Flaws
by Bombay Bicycle Club
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jul 13, 2010
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    They've proved themselves to be a band who defy convention with an album stuffed full of subtle invention and an emotional intensity that you really wouldn't expect from a band still too young to grow a beard between them.
  2. Uncut
    80
    These boys have genuine pedigree--guitarist Jamie's grandpa was Ewan MacColl--and the confident acoustic textures and fingerpicking styles on display here show a real affection for folk traditions. [Aug 2010, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. BBC Music
    70
    Steadman's vocal stands out--its tremulous quality may be a hangover from, as the story goes, embarrassment at being overheard singing as a kid, but it heightens the sense of an authentically troubled spirit exorcising his demons in the quietly devastating manner of a Nick Drake.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. KateM
    Jan 15, 2011
    2
    The album cover reflects the mood of the album- and the listener. Bored. Depressed. Lifeless. Ivy and Gold is pretty much the only good trackThe album cover reflects the mood of the album- and the listener. Bored. Depressed. Lifeless. Ivy and Gold is pretty much the only good track on the record, everything else lacks the vibe and spirit that Bombay Bicycle Club oozed with in their debut… Full Review »
  2. sam3lmi
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    Like many great albums, and make no mistakes, this album is worthy of that title, people will return to this album and wonder why this wasn'tLike many great albums, and make no mistakes, this album is worthy of that title, people will return to this album and wonder why this wasn't acclaimed at the time.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Oct 3, 2014
    6
    "Flaws" gets away with a lot due to its acoustic nature - any criticism can be tempered by throwing out "change of direction" or "risk" etc."Flaws" gets away with a lot due to its acoustic nature - any criticism can be tempered by throwing out "change of direction" or "risk" etc. Such an approach is a cop out. As an exclusively acoustic record, its decent but as a BBC records it is a so-so follow up to their strong debut. Very little seriously engaged me here but the vocals and instrumentation are good enough to keep me listening through to the end. Almost like a demo or out-takes album really.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »