For the First Time
by
For the First Time Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the British septet was recorded live over seven days with producer Andy Savours.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 8, 2021
    100
    If the interplay between the band’s instruments makes gleeful mincemeat of genre, singing guitarist Isaac Wood’s equally remarkable lyrics regularly float to the top of the mix. Half-spoken, half-sung, they riff on granular scene references (“I told you I loved you in front of Black Midi”) and Gen-Z witticisms, but pack in plenty of timeless tenderness and anomie.
  2. Clash Music
    Feb 1, 2021
    90
    A product of its time, it will unsettle and confuse you, and there are even moments that feel poignant. That is why they will be remembered as an important band, and this album a significant milestone in modern guitar music.
  3. PopMatters
    Feb 5, 2021
    90
    For the First Time maintains a well-tempered intensity refined in its delivery but honest in its angst. Black Country, New Road show us what a "rock band" or "rock outfit" can achieve on their debut. For those bands labeled as experimental, we now have an expectation and a new benchmark.
  4. Exclaim
    Feb 2, 2021
    80
    The meshing of classically trained and self-taught players adds depth to the band's sound, creating a unique concoction of precise technical skill and raw, almost primal passion, leading to an unpredictable instrumental delight.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Feb 5, 2021
    75
    Black Country, New Road showcases immense disregard for standard musical structures and an affinity for shrieking, discordant noise. Unlike their peers, they rely less frequently on jolting stops and starts, instead relying on gradual jazz and post-rock buildups.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 5, 2021
    74
    They delivered neither a classic nor an embarrassing flop that revealed them as a flavour-of-the-week fancy, but just a pretty good album with room to improve.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 4, 2021
    40
    It just feels tedious and predictable. Portentous twangs of guitar? Tick. Shivery percussion? Tick. Screeches of feedback? Tick. A frontman who delivers lyrics (rambling prose) in a croaky, squawking gasp that recalls Mark E Smith? Tick.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. TobyT2003
    Feb 7, 2021
    10
    Album blew me away on first listen, but I was disappointed with the lyric changes, particularly in Athens, France. However, the more youAlbum blew me away on first listen, but I was disappointed with the lyric changes, particularly in Athens, France. However, the more you listen and become used to these new lyrics it becomes more familiar and hits all the same boxes they used to and were expected to. A phenomenal album.… Expand
  2. BigBeatle
    Feb 5, 2021
    10
    Amazing and fresh. Not much else to say. A very great and outstanding record that you can tell will become a tough competition for any newAmazing and fresh. Not much else to say. A very great and outstanding record that you can tell will become a tough competition for any new bands that follow a similar style. Enjoyed listening to it the first time, and will only grow stronger as time goes on.… Expand
  4. RomuloVilela
    Feb 9, 2021
    9
    May not be for everyone, but it is creative, original and honest. That is always a victory.
  5. Dear_Watson
    Feb 16, 2021
    9
    This is such an interesting record from a fan stand-point, its kind of hard to write a review on it. Athens, France and Sunglasses have someThis is such an interesting record from a fan stand-point, its kind of hard to write a review on it. Athens, France and Sunglasses have some pretty significant changes compared to the single versions for starters which I for one was not expecting especially since Sunglasses came off as nearly a masterpiece on the single and could have stayed as a strong fronting song. That being said which of the versions are better is kind of hard to pin down. Sunglasses has a more defeated tone at the beginning that transitions into unhinged and gives the song a VERY different message from the single mix. The newly added songs like Track X and Science Fair are great new songs from the band for just casual listening too, and the instrumental track really lets the band show what they can do. Overall its an amazing album, and if you haven't given it a listen through I very much recommend it!… Expand
  6. Jimpus_Relly
    Feb 5, 2021
    8
    Hearkens back to similar groups, such as Squid.
    The Independent said their "determined intellectualism is...to their detriment", and it's a    Hearkens back to similar groups, such as Squid.
    The Independent said their "determined intellectualism is...to their detriment", and it's a very agreeable statement. Much of the album feels as if the seven-piece tried their hardest to 'appear' intellectual, and they more often than not hit the mark (at least instrumentally). Altogether, the record is very enjoyable and only gets better as you make your way through it, no doubt revealing more secrets and perspectives with each consecutive listen.
    Highlights: Sunglasses & Track X.    … Expand
  7. zestboi
    Feb 12, 2021
    7
    Every song had its own uniqueness to it, and led to an overall solid album, but I'm having a hard time caring.
  8. YTCODYHIH
    Feb 5, 2021
    3
    There is nothing original, exciting or particularly intelligent about this record. Boy, are they annoying though. They are trying so hard toThere is nothing original, exciting or particularly intelligent about this record. Boy, are they annoying though. They are trying so hard to be all of those things, it took some getting through for me.… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2021
9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2021

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