie pop but it reassures us that the creative juices are still flowing.… Expand
  2. C0ncox
    Oct 9, 2015
    9
    Track Ratings:
    Magic Mountain: A-
    Can't Pretend: A I Hope Time: A+ Kiss Me Again: B Let Me: B Break My Heart: A- Face of God: A US National Park: A Deep in My Heart: B- Bell Laboratories: B+ There Is Nothing Left: A+ Wild Geese: A Great Album. A lot of people may disagree with me but this is the Drum's best album. It's really up to your opinion so give it a listen if you    Track Ratings:
    Magic Mountain: A-
    Can't Pretend: A
    I Hope Time: A+
    Kiss Me Again: B
    Let Me: B
    Break My Heart: A-
    Face of God: A
    US National Park: A
    Deep in My Heart: B-
    Bell Laboratories: B+
    There Is Nothing Left: A+
    Wild Geese: A

    Great Album. A lot of people may disagree with me but this is the Drum's best album. It's really up to your opinion so give it a listen if you haven't already.    … Collapse
  3. WadeVS
    Sep 23, 2014
    7
    Whilst The Drums retain their contradictory noir-yet-sunshiney songwriting, Encyclopedia sees the duo dig deeper and go darker. Gone are the hand clap choruses and here to stay is a band that have ensured they will not fade into oblivion.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Mojo
    Nov 7, 2014
    60
    A strand of misanthropy and musical bloody-mindedness makes for an uneven listen and feels like a band in transition. [Nov 2014, p.98]
  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 3, 2014
    60
    The model can work successfully--There IS Nothing Left recalls a sunnier, more sugary take on '80s Cure, for example--but elsewhere songs would benefit from editing. [Nov 2014, p.111]
  3. Pitchfork
    Sep 30, 2014
    59
    The Drums are at least halfway to amassing a pretty great singles comp--they just can’t really call it a Greatest Hits.
    Read full review
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